pelion-example-frdm - Example

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Mayank Gupta / Mbed OS pelion-example-frdm

Example

simple-mbed-cloud-client/TESTS/COMMON/elizabeth.txt@0:11cc2b7889af, 2019-11-19 (annotated)

Committer:: maygup01
Date:: Tue Nov 19 09:49:38 2019 +0000
Revision:: 0:11cc2b7889af

Example

Who changed what in which revision?

User	Revision	Line number	New contents of line
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1	The Project Gutenberg EBook of Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3	This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4	almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5	re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6	with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9	Title: Pride and Prejudice
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11	Author: Jane Austen
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	13	Posting Date: August 26, 2008 [EBook #1342]
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	14	Release Date: June, 1998
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	15	Last Updated: October 17, 2016
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	16
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	17	Language: English
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	18
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	19	Character set encoding: UTF-8
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	20
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	21	* START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PRIDE AND PREJUDICE *
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	22
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	23
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	24
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	25
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	26	Produced by Anonymous Volunteers
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	27
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	28
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	29
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	30
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	31
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	32	PRIDE AND PREJUDICE
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	33
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	34	By Jane Austen
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	35
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	36
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	37
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	38	Chapter 1
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	39
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	40
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	41	It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	42	of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	43
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	44	However little known the feelings or views of such a man may be on his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	45	first entering a neighbourhood, this truth is so well fixed in the minds
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	46	of the surrounding families, that he is considered the rightful property
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	47	of some one or other of their daughters.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	48
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	49	“My dear Mr. Bennet,” said his lady to him one day, “have you heard that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	50	Netherfield Park is let at last?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	51
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	52	Mr. Bennet replied that he had not.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	53
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	54	“But it is,” returned she; “for Mrs. Long has just been here, and she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	55	told me all about it.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	56
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	57	Mr. Bennet made no answer.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	58
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	59	“Do you not want to know who has taken it?” cried his wife impatiently.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	60
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	61	“_You_ want to tell me, and I have no objection to hearing it.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	62
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	63	This was invitation enough.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	64
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	65	“Why, my dear, you must know, Mrs. Long says that Netherfield is taken
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	66	by a young man of large fortune from the north of England; that he came
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	67	down on Monday in a chaise and four to see the place, and was so much
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	68	delighted with it, that he agreed with Mr. Morris immediately; that he
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	69	is to take possession before Michaelmas, and some of his servants are to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	70	be in the house by the end of next week.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	71
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	72	“What is his name?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	73
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	74	“Bingley.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	75
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	76	“Is he married or single?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	77
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	78	“Oh! Single, my dear, to be sure! A single man of large fortune; four or
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	79	five thousand a year. What a fine thing for our girls!”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	80
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	81	“How so? How can it affect them?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	82
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	83	“My dear Mr. Bennet,” replied his wife, “how can you be so tiresome! You
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	84	must know that I am thinking of his marrying one of them.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	85
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	86	“Is that his design in settling here?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	87
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	88	“Design! Nonsense, how can you talk so! But it is very likely that he
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	89	_may_ fall in love with one of them, and therefore you must visit him as
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	90	soon as he comes.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	91
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	92	“I see no occasion for that. You and the girls may go, or you may send
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	93	them by themselves, which perhaps will be still better, for as you are
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	94	as handsome as any of them, Mr. Bingley may like you the best of the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	95	party.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	96
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	97	“My dear, you flatter me. I certainly _have_ had my share of beauty, but
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	98	I do not pretend to be anything extraordinary now. When a woman has five
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	99	grown-up daughters, she ought to give over thinking of her own beauty.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	100
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	101	“In such cases, a woman has not often much beauty to think of.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	102
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	103	“But, my dear, you must indeed go and see Mr. Bingley when he comes into
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	104	the neighbourhood.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	105
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	106	“It is more than I engage for, I assure you.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	107
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	108	“But consider your daughters. Only think what an establishment it would
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	109	be for one of them. Sir William and Lady Lucas are determined to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	110	go, merely on that account, for in general, you know, they visit no
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	111	newcomers. Indeed you must go, for it will be impossible for _us_ to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	112	visit him if you do not.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	113
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	114	“You are over-scrupulous, surely. I dare say Mr. Bingley will be very
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	115	glad to see you; and I will send a few lines by you to assure him of my
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	116	hearty consent to his marrying whichever he chooses of the girls; though
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	117	I must throw in a good word for my little Lizzy.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	118
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	119	“I desire you will do no such thing. Lizzy is not a bit better than the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	120	others; and I am sure she is not half so handsome as Jane, nor half so
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	121	good-humoured as Lydia. But you are always giving _her_ the preference.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	122
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	123	“They have none of them much to recommend them,” replied he; “they are
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	124	all silly and ignorant like other girls; but Lizzy has something more of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	125	quickness than her sisters.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	126
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	127	“Mr. Bennet, how _can_ you abuse your own children in such a way? You
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	128	take delight in vexing me. You have no compassion for my poor nerves.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	129
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	130	“You mistake me, my dear. I have a high respect for your nerves. They
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	131	are my old friends. I have heard you mention them with consideration
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	132	these last twenty years at least.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	133
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	134	“Ah, you do not know what I suffer.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	135
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	136	“But I hope you will get over it, and live to see many young men of four
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	137	thousand a year come into the neighbourhood.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	138
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	139	“It will be no use to us, if twenty such should come, since you will not
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	140	visit them.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	141
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	142	“Depend upon it, my dear, that when there are twenty, I will visit them
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	143	all.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	144
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	145	Mr. Bennet was so odd a mixture of quick parts, sarcastic humour,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	146	reserve, and caprice, that the experience of three-and-twenty years had
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	147	been insufficient to make his wife understand his character. _Her_ mind
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	148	was less difficult to develop. She was a woman of mean understanding,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	149	little information, and uncertain temper. When she was discontented,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	150	she fancied herself nervous. The business of her life was to get her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	151	daughters married; its solace was visiting and news.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	152
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	153
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	154
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	155	Chapter 2
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	156
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	157
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	158	Mr. Bennet was among the earliest of those who waited on Mr. Bingley. He
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	159	had always intended to visit him, though to the last always assuring
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	160	his wife that he should not go; and till the evening after the visit was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	161	paid she had no knowledge of it. It was then disclosed in the following
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	162	manner. Observing his second daughter employed in trimming a hat, he
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	163	suddenly addressed her with:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	164
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	165	“I hope Mr. Bingley will like it, Lizzy.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	166
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	167	“We are not in a way to know _what_ Mr. Bingley likes,” said her mother
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	168	resentfully, “since we are not to visit.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	169
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	170	“But you forget, mamma,” said Elizabeth, “that we shall meet him at the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	171	assemblies, and that Mrs. Long promised to introduce him.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	172
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	173	“I do not believe Mrs. Long will do any such thing. She has two nieces
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	174	of her own. She is a selfish, hypocritical woman, and I have no opinion
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	175	of her.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	176
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	177	“No more have I,” said Mr. Bennet; “and I am glad to find that you do
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	178	not depend on her serving you.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	179
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	180	Mrs. Bennet deigned not to make any reply, but, unable to contain
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	181	herself, began scolding one of her daughters.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	182
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	183	“Don’t keep coughing so, Kitty, for Heaven’s sake! Have a little
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	184	compassion on my nerves. You tear them to pieces.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	185
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	186	“Kitty has no discretion in her coughs,” said her father; “she times
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	187	them ill.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	188
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	189	“I do not cough for my own amusement,” replied Kitty fretfully. “When is
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	190	your next ball to be, Lizzy?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	191
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	192	“To-morrow fortnight.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	193
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	194	“Aye, so it is,” cried her mother, “and Mrs. Long does not come back
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	195	till the day before; so it will be impossible for her to introduce him,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	196	for she will not know him herself.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	197
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	198	“Then, my dear, you may have the advantage of your friend, and introduce
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	199	Mr. Bingley to _her_.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	200
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	201	“Impossible, Mr. Bennet, impossible, when I am not acquainted with him
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	202	myself; how can you be so teasing?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	203
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	204	“I honour your circumspection. A fortnight’s acquaintance is certainly
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	205	very little. One cannot know what a man really is by the end of a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	206	fortnight. But if _we_ do not venture somebody else will; and after all,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	207	Mrs. Long and her neices must stand their chance; and, therefore, as
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	208	she will think it an act of kindness, if you decline the office, I will
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	209	take it on myself.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	210
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	211	The girls stared at their father. Mrs. Bennet said only, “Nonsense,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	212	nonsense!”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	213
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	214	“What can be the meaning of that emphatic exclamation?” cried he. “Do
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	215	you consider the forms of introduction, and the stress that is laid on
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	216	them, as nonsense? I cannot quite agree with you _there_. What say you,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	217	Mary? For you are a young lady of deep reflection, I know, and read
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	218	great books and make extracts.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	219
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	220	Mary wished to say something sensible, but knew not how.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	221
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	222	“While Mary is adjusting her ideas,” he continued, “let us return to Mr.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	223	Bingley.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	224
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	225	“I am sick of Mr. Bingley,” cried his wife.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	226
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	227	“I am sorry to hear _that_; but why did not you tell me that before? If
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	228	I had known as much this morning I certainly would not have called
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	229	on him. It is very unlucky; but as I have actually paid the visit, we
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	230	cannot escape the acquaintance now.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	231
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	232	The astonishment of the ladies was just what he wished; that of Mrs.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	233	Bennet perhaps surpassing the rest; though, when the first tumult of joy
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	234	was over, she began to declare that it was what she had expected all the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	235	while.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	236
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	237	“How good it was in you, my dear Mr. Bennet! But I knew I should
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	238	persuade you at last. I was sure you loved your girls too well to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	239	neglect such an acquaintance. Well, how pleased I am! and it is such a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	240	good joke, too, that you should have gone this morning and never said a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	241	word about it till now.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	242
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	243	“Now, Kitty, you may cough as much as you choose,” said Mr. Bennet; and,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	244	as he spoke, he left the room, fatigued with the raptures of his wife.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	245
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	246	“What an excellent father you have, girls!” said she, when the door was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	247	shut. “I do not know how you will ever make him amends for his kindness;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	248	or me, either, for that matter. At our time of life it is not so
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	249	pleasant, I can tell you, to be making new acquaintances every day; but
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	250	for your sakes, we would do anything. Lydia, my love, though you _are_
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	251	the youngest, I dare say Mr. Bingley will dance with you at the next
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	252	ball.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	253
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	254	“Oh!” said Lydia stoutly, “I am not afraid; for though I _am_ the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	255	youngest, I’m the tallest.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	256
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	257	The rest of the evening was spent in conjecturing how soon he would
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	258	return Mr. Bennet’s visit, and determining when they should ask him to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	259	dinner.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	260
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	261
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	262
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	263	Chapter 3
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	264
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	265
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	266	Not all that Mrs. Bennet, however, with the assistance of her five
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	267	daughters, could ask on the subject, was sufficient to draw from her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	268	husband any satisfactory description of Mr. Bingley. They attacked him
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	269	in various ways--with barefaced questions, ingenious suppositions, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	270	distant surmises; but he eluded the skill of them all, and they were at
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	271	last obliged to accept the second-hand intelligence of their neighbour,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	272	Lady Lucas. Her report was highly favourable. Sir William had been
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	273	delighted with him. He was quite young, wonderfully handsome, extremely
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	274	agreeable, and, to crown the whole, he meant to be at the next assembly
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	275	with a large party. Nothing could be more delightful! To be fond of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	276	dancing was a certain step towards falling in love; and very lively
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	277	hopes of Mr. Bingley’s heart were entertained.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	278
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	279	“If I can but see one of my daughters happily settled at Netherfield,”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	280	said Mrs. Bennet to her husband, “and all the others equally well
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	281	married, I shall have nothing to wish for.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	282
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	283	In a few days Mr. Bingley returned Mr. Bennet’s visit, and sat about
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	284	ten minutes with him in his library. He had entertained hopes of being
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	285	admitted to a sight of the young ladies, of whose beauty he had
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	286	heard much; but he saw only the father. The ladies were somewhat more
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	287	fortunate, for they had the advantage of ascertaining from an upper
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	288	window that he wore a blue coat, and rode a black horse.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	289
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	290	An invitation to dinner was soon afterwards dispatched; and already
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	291	had Mrs. Bennet planned the courses that were to do credit to her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	292	housekeeping, when an answer arrived which deferred it all. Mr. Bingley
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	293	was obliged to be in town the following day, and, consequently, unable
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	294	to accept the honour of their invitation, etc. Mrs. Bennet was quite
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	295	disconcerted. She could not imagine what business he could have in town
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	296	so soon after his arrival in Hertfordshire; and she began to fear that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	297	he might be always flying about from one place to another, and never
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	298	settled at Netherfield as he ought to be. Lady Lucas quieted her fears
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	299	a little by starting the idea of his being gone to London only to get
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	300	a large party for the ball; and a report soon followed that Mr. Bingley
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	301	was to bring twelve ladies and seven gentlemen with him to the assembly.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	302	The girls grieved over such a number of ladies, but were comforted the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	303	day before the ball by hearing, that instead of twelve he brought only
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	304	six with him from London--his five sisters and a cousin. And when
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	305	the party entered the assembly room it consisted of only five
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	306	altogether--Mr. Bingley, his two sisters, the husband of the eldest, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	307	another young man.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	308
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	309	Mr. Bingley was good-looking and gentlemanlike; he had a pleasant
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	310	countenance, and easy, unaffected manners. His sisters were fine women,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	311	with an air of decided fashion. His brother-in-law, Mr. Hurst, merely
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	312	looked the gentleman; but his friend Mr. Darcy soon drew the attention
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	313	of the room by his fine, tall person, handsome features, noble mien, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	314	the report which was in general circulation within five minutes
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	315	after his entrance, of his having ten thousand a year. The gentlemen
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	316	pronounced him to be a fine figure of a man, the ladies declared he
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	317	was much handsomer than Mr. Bingley, and he was looked at with great
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	318	admiration for about half the evening, till his manners gave a disgust
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	319	which turned the tide of his popularity; for he was discovered to be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	320	proud; to be above his company, and above being pleased; and not all
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	321	his large estate in Derbyshire could then save him from having a most
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	322	forbidding, disagreeable countenance, and being unworthy to be compared
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	323	with his friend.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	324
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	325	Mr. Bingley had soon made himself acquainted with all the principal
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	326	people in the room; he was lively and unreserved, danced every dance,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	327	was angry that the ball closed so early, and talked of giving
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	328	one himself at Netherfield. Such amiable qualities must speak for
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	329	themselves. What a contrast between him and his friend! Mr. Darcy danced
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	330	only once with Mrs. Hurst and once with Miss Bingley, declined being
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	331	introduced to any other lady, and spent the rest of the evening in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	332	walking about the room, speaking occasionally to one of his own party.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	333	His character was decided. He was the proudest, most disagreeable man
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	334	in the world, and everybody hoped that he would never come there again.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	335	Amongst the most violent against him was Mrs. Bennet, whose dislike of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	336	his general behaviour was sharpened into particular resentment by his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	337	having slighted one of her daughters.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	338
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	339	Elizabeth Bennet had been obliged, by the scarcity of gentlemen, to sit
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	340	down for two dances; and during part of that time, Mr. Darcy had been
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	341	standing near enough for her to hear a conversation between him and Mr.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	342	Bingley, who came from the dance for a few minutes, to press his friend
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	343	to join it.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	344
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	345	“Come, Darcy,” said he, “I must have you dance. I hate to see you
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	346	standing about by yourself in this stupid manner. You had much better
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	347	dance.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	348
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	349	“I certainly shall not. You know how I detest it, unless I am
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	350	particularly acquainted with my partner. At such an assembly as this
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	351	it would be insupportable. Your sisters are engaged, and there is not
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	352	another woman in the room whom it would not be a punishment to me to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	353	stand up with.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	354
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	355	“I would not be so fastidious as you are,” cried Mr. Bingley, “for a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	356	kingdom! Upon my honour, I never met with so many pleasant girls in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	357	my life as I have this evening; and there are several of them you see
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	358	uncommonly pretty.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	359
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	360	“_You_ are dancing with the only handsome girl in the room,” said Mr.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	361	Darcy, looking at the eldest Miss Bennet.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	362
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	363	“Oh! She is the most beautiful creature I ever beheld! But there is one
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	364	of her sisters sitting down just behind you, who is very pretty, and I
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	365	dare say very agreeable. Do let me ask my partner to introduce you.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	366
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	367	“Which do you mean?” and turning round he looked for a moment at
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	368	Elizabeth, till catching her eye, he withdrew his own and coldly said:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	369	“She is tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt _me_; I am in no
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	370	humour at present to give consequence to young ladies who are slighted
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	371	by other men. You had better return to your partner and enjoy her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	372	smiles, for you are wasting your time with me.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	373
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	374	Mr. Bingley followed his advice. Mr. Darcy walked off; and Elizabeth
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	375	remained with no very cordial feelings toward him. She told the story,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	376	however, with great spirit among her friends; for she had a lively,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	377	playful disposition, which delighted in anything ridiculous.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	378
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	379	The evening altogether passed off pleasantly to the whole family. Mrs.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	380	Bennet had seen her eldest daughter much admired by the Netherfield
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	381	party. Mr. Bingley had danced with her twice, and she had been
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	382	distinguished by his sisters. Jane was as much gratified by this as
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	383	her mother could be, though in a quieter way. Elizabeth felt Jane’s
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	384	pleasure. Mary had heard herself mentioned to Miss Bingley as the most
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	385	accomplished girl in the neighbourhood; and Catherine and Lydia had been
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	386	fortunate enough never to be without partners, which was all that they
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	387	had yet learnt to care for at a ball. They returned, therefore, in good
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	388	spirits to Longbourn, the village where they lived, and of which they
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	389	were the principal inhabitants. They found Mr. Bennet still up. With
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	390	a book he was regardless of time; and on the present occasion he had a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	391	good deal of curiosity as to the event of an evening which had raised
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	392	such splendid expectations. He had rather hoped that his wife’s views on
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	393	the stranger would be disappointed; but he soon found out that he had a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	394	different story to hear.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	395
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	396	“Oh! my dear Mr. Bennet,” as she entered the room, “we have had a most
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	397	delightful evening, a most excellent ball. I wish you had been there.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	398	Jane was so admired, nothing could be like it. Everybody said how well
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	399	she looked; and Mr. Bingley thought her quite beautiful, and danced with
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	400	her twice! Only think of _that_, my dear; he actually danced with her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	401	twice! and she was the only creature in the room that he asked a second
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	402	time. First of all, he asked Miss Lucas. I was so vexed to see him stand
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	403	up with her! But, however, he did not admire her at all; indeed, nobody
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	404	can, you know; and he seemed quite struck with Jane as she was going
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	405	down the dance. So he inquired who she was, and got introduced, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	406	asked her for the two next. Then the two third he danced with Miss King,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	407	and the two fourth with Maria Lucas, and the two fifth with Jane again,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	408	and the two sixth with Lizzy, and the _Boulanger_--”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	409
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	410	“If he had had any compassion for _me_,” cried her husband impatiently,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	411	“he would not have danced half so much! For God’s sake, say no more of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	412	his partners. Oh that he had sprained his ankle in the first dance!”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	413
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	414	“Oh! my dear, I am quite delighted with him. He is so excessively
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	415	handsome! And his sisters are charming women. I never in my life saw
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	416	anything more elegant than their dresses. I dare say the lace upon Mrs.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	417	Hurst’s gown--”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	418
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	419	Here she was interrupted again. Mr. Bennet protested against any
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	420	description of finery. She was therefore obliged to seek another branch
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	421	of the subject, and related, with much bitterness of spirit and some
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	422	exaggeration, the shocking rudeness of Mr. Darcy.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	423
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	424	“But I can assure you,” she added, “that Lizzy does not lose much by not
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	425	suiting _his_ fancy; for he is a most disagreeable, horrid man, not at
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	426	all worth pleasing. So high and so conceited that there was no enduring
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	427	him! He walked here, and he walked there, fancying himself so very
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	428	great! Not handsome enough to dance with! I wish you had been there, my
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	429	dear, to have given him one of your set-downs. I quite detest the man.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	430
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	431
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	432
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	433	Chapter 4
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	434
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	435
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	436	When Jane and Elizabeth were alone, the former, who had been cautious in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	437	her praise of Mr. Bingley before, expressed to her sister just how very
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	438	much she admired him.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	439
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	440	“He is just what a young man ought to be,” said she, “sensible,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	441	good-humoured, lively; and I never saw such happy manners!--so much
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	442	ease, with such perfect good breeding!”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	443
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	444	“He is also handsome,” replied Elizabeth, “which a young man ought
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	445	likewise to be, if he possibly can. His character is thereby complete.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	446
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	447	“I was very much flattered by his asking me to dance a second time. I
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	448	did not expect such a compliment.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	449
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	450	“Did not you? I did for you. But that is one great difference between
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	451	us. Compliments always take _you_ by surprise, and _me_ never. What
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	452	could be more natural than his asking you again? He could not help
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	453	seeing that you were about five times as pretty as every other woman
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	454	in the room. No thanks to his gallantry for that. Well, he certainly is
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	455	very agreeable, and I give you leave to like him. You have liked many a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	456	stupider person.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	457
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	458	“Dear Lizzy!”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	459
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	460	“Oh! you are a great deal too apt, you know, to like people in general.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	461	You never see a fault in anybody. All the world are good and agreeable
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	462	in your eyes. I never heard you speak ill of a human being in your
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	463	life.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	464
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	465	“I would not wish to be hasty in censuring anyone; but I always speak
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	466	what I think.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	467
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	468	“I know you do; and it is _that_ which makes the wonder. With _your_
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	469	good sense, to be so honestly blind to the follies and nonsense of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	470	others! Affectation of candour is common enough--one meets with it
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	471	everywhere. But to be candid without ostentation or design--to take the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	472	good of everybody’s character and make it still better, and say nothing
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	473	of the bad--belongs to you alone. And so you like this man’s sisters,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	474	too, do you? Their manners are not equal to his.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	475
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	476	“Certainly not--at first. But they are very pleasing women when you
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	477	converse with them. Miss Bingley is to live with her brother, and keep
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	478	his house; and I am much mistaken if we shall not find a very charming
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	479	neighbour in her.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	480
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	481	Elizabeth listened in silence, but was not convinced; their behaviour at
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	482	the assembly had not been calculated to please in general; and with more
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	483	quickness of observation and less pliancy of temper than her sister,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	484	and with a judgement too unassailed by any attention to herself, she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	485	was very little disposed to approve them. They were in fact very fine
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	486	ladies; not deficient in good humour when they were pleased, nor in the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	487	power of making themselves agreeable when they chose it, but proud and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	488	conceited. They were rather handsome, had been educated in one of the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	489	first private seminaries in town, had a fortune of twenty thousand
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	490	pounds, were in the habit of spending more than they ought, and of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	491	associating with people of rank, and were therefore in every respect
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	492	entitled to think well of themselves, and meanly of others. They were of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	493	a respectable family in the north of England; a circumstance more deeply
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	494	impressed on their memories than that their brother’s fortune and their
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	495	own had been acquired by trade.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	496
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	497	Mr. Bingley inherited property to the amount of nearly a hundred
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	498	thousand pounds from his father, who had intended to purchase an
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	499	estate, but did not live to do it. Mr. Bingley intended it likewise, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	500	sometimes made choice of his county; but as he was now provided with a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	501	good house and the liberty of a manor, it was doubtful to many of those
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	502	who best knew the easiness of his temper, whether he might not spend the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	503	remainder of his days at Netherfield, and leave the next generation to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	504	purchase.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	505
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	506	His sisters were anxious for his having an estate of his own; but,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	507	though he was now only established as a tenant, Miss Bingley was by no
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	508	means unwilling to preside at his table--nor was Mrs. Hurst, who had
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	509	married a man of more fashion than fortune, less disposed to consider
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	510	his house as her home when it suited her. Mr. Bingley had not been of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	511	age two years, when he was tempted by an accidental recommendation
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	512	to look at Netherfield House. He did look at it, and into it for
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	513	half-an-hour--was pleased with the situation and the principal
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	514	rooms, satisfied with what the owner said in its praise, and took it
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	515	immediately.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	516
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	517	Between him and Darcy there was a very steady friendship, in spite of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	518	great opposition of character. Bingley was endeared to Darcy by the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	519	easiness, openness, and ductility of his temper, though no disposition
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	520	could offer a greater contrast to his own, and though with his own he
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	521	never appeared dissatisfied. On the strength of Darcy’s regard, Bingley
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	522	had the firmest reliance, and of his judgement the highest opinion.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	523	In understanding, Darcy was the superior. Bingley was by no means
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	524	deficient, but Darcy was clever. He was at the same time haughty,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	525	reserved, and fastidious, and his manners, though well-bred, were not
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	526	inviting. In that respect his friend had greatly the advantage. Bingley
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	527	was sure of being liked wherever he appeared, Darcy was continually
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	528	giving offense.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	529
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	530	The manner in which they spoke of the Meryton assembly was sufficiently
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	531	characteristic. Bingley had never met with more pleasant people or
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	532	prettier girls in his life; everybody had been most kind and attentive
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	533	to him; there had been no formality, no stiffness; he had soon felt
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	534	acquainted with all the room; and, as to Miss Bennet, he could not
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	535	conceive an angel more beautiful. Darcy, on the contrary, had seen a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	536	collection of people in whom there was little beauty and no fashion, for
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	537	none of whom he had felt the smallest interest, and from none received
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	538	either attention or pleasure. Miss Bennet he acknowledged to be pretty,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	539	but she smiled too much.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	540
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	541	Mrs. Hurst and her sister allowed it to be so--but still they admired
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	542	her and liked her, and pronounced her to be a sweet girl, and one
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	543	whom they would not object to know more of. Miss Bennet was therefore
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	544	established as a sweet girl, and their brother felt authorized by such
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	545	commendation to think of her as he chose.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	546
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	547
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	548
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	549	Chapter 5
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	550
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	551
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	552	Within a short walk of Longbourn lived a family with whom the Bennets
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	553	were particularly intimate. Sir William Lucas had been formerly in trade
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	554	in Meryton, where he had made a tolerable fortune, and risen to the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	555	honour of knighthood by an address to the king during his mayoralty.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	556	The distinction had perhaps been felt too strongly. It had given him a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	557	disgust to his business, and to his residence in a small market town;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	558	and, in quitting them both, he had removed with his family to a house
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	559	about a mile from Meryton, denominated from that period Lucas Lodge,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	560	where he could think with pleasure of his own importance, and,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	561	unshackled by business, occupy himself solely in being civil to all
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	562	the world. For, though elated by his rank, it did not render him
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	563	supercilious; on the contrary, he was all attention to everybody. By
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	564	nature inoffensive, friendly, and obliging, his presentation at St.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	565	James’s had made him courteous.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	566
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	567	Lady Lucas was a very good kind of woman, not too clever to be a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	568	valuable neighbour to Mrs. Bennet. They had several children. The eldest
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	569	of them, a sensible, intelligent young woman, about twenty-seven, was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	570	Elizabeth’s intimate friend.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	571
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	572	That the Miss Lucases and the Miss Bennets should meet to talk over
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	573	a ball was absolutely necessary; and the morning after the assembly
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	574	brought the former to Longbourn to hear and to communicate.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	575
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	576	“_You_ began the evening well, Charlotte,” said Mrs. Bennet with civil
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	577	self-command to Miss Lucas. “_You_ were Mr. Bingley’s first choice.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	578
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	579	“Yes; but he seemed to like his second better.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	580
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	581	“Oh! you mean Jane, I suppose, because he danced with her twice. To be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	582	sure that _did_ seem as if he admired her--indeed I rather believe he
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	583	_did_--I heard something about it--but I hardly know what--something
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	584	about Mr. Robinson.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	585
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	586	“Perhaps you mean what I overheard between him and Mr. Robinson; did not
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	587	I mention it to you? Mr. Robinson’s asking him how he liked our Meryton
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	588	assemblies, and whether he did not think there were a great many
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	589	pretty women in the room, and _which_ he thought the prettiest? and his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	590	answering immediately to the last question: ‘Oh! the eldest Miss Bennet,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	591	beyond a doubt; there cannot be two opinions on that point.’”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	592
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	593	“Upon my word! Well, that is very decided indeed--that does seem as
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	594	if--but, however, it may all come to nothing, you know.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	595
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	596	“_My_ overhearings were more to the purpose than _yours_, Eliza,” said
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	597	Charlotte. “Mr. Darcy is not so well worth listening to as his friend,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	598	is he?--poor Eliza!--to be only just _tolerable_.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	599
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	600	“I beg you would not put it into Lizzy’s head to be vexed by his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	601	ill-treatment, for he is such a disagreeable man, that it would be quite
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	602	a misfortune to be liked by him. Mrs. Long told me last night that he
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	603	sat close to her for half-an-hour without once opening his lips.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	604
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	605	“Are you quite sure, ma’am?--is not there a little mistake?” said Jane.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	606	“I certainly saw Mr. Darcy speaking to her.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	607
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	608	“Aye--because she asked him at last how he liked Netherfield, and he
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	609	could not help answering her; but she said he seemed quite angry at
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	610	being spoke to.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	611
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	612	“Miss Bingley told me,” said Jane, “that he never speaks much,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	613	unless among his intimate acquaintances. With _them_ he is remarkably
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	614	agreeable.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	615
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	616	“I do not believe a word of it, my dear. If he had been so very
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	617	agreeable, he would have talked to Mrs. Long. But I can guess how it
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	618	was; everybody says that he is eat up with pride, and I dare say he had
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	619	heard somehow that Mrs. Long does not keep a carriage, and had come to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	620	the ball in a hack chaise.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	621
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	622	“I do not mind his not talking to Mrs. Long,” said Miss Lucas, “but I
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	623	wish he had danced with Eliza.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	624
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	625	“Another time, Lizzy,” said her mother, “I would not dance with _him_,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	626	if I were you.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	627
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	628	“I believe, ma’am, I may safely promise you _never_ to dance with him.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	629
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	630	“His pride,” said Miss Lucas, “does not offend _me_ so much as pride
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	631	often does, because there is an excuse for it. One cannot wonder that so
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	632	very fine a young man, with family, fortune, everything in his favour,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	633	should think highly of himself. If I may so express it, he has a _right_
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	634	to be proud.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	635
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	636	“That is very true,” replied Elizabeth, “and I could easily forgive
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	637	_his_ pride, if he had not mortified _mine_.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	638
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	639	“Pride,” observed Mary, who piqued herself upon the solidity of her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	640	reflections, “is a very common failing, I believe. By all that I have
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	641	ever read, I am convinced that it is very common indeed; that human
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	642	nature is particularly prone to it, and that there are very few of us
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	643	who do not cherish a feeling of self-complacency on the score of some
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	644	quality or other, real or imaginary. Vanity and pride are different
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	645	things, though the words are often used synonymously. A person may
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	646	be proud without being vain. Pride relates more to our opinion of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	647	ourselves, vanity to what we would have others think of us.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	648
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	649	“If I were as rich as Mr. Darcy,” cried a young Lucas, who came with
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	650	his sisters, “I should not care how proud I was. I would keep a pack of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	651	foxhounds, and drink a bottle of wine a day.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	652
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	653	“Then you would drink a great deal more than you ought,” said Mrs.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	654	Bennet; “and if I were to see you at it, I should take away your bottle
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	655	directly.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	656
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	657	The boy protested that she should not; she continued to declare that she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	658	would, and the argument ended only with the visit.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	659
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	660
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	661
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	662	Chapter 6
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	663
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	664
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	665	The ladies of Longbourn soon waited on those of Netherfield. The visit
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	666	was soon returned in due form. Miss Bennet’s pleasing manners grew on
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	667	the goodwill of Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley; and though the mother was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	668	found to be intolerable, and the younger sisters not worth speaking to,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	669	a wish of being better acquainted with _them_ was expressed towards
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	670	the two eldest. By Jane, this attention was received with the greatest
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	671	pleasure, but Elizabeth still saw superciliousness in their treatment
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	672	of everybody, hardly excepting even her sister, and could not like them;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	673	though their kindness to Jane, such as it was, had a value as arising in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	674	all probability from the influence of their brother’s admiration. It
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	675	was generally evident whenever they met, that he _did_ admire her and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	676	to _her_ it was equally evident that Jane was yielding to the preference
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	677	which she had begun to entertain for him from the first, and was in a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	678	way to be very much in love; but she considered with pleasure that it
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	679	was not likely to be discovered by the world in general, since Jane
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	680	united, with great strength of feeling, a composure of temper and a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	681	uniform cheerfulness of manner which would guard her from the suspicions
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	682	of the impertinent. She mentioned this to her friend Miss Lucas.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	683
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	684	“It may perhaps be pleasant,” replied Charlotte, “to be able to impose
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	685	on the public in such a case; but it is sometimes a disadvantage to be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	686	so very guarded. If a woman conceals her affection with the same skill
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	687	from the object of it, she may lose the opportunity of fixing him; and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	688	it will then be but poor consolation to believe the world equally in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	689	the dark. There is so much of gratitude or vanity in almost every
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	690	attachment, that it is not safe to leave any to itself. We can all
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	691	_begin_ freely--a slight preference is natural enough; but there are
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	692	very few of us who have heart enough to be really in love without
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	693	encouragement. In nine cases out of ten a women had better show _more_
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	694	affection than she feels. Bingley likes your sister undoubtedly; but he
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	695	may never do more than like her, if she does not help him on.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	696
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	697	“But she does help him on, as much as her nature will allow. If I can
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	698	perceive her regard for him, he must be a simpleton, indeed, not to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	699	discover it too.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	700
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	701	“Remember, Eliza, that he does not know Jane’s disposition as you do.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	702
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	703	“But if a woman is partial to a man, and does not endeavour to conceal
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	704	it, he must find it out.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	705
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	706	“Perhaps he must, if he sees enough of her. But, though Bingley and Jane
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	707	meet tolerably often, it is never for many hours together; and, as they
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	708	always see each other in large mixed parties, it is impossible that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	709	every moment should be employed in conversing together. Jane should
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	710	therefore make the most of every half-hour in which she can command his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	711	attention. When she is secure of him, there will be more leisure for
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	712	falling in love as much as she chooses.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	713
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	714	“Your plan is a good one,” replied Elizabeth, “where nothing is in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	715	question but the desire of being well married, and if I were determined
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	716	to get a rich husband, or any husband, I dare say I should adopt it. But
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	717	these are not Jane’s feelings; she is not acting by design. As yet,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	718	she cannot even be certain of the degree of her own regard nor of its
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	719	reasonableness. She has known him only a fortnight. She danced four
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	720	dances with him at Meryton; she saw him one morning at his own house,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	721	and has since dined with him in company four times. This is not quite
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	722	enough to make her understand his character.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	723
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	724	“Not as you represent it. Had she merely _dined_ with him, she might
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	725	only have discovered whether he had a good appetite; but you must
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	726	remember that four evenings have also been spent together--and four
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	727	evenings may do a great deal.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	728
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	729	“Yes; these four evenings have enabled them to ascertain that they
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	730	both like Vingt-un better than Commerce; but with respect to any other
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	731	leading characteristic, I do not imagine that much has been unfolded.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	732
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	733	“Well,” said Charlotte, “I wish Jane success with all my heart; and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	734	if she were married to him to-morrow, I should think she had as good a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	735	chance of happiness as if she were to be studying his character for a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	736	twelvemonth. Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance. If
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	737	the dispositions of the parties are ever so well known to each other or
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	738	ever so similar beforehand, it does not advance their felicity in the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	739	least. They always continue to grow sufficiently unlike afterwards to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	740	have their share of vexation; and it is better to know as little as
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	741	possible of the defects of the person with whom you are to pass your
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	742	life.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	743
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	744	“You make me laugh, Charlotte; but it is not sound. You know it is not
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	745	sound, and that you would never act in this way yourself.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	746
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	747	Occupied in observing Mr. Bingley’s attentions to her sister, Elizabeth
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	748	was far from suspecting that she was herself becoming an object of some
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	749	interest in the eyes of his friend. Mr. Darcy had at first scarcely
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	750	allowed her to be pretty; he had looked at her without admiration at the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	751	ball; and when they next met, he looked at her only to criticise. But no
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	752	sooner had he made it clear to himself and his friends that she hardly
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	753	had a good feature in her face, than he began to find it was rendered
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	754	uncommonly intelligent by the beautiful expression of her dark eyes. To
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	755	this discovery succeeded some others equally mortifying. Though he had
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	756	detected with a critical eye more than one failure of perfect symmetry
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	757	in her form, he was forced to acknowledge her figure to be light and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	758	pleasing; and in spite of his asserting that her manners were not those
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	759	of the fashionable world, he was caught by their easy playfulness. Of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	760	this she was perfectly unaware; to her he was only the man who made
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	761	himself agreeable nowhere, and who had not thought her handsome enough
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	762	to dance with.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	763
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	764	He began to wish to know more of her, and as a step towards conversing
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	765	with her himself, attended to her conversation with others. His doing so
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	766	drew her notice. It was at Sir William Lucas’s, where a large party were
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	767	assembled.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	768
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	769	“What does Mr. Darcy mean,” said she to Charlotte, “by listening to my
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	770	conversation with Colonel Forster?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	771
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	772	“That is a question which Mr. Darcy only can answer.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	773
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	774	“But if he does it any more I shall certainly let him know that I see
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	775	what he is about. He has a very satirical eye, and if I do not begin by
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	776	being impertinent myself, I shall soon grow afraid of him.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	777
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	778	On his approaching them soon afterwards, though without seeming to have
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	779	any intention of speaking, Miss Lucas defied her friend to mention such
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	780	a subject to him; which immediately provoking Elizabeth to do it, she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	781	turned to him and said:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	782
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	783	“Did you not think, Mr. Darcy, that I expressed myself uncommonly
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	784	well just now, when I was teasing Colonel Forster to give us a ball at
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	785	Meryton?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	786
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	787	“With great energy; but it is always a subject which makes a lady
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	788	energetic.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	789
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	790	“You are severe on us.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	791
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	792	“It will be _her_ turn soon to be teased,” said Miss Lucas. “I am going
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	793	to open the instrument, Eliza, and you know what follows.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	794
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	795	“You are a very strange creature by way of a friend!--always wanting me
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	796	to play and sing before anybody and everybody! If my vanity had taken
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	797	a musical turn, you would have been invaluable; but as it is, I would
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	798	really rather not sit down before those who must be in the habit of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	799	hearing the very best performers.” On Miss Lucas’s persevering, however,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	800	she added, “Very well, if it must be so, it must.” And gravely glancing
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	801	at Mr. Darcy, “There is a fine old saying, which everybody here is of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	802	course familiar with: ‘Keep your breath to cool your porridge’; and I
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	803	shall keep mine to swell my song.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	804
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	805	Her performance was pleasing, though by no means capital. After a song
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	806	or two, and before she could reply to the entreaties of several that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	807	she would sing again, she was eagerly succeeded at the instrument by her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	808	sister Mary, who having, in consequence of being the only plain one in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	809	the family, worked hard for knowledge and accomplishments, was always
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	810	impatient for display.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	811
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	812	Mary had neither genius nor taste; and though vanity had given her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	813	application, it had given her likewise a pedantic air and conceited
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	814	manner, which would have injured a higher degree of excellence than she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	815	had reached. Elizabeth, easy and unaffected, had been listened to with
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	816	much more pleasure, though not playing half so well; and Mary, at the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	817	end of a long concerto, was glad to purchase praise and gratitude by
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	818	Scotch and Irish airs, at the request of her younger sisters, who,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	819	with some of the Lucases, and two or three officers, joined eagerly in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	820	dancing at one end of the room.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	821
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	822	Mr. Darcy stood near them in silent indignation at such a mode of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	823	passing the evening, to the exclusion of all conversation, and was too
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	824	much engrossed by his thoughts to perceive that Sir William Lucas was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	825	his neighbour, till Sir William thus began:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	826
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	827	“What a charming amusement for young people this is, Mr. Darcy! There
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	828	is nothing like dancing after all. I consider it as one of the first
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	829	refinements of polished society.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	830
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	831	“Certainly, sir; and it has the advantage also of being in vogue amongst
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	832	the less polished societies of the world. Every savage can dance.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	833
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	834	Sir William only smiled. “Your friend performs delightfully,” he
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	835	continued after a pause, on seeing Bingley join the group; “and I doubt
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	836	not that you are an adept in the science yourself, Mr. Darcy.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	837
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	838	“You saw me dance at Meryton, I believe, sir.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	839
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	840	“Yes, indeed, and received no inconsiderable pleasure from the sight. Do
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	841	you often dance at St. James’s?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	842
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	843	“Never, sir.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	844
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	845	“Do you not think it would be a proper compliment to the place?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	846
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	847	“It is a compliment which I never pay to any place if I can avoid it.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	848
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	849	“You have a house in town, I conclude?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	850
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	851	Mr. Darcy bowed.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	852
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	853	“I had once had some thought of fixing in town myself--for I am fond
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	854	of superior society; but I did not feel quite certain that the air of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	855	London would agree with Lady Lucas.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	856
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	857	He paused in hopes of an answer; but his companion was not disposed
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	858	to make any; and Elizabeth at that instant moving towards them, he was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	859	struck with the action of doing a very gallant thing, and called out to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	860	her:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	861
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	862	“My dear Miss Eliza, why are you not dancing? Mr. Darcy, you must allow
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	863	me to present this young lady to you as a very desirable partner. You
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	864	cannot refuse to dance, I am sure when so much beauty is before you.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	865	And, taking her hand, he would have given it to Mr. Darcy who, though
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	866	extremely surprised, was not unwilling to receive it, when she instantly
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	867	drew back, and said with some discomposure to Sir William:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	868
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	869	“Indeed, sir, I have not the least intention of dancing. I entreat you
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	870	not to suppose that I moved this way in order to beg for a partner.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	871
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	872	Mr. Darcy, with grave propriety, requested to be allowed the honour of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	873	her hand, but in vain. Elizabeth was determined; nor did Sir William at
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	874	all shake her purpose by his attempt at persuasion.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	875
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	876	“You excel so much in the dance, Miss Eliza, that it is cruel to deny
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	877	me the happiness of seeing you; and though this gentleman dislikes the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	878	amusement in general, he can have no objection, I am sure, to oblige us
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	879	for one half-hour.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	880
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	881	“Mr. Darcy is all politeness,” said Elizabeth, smiling.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	882
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	883	“He is, indeed; but, considering the inducement, my dear Miss Eliza,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	884	we cannot wonder at his complaisance--for who would object to such a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	885	partner?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	886
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	887	Elizabeth looked archly, and turned away. Her resistance had not
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	888	injured her with the gentleman, and he was thinking of her with some
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	889	complacency, when thus accosted by Miss Bingley:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	890
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	891	“I can guess the subject of your reverie.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	892
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	893	“I should imagine not.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	894
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	895	“You are considering how insupportable it would be to pass many evenings
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	896	in this manner--in such society; and indeed I am quite of your opinion.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	897	I was never more annoyed! The insipidity, and yet the noise--the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	898	nothingness, and yet the self-importance of all those people! What would
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	899	I give to hear your strictures on them!”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	900
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	901	“Your conjecture is totally wrong, I assure you. My mind was more
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	902	agreeably engaged. I have been meditating on the very great pleasure
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	903	which a pair of fine eyes in the face of a pretty woman can bestow.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	904
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	905	Miss Bingley immediately fixed her eyes on his face, and desired he
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	906	would tell her what lady had the credit of inspiring such reflections.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	907	Mr. Darcy replied with great intrepidity:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	908
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	909	“Miss Elizabeth Bennet.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	910
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	911	“Miss Elizabeth Bennet!” repeated Miss Bingley. “I am all astonishment.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	912	How long has she been such a favourite?--and pray, when am I to wish you
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	913	joy?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	914
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	915	“That is exactly the question which I expected you to ask. A lady’s
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	916	imagination is very rapid; it jumps from admiration to love, from love
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	917	to matrimony, in a moment. I knew you would be wishing me joy.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	918
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	919	“Nay, if you are serious about it, I shall consider the matter is
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	920	absolutely settled. You will be having a charming mother-in-law, indeed;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	921	and, of course, she will always be at Pemberley with you.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	922
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	923	He listened to her with perfect indifference while she chose to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	924	entertain herself in this manner; and as his composure convinced her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	925	that all was safe, her wit flowed long.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	926
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	927
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	928
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	929	Chapter 7
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	930
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	931
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	932	Mr. Bennet’s property consisted almost entirely in an estate of two
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	933	thousand a year, which, unfortunately for his daughters, was entailed,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	934	in default of heirs male, on a distant relation; and their mother’s
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	935	fortune, though ample for her situation in life, could but ill supply
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	936	the deficiency of his. Her father had been an attorney in Meryton, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	937	had left her four thousand pounds.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	938
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	939	She had a sister married to a Mr. Phillips, who had been a clerk to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	940	their father and succeeded him in the business, and a brother settled in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	941	London in a respectable line of trade.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	942
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	943	The village of Longbourn was only one mile from Meryton; a most
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	944	convenient distance for the young ladies, who were usually tempted
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	945	thither three or four times a week, to pay their duty to their aunt and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	946	to a milliner’s shop just over the way. The two youngest of the family,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	947	Catherine and Lydia, were particularly frequent in these attentions;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	948	their minds were more vacant than their sisters’, and when nothing
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	949	better offered, a walk to Meryton was necessary to amuse their morning
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	950	hours and furnish conversation for the evening; and however bare of news
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	951	the country in general might be, they always contrived to learn some
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	952	from their aunt. At present, indeed, they were well supplied both with
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	953	news and happiness by the recent arrival of a militia regiment in the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	954	neighbourhood; it was to remain the whole winter, and Meryton was the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	955	headquarters.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	956
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	957	Their visits to Mrs. Phillips were now productive of the most
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	958	interesting intelligence. Every day added something to their knowledge
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	959	of the officers’ names and connections. Their lodgings were not long a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	960	secret, and at length they began to know the officers themselves. Mr.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	961	Phillips visited them all, and this opened to his nieces a store of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	962	felicity unknown before. They could talk of nothing but officers; and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	963	Mr. Bingley’s large fortune, the mention of which gave animation
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	964	to their mother, was worthless in their eyes when opposed to the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	965	regimentals of an ensign.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	966
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	967	After listening one morning to their effusions on this subject, Mr.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	968	Bennet coolly observed:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	969
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	970	“From all that I can collect by your manner of talking, you must be two
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	971	of the silliest girls in the country. I have suspected it some time, but
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	972	I am now convinced.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	973
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	974	Catherine was disconcerted, and made no answer; but Lydia, with perfect
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	975	indifference, continued to express her admiration of Captain Carter,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	976	and her hope of seeing him in the course of the day, as he was going the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	977	next morning to London.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	978
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	979	“I am astonished, my dear,” said Mrs. Bennet, “that you should be so
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	980	ready to think your own children silly. If I wished to think slightingly
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	981	of anybody’s children, it should not be of my own, however.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	982
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	983	“If my children are silly, I must hope to be always sensible of it.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	984
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	985	“Yes--but as it happens, they are all of them very clever.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	986
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	987	“This is the only point, I flatter myself, on which we do not agree. I
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	988	had hoped that our sentiments coincided in every particular, but I must
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	989	so far differ from you as to think our two youngest daughters uncommonly
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	990	foolish.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	991
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	992	“My dear Mr. Bennet, you must not expect such girls to have the sense of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	993	their father and mother. When they get to our age, I dare say they will
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	994	not think about officers any more than we do. I remember the time when
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	995	I liked a red coat myself very well--and, indeed, so I do still at my
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	996	heart; and if a smart young colonel, with five or six thousand a year,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	997	should want one of my girls I shall not say nay to him; and I thought
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	998	Colonel Forster looked very becoming the other night at Sir William’s in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	999	his regimentals.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1000
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1001	“Mamma,” cried Lydia, “my aunt says that Colonel Forster and Captain
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1002	Carter do not go so often to Miss Watson’s as they did when they first
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1003	came; she sees them now very often standing in Clarke’s library.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1004
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1005	Mrs. Bennet was prevented replying by the entrance of the footman with
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1006	a note for Miss Bennet; it came from Netherfield, and the servant waited
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1007	for an answer. Mrs. Bennet’s eyes sparkled with pleasure, and she was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1008	eagerly calling out, while her daughter read,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1009
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1010	“Well, Jane, who is it from? What is it about? What does he say? Well,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1011	Jane, make haste and tell us; make haste, my love.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1012
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1013	“It is from Miss Bingley,” said Jane, and then read it aloud.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1014
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1015	“MY DEAR FRIEND,--
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1016
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1017	“If you are not so compassionate as to dine to-day with Louisa and me,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1018	we shall be in danger of hating each other for the rest of our lives,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1019	for a whole day’s tete-a-tete between two women can never end without a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1020	quarrel. Come as soon as you can on receipt of this. My brother and the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1021	gentlemen are to dine with the officers.--Yours ever,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1022
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1023	“CAROLINE BINGLEY”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1024
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1025	“With the officers!” cried Lydia. “I wonder my aunt did not tell us of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1026	_that_.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1027
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1028	“Dining out,” said Mrs. Bennet, “that is very unlucky.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1029
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1030	“Can I have the carriage?” said Jane.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1031
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1032	“No, my dear, you had better go on horseback, because it seems likely to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1033	rain; and then you must stay all night.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1034
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1035	“That would be a good scheme,” said Elizabeth, “if you were sure that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1036	they would not offer to send her home.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1037
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1038	“Oh! but the gentlemen will have Mr. Bingley’s chaise to go to Meryton,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1039	and the Hursts have no horses to theirs.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1040
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1041	“I had much rather go in the coach.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1042
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1043	“But, my dear, your father cannot spare the horses, I am sure. They are
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1044	wanted in the farm, Mr. Bennet, are they not?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1045
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1046	“They are wanted in the farm much oftener than I can get them.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1047
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1048	“But if you have got them to-day,” said Elizabeth, “my mother’s purpose
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1049	will be answered.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1050
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1051	She did at last extort from her father an acknowledgment that the horses
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1052	were engaged. Jane was therefore obliged to go on horseback, and her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1053	mother attended her to the door with many cheerful prognostics of a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1054	bad day. Her hopes were answered; Jane had not been gone long before
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1055	it rained hard. Her sisters were uneasy for her, but her mother was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1056	delighted. The rain continued the whole evening without intermission;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1057	Jane certainly could not come back.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1058
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1059	“This was a lucky idea of mine, indeed!” said Mrs. Bennet more than
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1060	once, as if the credit of making it rain were all her own. Till the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1061	next morning, however, she was not aware of all the felicity of her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1062	contrivance. Breakfast was scarcely over when a servant from Netherfield
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1063	brought the following note for Elizabeth:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1064
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1065	“MY DEAREST LIZZY,--
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1066
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1067	“I find myself very unwell this morning, which, I suppose, is to be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1068	imputed to my getting wet through yesterday. My kind friends will not
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1069	hear of my returning till I am better. They insist also on my seeing Mr.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1070	Jones--therefore do not be alarmed if you should hear of his having been
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1071	to me--and, excepting a sore throat and headache, there is not much the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1072	matter with me.--Yours, etc.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1073
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1074	“Well, my dear,” said Mr. Bennet, when Elizabeth had read the note
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1075	aloud, “if your daughter should have a dangerous fit of illness--if she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1076	should die, it would be a comfort to know that it was all in pursuit of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1077	Mr. Bingley, and under your orders.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1078
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1079	“Oh! I am not afraid of her dying. People do not die of little trifling
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1080	colds. She will be taken good care of. As long as she stays there, it is
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1081	all very well. I would go and see her if I could have the carriage.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1082
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1083	Elizabeth, feeling really anxious, was determined to go to her, though
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1084	the carriage was not to be had; and as she was no horsewoman, walking
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1085	was her only alternative. She declared her resolution.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1086
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1087	“How can you be so silly,” cried her mother, “as to think of such a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1088	thing, in all this dirt! You will not be fit to be seen when you get
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1089	there.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1090
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1091	“I shall be very fit to see Jane--which is all I want.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1092
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1093	“Is this a hint to me, Lizzy,” said her father, “to send for the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1094	horses?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1095
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1096	“No, indeed, I do not wish to avoid the walk. The distance is nothing
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1097	when one has a motive; only three miles. I shall be back by dinner.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1098
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1099	“I admire the activity of your benevolence,” observed Mary, “but every
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1100	impulse of feeling should be guided by reason; and, in my opinion,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1101	exertion should always be in proportion to what is required.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1102
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1103	“We will go as far as Meryton with you,” said Catherine and Lydia.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1104	Elizabeth accepted their company, and the three young ladies set off
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1105	together.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1106
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1107	“If we make haste,” said Lydia, as they walked along, “perhaps we may
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1108	see something of Captain Carter before he goes.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1109
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1110	In Meryton they parted; the two youngest repaired to the lodgings of one
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1111	of the officers’ wives, and Elizabeth continued her walk alone, crossing
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1112	field after field at a quick pace, jumping over stiles and springing
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1113	over puddles with impatient activity, and finding herself at last
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1114	within view of the house, with weary ankles, dirty stockings, and a face
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1115	glowing with the warmth of exercise.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1116
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1117	She was shown into the breakfast-parlour, where all but Jane were
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1118	assembled, and where her appearance created a great deal of surprise.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1119	That she should have walked three miles so early in the day, in such
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1120	dirty weather, and by herself, was almost incredible to Mrs. Hurst and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1121	Miss Bingley; and Elizabeth was convinced that they held her in contempt
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1122	for it. She was received, however, very politely by them; and in their
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1123	brother’s manners there was something better than politeness; there
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1124	was good humour and kindness. Mr. Darcy said very little, and Mr.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1125	Hurst nothing at all. The former was divided between admiration of the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1126	brilliancy which exercise had given to her complexion, and doubt as
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1127	to the occasion’s justifying her coming so far alone. The latter was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1128	thinking only of his breakfast.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1129
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1130	Her inquiries after her sister were not very favourably answered. Miss
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1131	Bennet had slept ill, and though up, was very feverish, and not
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1132	well enough to leave her room. Elizabeth was glad to be taken to her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1133	immediately; and Jane, who had only been withheld by the fear of giving
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1134	alarm or inconvenience from expressing in her note how much she longed
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1135	for such a visit, was delighted at her entrance. She was not equal,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1136	however, to much conversation, and when Miss Bingley left them
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1137	together, could attempt little besides expressions of gratitude for the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1138	extraordinary kindness she was treated with. Elizabeth silently attended
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1139	her.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1140
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1141	When breakfast was over they were joined by the sisters; and Elizabeth
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1142	began to like them herself, when she saw how much affection and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1143	solicitude they showed for Jane. The apothecary came, and having
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1144	examined his patient, said, as might be supposed, that she had caught
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1145	a violent cold, and that they must endeavour to get the better of it;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1146	advised her to return to bed, and promised her some draughts. The advice
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1147	was followed readily, for the feverish symptoms increased, and her head
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1148	ached acutely. Elizabeth did not quit her room for a moment; nor were
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1149	the other ladies often absent; the gentlemen being out, they had, in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1150	fact, nothing to do elsewhere.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1151
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1152	When the clock struck three, Elizabeth felt that she must go, and very
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1153	unwillingly said so. Miss Bingley offered her the carriage, and she only
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1154	wanted a little pressing to accept it, when Jane testified such concern
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1155	in parting with her, that Miss Bingley was obliged to convert the offer
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1156	of the chaise to an invitation to remain at Netherfield for the present.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1157	Elizabeth most thankfully consented, and a servant was dispatched to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1158	Longbourn to acquaint the family with her stay and bring back a supply
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1159	of clothes.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1160
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1161
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1162
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1163	Chapter 8
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1164
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1165
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1166	At five o’clock the two ladies retired to dress, and at half-past six
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1167	Elizabeth was summoned to dinner. To the civil inquiries which then
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1168	poured in, and amongst which she had the pleasure of distinguishing the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1169	much superior solicitude of Mr. Bingley’s, she could not make a very
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1170	favourable answer. Jane was by no means better. The sisters, on hearing
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1171	this, repeated three or four times how much they were grieved, how
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1172	shocking it was to have a bad cold, and how excessively they disliked
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1173	being ill themselves; and then thought no more of the matter: and their
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1174	indifference towards Jane when not immediately before them restored
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1175	Elizabeth to the enjoyment of all her former dislike.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1176
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1177	Their brother, indeed, was the only one of the party whom she could
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1178	regard with any complacency. His anxiety for Jane was evident, and his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1179	attentions to herself most pleasing, and they prevented her feeling
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1180	herself so much an intruder as she believed she was considered by the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1181	others. She had very little notice from any but him. Miss Bingley was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1182	engrossed by Mr. Darcy, her sister scarcely less so; and as for Mr.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1183	Hurst, by whom Elizabeth sat, he was an indolent man, who lived only to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1184	eat, drink, and play at cards; who, when he found her to prefer a plain
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1185	dish to a ragout, had nothing to say to her.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1186
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1187	When dinner was over, she returned directly to Jane, and Miss Bingley
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1188	began abusing her as soon as she was out of the room. Her manners were
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1189	pronounced to be very bad indeed, a mixture of pride and impertinence;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1190	she had no conversation, no style, no beauty. Mrs. Hurst thought the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1191	same, and added:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1192
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1193	“She has nothing, in short, to recommend her, but being an excellent
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1194	walker. I shall never forget her appearance this morning. She really
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1195	looked almost wild.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1196
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1197	“She did, indeed, Louisa. I could hardly keep my countenance. Very
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1198	nonsensical to come at all! Why must _she_ be scampering about the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1199	country, because her sister had a cold? Her hair, so untidy, so blowsy!”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1200
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1201	“Yes, and her petticoat; I hope you saw her petticoat, six inches deep
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1202	in mud, I am absolutely certain; and the gown which had been let down to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1203	hide it not doing its office.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1204
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1205	“Your picture may be very exact, Louisa,” said Bingley; “but this was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1206	all lost upon me. I thought Miss Elizabeth Bennet looked remarkably
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1207	well when she came into the room this morning. Her dirty petticoat quite
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1208	escaped my notice.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1209
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1210	“_You_ observed it, Mr. Darcy, I am sure,” said Miss Bingley; “and I am
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1211	inclined to think that you would not wish to see _your_ sister make such
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1212	an exhibition.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1213
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1214	“Certainly not.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1215
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1216	“To walk three miles, or four miles, or five miles, or whatever it is,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1217	above her ankles in dirt, and alone, quite alone! What could she mean by
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1218	it? It seems to me to show an abominable sort of conceited independence,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1219	a most country-town indifference to decorum.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1220
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1221	“It shows an affection for her sister that is very pleasing,” said
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1222	Bingley.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1223
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1224	“I am afraid, Mr. Darcy,” observed Miss Bingley in a half whisper, “that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1225	this adventure has rather affected your admiration of her fine eyes.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1226
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1227	“Not at all,” he replied; “they were brightened by the exercise.” A
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1228	short pause followed this speech, and Mrs. Hurst began again:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1229
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1230	“I have an excessive regard for Miss Jane Bennet, she is really a very
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1231	sweet girl, and I wish with all my heart she were well settled. But with
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1232	such a father and mother, and such low connections, I am afraid there is
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1233	no chance of it.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1234
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1235	“I think I have heard you say that their uncle is an attorney in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1236	Meryton.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1237
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1238	“Yes; and they have another, who lives somewhere near Cheapside.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1239
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1240	“That is capital,” added her sister, and they both laughed heartily.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1241
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1242	“If they had uncles enough to fill _all_ Cheapside,” cried Bingley, “it
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1243	would not make them one jot less agreeable.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1244
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1245	“But it must very materially lessen their chance of marrying men of any
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1246	consideration in the world,” replied Darcy.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1247
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1248	To this speech Bingley made no answer; but his sisters gave it their
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1249	hearty assent, and indulged their mirth for some time at the expense of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1250	their dear friend’s vulgar relations.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1251
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1252	With a renewal of tenderness, however, they returned to her room on
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1253	leaving the dining-parlour, and sat with her till summoned to coffee.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1254	She was still very poorly, and Elizabeth would not quit her at all, till
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1255	late in the evening, when she had the comfort of seeing her sleep, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1256	when it seemed to her rather right than pleasant that she should go
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1257	downstairs herself. On entering the drawing-room she found the whole
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1258	party at loo, and was immediately invited to join them; but suspecting
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1259	them to be playing high she declined it, and making her sister the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1260	excuse, said she would amuse herself for the short time she could stay
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1261	below, with a book. Mr. Hurst looked at her with astonishment.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1262
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1263	“Do you prefer reading to cards?” said he; “that is rather singular.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1264
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1265	“Miss Eliza Bennet,” said Miss Bingley, “despises cards. She is a great
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1266	reader, and has no pleasure in anything else.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1267
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1268	“I deserve neither such praise nor such censure,” cried Elizabeth; “I am
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1269	_not_ a great reader, and I have pleasure in many things.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1270
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1271	“In nursing your sister I am sure you have pleasure,” said Bingley; “and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1272	I hope it will be soon increased by seeing her quite well.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1273
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1274	Elizabeth thanked him from her heart, and then walked towards the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1275	table where a few books were lying. He immediately offered to fetch her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1276	others--all that his library afforded.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1277
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1278	“And I wish my collection were larger for your benefit and my own
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1279	credit; but I am an idle fellow, and though I have not many, I have more
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1280	than I ever looked into.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1281
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1282	Elizabeth assured him that she could suit herself perfectly with those
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1283	in the room.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1284
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1285	“I am astonished,” said Miss Bingley, “that my father should have left
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1286	so small a collection of books. What a delightful library you have at
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1287	Pemberley, Mr. Darcy!”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1288
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1289	“It ought to be good,” he replied, “it has been the work of many
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1290	generations.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1291
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1292	“And then you have added so much to it yourself, you are always buying
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1293	books.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1294
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1295	“I cannot comprehend the neglect of a family library in such days as
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1296	these.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1297
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1298	“Neglect! I am sure you neglect nothing that can add to the beauties of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1299	that noble place. Charles, when you build _your_ house, I wish it may be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1300	half as delightful as Pemberley.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1301
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1302	“I wish it may.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1303
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1304	“But I would really advise you to make your purchase in that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1305	neighbourhood, and take Pemberley for a kind of model. There is not a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1306	finer county in England than Derbyshire.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1307
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1308	“With all my heart; I will buy Pemberley itself if Darcy will sell it.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1309
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1310	“I am talking of possibilities, Charles.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1311
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1312	“Upon my word, Caroline, I should think it more possible to get
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1313	Pemberley by purchase than by imitation.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1314
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1315	Elizabeth was so much caught with what passed, as to leave her very
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1316	little attention for her book; and soon laying it wholly aside, she drew
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1317	near the card-table, and stationed herself between Mr. Bingley and his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1318	eldest sister, to observe the game.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1319
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1320	“Is Miss Darcy much grown since the spring?” said Miss Bingley; “will
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1321	she be as tall as I am?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1322
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1323	“I think she will. She is now about Miss Elizabeth Bennet’s height, or
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1324	rather taller.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1325
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1326	“How I long to see her again! I never met with anybody who delighted me
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1327	so much. Such a countenance, such manners! And so extremely accomplished
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1328	for her age! Her performance on the pianoforte is exquisite.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1329
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1330	“It is amazing to me,” said Bingley, “how young ladies can have patience
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1331	to be so very accomplished as they all are.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1332
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1333	“All young ladies accomplished! My dear Charles, what do you mean?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1334
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1335	“Yes, all of them, I think. They all paint tables, cover screens, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1336	net purses. I scarcely know anyone who cannot do all this, and I am sure
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1337	I never heard a young lady spoken of for the first time, without being
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1338	informed that she was very accomplished.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1339
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1340	“Your list of the common extent of accomplishments,” said Darcy, “has
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1341	too much truth. The word is applied to many a woman who deserves it no
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1342	otherwise than by netting a purse or covering a screen. But I am very
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1343	far from agreeing with you in your estimation of ladies in general. I
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1344	cannot boast of knowing more than half-a-dozen, in the whole range of my
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1345	acquaintance, that are really accomplished.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1346
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1347	“Nor I, I am sure,” said Miss Bingley.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1348
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1349	“Then,” observed Elizabeth, “you must comprehend a great deal in your
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1350	idea of an accomplished woman.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1351
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1352	“Yes, I do comprehend a great deal in it.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1353
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1354	“Oh! certainly,” cried his faithful assistant, “no one can be really
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1355	esteemed accomplished who does not greatly surpass what is usually met
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1356	with. A woman must have a thorough knowledge of music, singing, drawing,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1357	dancing, and the modern languages, to deserve the word; and besides
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1358	all this, she must possess a certain something in her air and manner of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1359	walking, the tone of her voice, her address and expressions, or the word
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1360	will be but half-deserved.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1361
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1362	“All this she must possess,” added Darcy, “and to all this she must
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1363	yet add something more substantial, in the improvement of her mind by
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1364	extensive reading.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1365
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1366	“I am no longer surprised at your knowing _only_ six accomplished women.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1367	I rather wonder now at your knowing _any_.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1368
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1369	“Are you so severe upon your own sex as to doubt the possibility of all
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1370	this?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1371
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1372	“I never saw such a woman. I never saw such capacity, and taste, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1373	application, and elegance, as you describe united.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1374
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1375	Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley both cried out against the injustice of her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1376	implied doubt, and were both protesting that they knew many women who
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1377	answered this description, when Mr. Hurst called them to order, with
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1378	bitter complaints of their inattention to what was going forward. As all
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1379	conversation was thereby at an end, Elizabeth soon afterwards left the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1380	room.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1381
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1382	“Elizabeth Bennet,” said Miss Bingley, when the door was closed on her,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1383	“is one of those young ladies who seek to recommend themselves to the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1384	other sex by undervaluing their own; and with many men, I dare say, it
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1385	succeeds. But, in my opinion, it is a paltry device, a very mean art.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1386
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1387	“Undoubtedly,” replied Darcy, to whom this remark was chiefly addressed,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1388	“there is a meanness in _all_ the arts which ladies sometimes condescend
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1389	to employ for captivation. Whatever bears affinity to cunning is
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1390	despicable.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1391
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1392	Miss Bingley was not so entirely satisfied with this reply as to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1393	continue the subject.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1394
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1395	Elizabeth joined them again only to say that her sister was worse, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1396	that she could not leave her. Bingley urged Mr. Jones being sent for
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1397	immediately; while his sisters, convinced that no country advice could
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1398	be of any service, recommended an express to town for one of the most
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1399	eminent physicians. This she would not hear of; but she was not so
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1400	unwilling to comply with their brother’s proposal; and it was settled
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1401	that Mr. Jones should be sent for early in the morning, if Miss Bennet
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1402	were not decidedly better. Bingley was quite uncomfortable; his sisters
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1403	declared that they were miserable. They solaced their wretchedness,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1404	however, by duets after supper, while he could find no better relief
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1405	to his feelings than by giving his housekeeper directions that every
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1406	attention might be paid to the sick lady and her sister.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1407
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1408
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1409
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1410	Chapter 9
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1411
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1412
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1413	Elizabeth passed the chief of the night in her sister’s room, and in the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1414	morning had the pleasure of being able to send a tolerable answer to the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1415	inquiries which she very early received from Mr. Bingley by a housemaid,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1416	and some time afterwards from the two elegant ladies who waited on his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1417	sisters. In spite of this amendment, however, she requested to have a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1418	note sent to Longbourn, desiring her mother to visit Jane, and form her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1419	own judgement of her situation. The note was immediately dispatched, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1420	its contents as quickly complied with. Mrs. Bennet, accompanied by her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1421	two youngest girls, reached Netherfield soon after the family breakfast.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1422
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1423	Had she found Jane in any apparent danger, Mrs. Bennet would have been
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1424	very miserable; but being satisfied on seeing her that her illness was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1425	not alarming, she had no wish of her recovering immediately, as her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1426	restoration to health would probably remove her from Netherfield. She
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1427	would not listen, therefore, to her daughter’s proposal of being carried
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1428	home; neither did the apothecary, who arrived about the same time, think
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1429	it at all advisable. After sitting a little while with Jane, on Miss
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1430	Bingley’s appearance and invitation, the mother and three daughters all
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1431	attended her into the breakfast parlour. Bingley met them with hopes
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1432	that Mrs. Bennet had not found Miss Bennet worse than she expected.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1433
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1434	“Indeed I have, sir,” was her answer. “She is a great deal too ill to be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1435	moved. Mr. Jones says we must not think of moving her. We must trespass
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1436	a little longer on your kindness.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1437
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1438	“Removed!” cried Bingley. “It must not be thought of. My sister, I am
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1439	sure, will not hear of her removal.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1440
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1441	“You may depend upon it, Madam,” said Miss Bingley, with cold civility,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1442	“that Miss Bennet will receive every possible attention while she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1443	remains with us.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1444
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1445	Mrs. Bennet was profuse in her acknowledgments.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1446
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1447	“I am sure,” she added, “if it was not for such good friends I do not
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1448	know what would become of her, for she is very ill indeed, and suffers
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1449	a vast deal, though with the greatest patience in the world, which is
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1450	always the way with her, for she has, without exception, the sweetest
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1451	temper I have ever met with. I often tell my other girls they are
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1452	nothing to _her_. You have a sweet room here, Mr. Bingley, and a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1453	charming prospect over the gravel walk. I do not know a place in the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1454	country that is equal to Netherfield. You will not think of quitting it
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1455	in a hurry, I hope, though you have but a short lease.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1456
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1457	“Whatever I do is done in a hurry,” replied he; “and therefore if I
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1458	should resolve to quit Netherfield, I should probably be off in five
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1459	minutes. At present, however, I consider myself as quite fixed here.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1460
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1461	“That is exactly what I should have supposed of you,” said Elizabeth.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1462
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1463	“You begin to comprehend me, do you?” cried he, turning towards her.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1464
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1465	“Oh! yes--I understand you perfectly.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1466
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1467	“I wish I might take this for a compliment; but to be so easily seen
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1468	through I am afraid is pitiful.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1469
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1470	“That is as it happens. It does not follow that a deep, intricate
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1471	character is more or less estimable than such a one as yours.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1472
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1473	“Lizzy,” cried her mother, “remember where you are, and do not run on in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1474	the wild manner that you are suffered to do at home.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1475
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1476	“I did not know before,” continued Bingley immediately, “that you were a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1477	studier of character. It must be an amusing study.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1478
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1479	“Yes, but intricate characters are the _most_ amusing. They have at
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1480	least that advantage.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1481
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1482	“The country,” said Darcy, “can in general supply but a few subjects for
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1483	such a study. In a country neighbourhood you move in a very confined and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1484	unvarying society.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1485
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1486	“But people themselves alter so much, that there is something new to be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1487	observed in them for ever.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1488
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1489	“Yes, indeed,” cried Mrs. Bennet, offended by his manner of mentioning
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1490	a country neighbourhood. “I assure you there is quite as much of _that_
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1491	going on in the country as in town.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1492
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1493	Everybody was surprised, and Darcy, after looking at her for a moment,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1494	turned silently away. Mrs. Bennet, who fancied she had gained a complete
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1495	victory over him, continued her triumph.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1496
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1497	“I cannot see that London has any great advantage over the country, for
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1498	my part, except the shops and public places. The country is a vast deal
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1499	pleasanter, is it not, Mr. Bingley?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1500
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1501	“When I am in the country,” he replied, “I never wish to leave it;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1502	and when I am in town it is pretty much the same. They have each their
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1503	advantages, and I can be equally happy in either.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1504
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1505	“Aye--that is because you have the right disposition. But that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1506	gentleman,” looking at Darcy, “seemed to think the country was nothing
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1507	at all.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1508
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1509	“Indeed, Mamma, you are mistaken,” said Elizabeth, blushing for her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1510	mother. “You quite mistook Mr. Darcy. He only meant that there was not
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1511	such a variety of people to be met with in the country as in the town,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1512	which you must acknowledge to be true.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1513
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1514	“Certainly, my dear, nobody said there were; but as to not meeting
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1515	with many people in this neighbourhood, I believe there are few
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1516	neighbourhoods larger. I know we dine with four-and-twenty families.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1517
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1518	Nothing but concern for Elizabeth could enable Bingley to keep his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1519	countenance. His sister was less delicate, and directed her eyes towards
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1520	Mr. Darcy with a very expressive smile. Elizabeth, for the sake of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1521	saying something that might turn her mother’s thoughts, now asked her if
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1522	Charlotte Lucas had been at Longbourn since _her_ coming away.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1523
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1524	“Yes, she called yesterday with her father. What an agreeable man Sir
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1525	William is, Mr. Bingley, is not he? So much the man of fashion! So
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1526	genteel and easy! He has always something to say to everybody. _That_
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1527	is my idea of good breeding; and those persons who fancy themselves very
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1528	important, and never open their mouths, quite mistake the matter.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1529
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1530	“Did Charlotte dine with you?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1531
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1532	“No, she would go home. I fancy she was wanted about the mince-pies. For
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1533	my part, Mr. Bingley, I always keep servants that can do their own work;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1534	_my_ daughters are brought up very differently. But everybody is to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1535	judge for themselves, and the Lucases are a very good sort of girls,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1536	I assure you. It is a pity they are not handsome! Not that I think
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1537	Charlotte so _very_ plain--but then she is our particular friend.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1538
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1539	“She seems a very pleasant young woman.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1540
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1541	“Oh! dear, yes; but you must own she is very plain. Lady Lucas herself
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1542	has often said so, and envied me Jane’s beauty. I do not like to boast
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1543	of my own child, but to be sure, Jane--one does not often see anybody
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1544	better looking. It is what everybody says. I do not trust my own
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1545	partiality. When she was only fifteen, there was a man at my brother
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1546	Gardiner’s in town so much in love with her that my sister-in-law was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1547	sure he would make her an offer before we came away. But, however, he
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1548	did not. Perhaps he thought her too young. However, he wrote some verses
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1549	on her, and very pretty they were.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1550
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1551	“And so ended his affection,” said Elizabeth impatiently. “There has
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1552	been many a one, I fancy, overcome in the same way. I wonder who first
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1553	discovered the efficacy of poetry in driving away love!”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1554
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1555	“I have been used to consider poetry as the _food_ of love,” said Darcy.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1556
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1557	“Of a fine, stout, healthy love it may. Everything nourishes what is
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1558	strong already. But if it be only a slight, thin sort of inclination, I
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1559	am convinced that one good sonnet will starve it entirely away.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1560
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1561	Darcy only smiled; and the general pause which ensued made Elizabeth
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1562	tremble lest her mother should be exposing herself again. She longed to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1563	speak, but could think of nothing to say; and after a short silence Mrs.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1564	Bennet began repeating her thanks to Mr. Bingley for his kindness to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1565	Jane, with an apology for troubling him also with Lizzy. Mr. Bingley was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1566	unaffectedly civil in his answer, and forced his younger sister to be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1567	civil also, and say what the occasion required. She performed her part
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1568	indeed without much graciousness, but Mrs. Bennet was satisfied, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1569	soon afterwards ordered her carriage. Upon this signal, the youngest of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1570	her daughters put herself forward. The two girls had been whispering to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1571	each other during the whole visit, and the result of it was, that the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1572	youngest should tax Mr. Bingley with having promised on his first coming
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1573	into the country to give a ball at Netherfield.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1574
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1575	Lydia was a stout, well-grown girl of fifteen, with a fine complexion
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1576	and good-humoured countenance; a favourite with her mother, whose
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1577	affection had brought her into public at an early age. She had high
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1578	animal spirits, and a sort of natural self-consequence, which the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1579	attention of the officers, to whom her uncle’s good dinners, and her own
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1580	easy manners recommended her, had increased into assurance. She was very
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1581	equal, therefore, to address Mr. Bingley on the subject of the ball, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1582	abruptly reminded him of his promise; adding, that it would be the most
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1583	shameful thing in the world if he did not keep it. His answer to this
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1584	sudden attack was delightful to their mother’s ear:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1585
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1586	“I am perfectly ready, I assure you, to keep my engagement; and when
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1587	your sister is recovered, you shall, if you please, name the very day of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1588	the ball. But you would not wish to be dancing when she is ill.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1589
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1590	Lydia declared herself satisfied. “Oh! yes--it would be much better to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1591	wait till Jane was well, and by that time most likely Captain Carter
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1592	would be at Meryton again. And when you have given _your_ ball,” she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1593	added, “I shall insist on their giving one also. I shall tell Colonel
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1594	Forster it will be quite a shame if he does not.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1595
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1596	Mrs. Bennet and her daughters then departed, and Elizabeth returned
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1597	instantly to Jane, leaving her own and her relations’ behaviour to the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1598	remarks of the two ladies and Mr. Darcy; the latter of whom, however,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1599	could not be prevailed on to join in their censure of _her_, in spite of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1600	all Miss Bingley’s witticisms on _fine eyes_.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1601
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1602
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1603
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1604	Chapter 10
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1605
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1606
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1607	The day passed much as the day before had done. Mrs. Hurst and Miss
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1608	Bingley had spent some hours of the morning with the invalid, who
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1609	continued, though slowly, to mend; and in the evening Elizabeth joined
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1610	their party in the drawing-room. The loo-table, however, did not appear.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1611	Mr. Darcy was writing, and Miss Bingley, seated near him, was watching
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1612	the progress of his letter and repeatedly calling off his attention by
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1613	messages to his sister. Mr. Hurst and Mr. Bingley were at piquet, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1614	Mrs. Hurst was observing their game.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1615
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1616	Elizabeth took up some needlework, and was sufficiently amused in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1617	attending to what passed between Darcy and his companion. The perpetual
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1618	commendations of the lady, either on his handwriting, or on the evenness
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1619	of his lines, or on the length of his letter, with the perfect unconcern
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1620	with which her praises were received, formed a curious dialogue, and was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1621	exactly in union with her opinion of each.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1622
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1623	“How delighted Miss Darcy will be to receive such a letter!”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1624
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1625	He made no answer.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1626
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1627	“You write uncommonly fast.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1628
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1629	“You are mistaken. I write rather slowly.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1630
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1631	“How many letters you must have occasion to write in the course of a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1632	year! Letters of business, too! How odious I should think them!”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1633
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1634	“It is fortunate, then, that they fall to my lot instead of yours.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1635
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1636	“Pray tell your sister that I long to see her.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1637
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1638	“I have already told her so once, by your desire.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1639
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1640	“I am afraid you do not like your pen. Let me mend it for you. I mend
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1641	pens remarkably well.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1642
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1643	“Thank you--but I always mend my own.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1644
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1645	“How can you contrive to write so even?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1646
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1647	He was silent.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1648
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1649	“Tell your sister I am delighted to hear of her improvement on the harp;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1650	and pray let her know that I am quite in raptures with her beautiful
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1651	little design for a table, and I think it infinitely superior to Miss
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1652	Grantley’s.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1653
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1654	“Will you give me leave to defer your raptures till I write again? At
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1655	present I have not room to do them justice.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1656
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1657	“Oh! it is of no consequence. I shall see her in January. But do you
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1658	always write such charming long letters to her, Mr. Darcy?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1659
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1660	“They are generally long; but whether always charming it is not for me
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1661	to determine.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1662
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1663	“It is a rule with me, that a person who can write a long letter with
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1664	ease, cannot write ill.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1665
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1666	“That will not do for a compliment to Darcy, Caroline,” cried her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1667	brother, “because he does _not_ write with ease. He studies too much for
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1668	words of four syllables. Do not you, Darcy?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1669
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1670	“My style of writing is very different from yours.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1671
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1672	“Oh!” cried Miss Bingley, “Charles writes in the most careless way
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1673	imaginable. He leaves out half his words, and blots the rest.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1674
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1675	“My ideas flow so rapidly that I have not time to express them--by which
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1676	means my letters sometimes convey no ideas at all to my correspondents.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1677
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1678	“Your humility, Mr. Bingley,” said Elizabeth, “must disarm reproof.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1679
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1680	“Nothing is more deceitful,” said Darcy, “than the appearance of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1681	humility. It is often only carelessness of opinion, and sometimes an
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1682	indirect boast.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1683
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1684	“And which of the two do you call _my_ little recent piece of modesty?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1685
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1686	“The indirect boast; for you are really proud of your defects in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1687	writing, because you consider them as proceeding from a rapidity of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1688	thought and carelessness of execution, which, if not estimable, you
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1689	think at least highly interesting. The power of doing anything with
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1690	quickness is always prized much by the possessor, and often without any
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1691	attention to the imperfection of the performance. When you told Mrs.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1692	Bennet this morning that if you ever resolved upon quitting Netherfield
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1693	you should be gone in five minutes, you meant it to be a sort of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1694	panegyric, of compliment to yourself--and yet what is there so very
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1695	laudable in a precipitance which must leave very necessary business
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1696	undone, and can be of no real advantage to yourself or anyone else?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1697
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1698	“Nay,” cried Bingley, “this is too much, to remember at night all the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1699	foolish things that were said in the morning. And yet, upon my honour,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1700	I believe what I said of myself to be true, and I believe it at this
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1701	moment. At least, therefore, I did not assume the character of needless
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1702	precipitance merely to show off before the ladies.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1703
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1704	“I dare say you believed it; but I am by no means convinced that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1705	you would be gone with such celerity. Your conduct would be quite as
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1706	dependent on chance as that of any man I know; and if, as you were
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1707	mounting your horse, a friend were to say, ‘Bingley, you had better
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1708	stay till next week,’ you would probably do it, you would probably not
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1709	go--and at another word, might stay a month.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1710
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1711	“You have only proved by this,” cried Elizabeth, “that Mr. Bingley did
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1712	not do justice to his own disposition. You have shown him off now much
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1713	more than he did himself.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1714
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1715	“I am exceedingly gratified,” said Bingley, “by your converting what my
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1716	friend says into a compliment on the sweetness of my temper. But I am
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1717	afraid you are giving it a turn which that gentleman did by no means
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1718	intend; for he would certainly think better of me, if under such a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1719	circumstance I were to give a flat denial, and ride off as fast as I
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1720	could.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1721
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1722	“Would Mr. Darcy then consider the rashness of your original intentions
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1723	as atoned for by your obstinacy in adhering to it?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1724
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1725	“Upon my word, I cannot exactly explain the matter; Darcy must speak for
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1726	himself.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1727
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1728	“You expect me to account for opinions which you choose to call mine,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1729	but which I have never acknowledged. Allowing the case, however, to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1730	stand according to your representation, you must remember, Miss Bennet,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1731	that the friend who is supposed to desire his return to the house, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1732	the delay of his plan, has merely desired it, asked it without offering
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1733	one argument in favour of its propriety.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1734
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1735	“To yield readily--easily--to the _persuasion_ of a friend is no merit
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1736	with you.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1737
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1738	“To yield without conviction is no compliment to the understanding of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1739	either.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1740
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1741	“You appear to me, Mr. Darcy, to allow nothing for the influence of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1742	friendship and affection. A regard for the requester would often make
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1743	one readily yield to a request, without waiting for arguments to reason
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1744	one into it. I am not particularly speaking of such a case as you have
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1745	supposed about Mr. Bingley. We may as well wait, perhaps, till the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1746	circumstance occurs before we discuss the discretion of his behaviour
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1747	thereupon. But in general and ordinary cases between friend and friend,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1748	where one of them is desired by the other to change a resolution of no
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1749	very great moment, should you think ill of that person for complying
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1750	with the desire, without waiting to be argued into it?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1751
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1752	“Will it not be advisable, before we proceed on this subject, to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1753	arrange with rather more precision the degree of importance which is to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1754	appertain to this request, as well as the degree of intimacy subsisting
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1755	between the parties?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1756
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1757	“By all means,” cried Bingley; “let us hear all the particulars, not
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1758	forgetting their comparative height and size; for that will have more
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1759	weight in the argument, Miss Bennet, than you may be aware of. I assure
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1760	you, that if Darcy were not such a great tall fellow, in comparison with
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1761	myself, I should not pay him half so much deference. I declare I do not
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1762	know a more awful object than Darcy, on particular occasions, and in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1763	particular places; at his own house especially, and of a Sunday evening,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1764	when he has nothing to do.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1765
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1766	Mr. Darcy smiled; but Elizabeth thought she could perceive that he was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1767	rather offended, and therefore checked her laugh. Miss Bingley warmly
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1768	resented the indignity he had received, in an expostulation with her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1769	brother for talking such nonsense.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1770
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1771	“I see your design, Bingley,” said his friend. “You dislike an argument,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1772	and want to silence this.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1773
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1774	“Perhaps I do. Arguments are too much like disputes. If you and Miss
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1775	Bennet will defer yours till I am out of the room, I shall be very
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1776	thankful; and then you may say whatever you like of me.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1777
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1778	“What you ask,” said Elizabeth, “is no sacrifice on my side; and Mr.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1779	Darcy had much better finish his letter.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1780
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1781	Mr. Darcy took her advice, and did finish his letter.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1782
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1783	When that business was over, he applied to Miss Bingley and Elizabeth
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1784	for an indulgence of some music. Miss Bingley moved with some alacrity
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1785	to the pianoforte; and, after a polite request that Elizabeth would lead
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1786	the way which the other as politely and more earnestly negatived, she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1787	seated herself.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1788
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1789	Mrs. Hurst sang with her sister, and while they were thus employed,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1790	Elizabeth could not help observing, as she turned over some music-books
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1791	that lay on the instrument, how frequently Mr. Darcy’s eyes were fixed
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1792	on her. She hardly knew how to suppose that she could be an object of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1793	admiration to so great a man; and yet that he should look at her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1794	because he disliked her, was still more strange. She could only imagine,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1795	however, at last that she drew his notice because there was something
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1796	more wrong and reprehensible, according to his ideas of right, than in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1797	any other person present. The supposition did not pain her. She liked
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1798	him too little to care for his approbation.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1799
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1800	After playing some Italian songs, Miss Bingley varied the charm by
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1801	a lively Scotch air; and soon afterwards Mr. Darcy, drawing near
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1802	Elizabeth, said to her:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1803
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1804	“Do not you feel a great inclination, Miss Bennet, to seize such an
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1805	opportunity of dancing a reel?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1806
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1807	She smiled, but made no answer. He repeated the question, with some
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1808	surprise at her silence.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1809
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1810	“Oh!” said she, “I heard you before, but I could not immediately
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1811	determine what to say in reply. You wanted me, I know, to say ‘Yes,’
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1812	that you might have the pleasure of despising my taste; but I always
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1813	delight in overthrowing those kind of schemes, and cheating a person of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1814	their premeditated contempt. I have, therefore, made up my mind to tell
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1815	you, that I do not want to dance a reel at all--and now despise me if
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1816	you dare.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1817
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1818	“Indeed I do not dare.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1819
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1820	Elizabeth, having rather expected to affront him, was amazed at his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1821	gallantry; but there was a mixture of sweetness and archness in her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1822	manner which made it difficult for her to affront anybody; and Darcy
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1823	had never been so bewitched by any woman as he was by her. He really
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1824	believed, that were it not for the inferiority of her connections, he
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1825	should be in some danger.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1826
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1827	Miss Bingley saw, or suspected enough to be jealous; and her great
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1828	anxiety for the recovery of her dear friend Jane received some
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1829	assistance from her desire of getting rid of Elizabeth.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1830
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1831	She often tried to provoke Darcy into disliking her guest, by talking of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1832	their supposed marriage, and planning his happiness in such an alliance.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1833
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1834	“I hope,” said she, as they were walking together in the shrubbery
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1835	the next day, “you will give your mother-in-law a few hints, when this
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1836	desirable event takes place, as to the advantage of holding her tongue;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1837	and if you can compass it, do cure the younger girls of running after
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1838	officers. And, if I may mention so delicate a subject, endeavour to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1839	check that little something, bordering on conceit and impertinence,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1840	which your lady possesses.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1841
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1842	“Have you anything else to propose for my domestic felicity?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1843
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1844	“Oh! yes. Do let the portraits of your uncle and aunt Phillips be placed
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1845	in the gallery at Pemberley. Put them next to your great-uncle the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1846	judge. They are in the same profession, you know, only in different
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1847	lines. As for your Elizabeth’s picture, you must not have it taken, for
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1848	what painter could do justice to those beautiful eyes?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1849
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1850	“It would not be easy, indeed, to catch their expression, but their
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1851	colour and shape, and the eyelashes, so remarkably fine, might be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1852	copied.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1853
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1854	At that moment they were met from another walk by Mrs. Hurst and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1855	Elizabeth herself.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1856
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1857	“I did not know that you intended to walk,” said Miss Bingley, in some
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1858	confusion, lest they had been overheard.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1859
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1860	“You used us abominably ill,” answered Mrs. Hurst, “running away without
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1861	telling us that you were coming out.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1862
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1863	Then taking the disengaged arm of Mr. Darcy, she left Elizabeth to walk
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1864	by herself. The path just admitted three. Mr. Darcy felt their rudeness,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1865	and immediately said:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1866
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1867	“This walk is not wide enough for our party. We had better go into the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1868	avenue.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1869
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1870	But Elizabeth, who had not the least inclination to remain with them,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1871	laughingly answered:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1872
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1873	“No, no; stay where you are. You are charmingly grouped, and appear
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1874	to uncommon advantage. The picturesque would be spoilt by admitting a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1875	fourth. Good-bye.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1876
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1877	She then ran gaily off, rejoicing as she rambled about, in the hope of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1878	being at home again in a day or two. Jane was already so much recovered
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1879	as to intend leaving her room for a couple of hours that evening.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1880
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1881
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1882
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1883	Chapter 11
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1884
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1885
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1886	When the ladies removed after dinner, Elizabeth ran up to her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1887	sister, and seeing her well guarded from cold, attended her into the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1888	drawing-room, where she was welcomed by her two friends with many
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1889	professions of pleasure; and Elizabeth had never seen them so agreeable
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1890	as they were during the hour which passed before the gentlemen appeared.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1891	Their powers of conversation were considerable. They could describe an
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1892	entertainment with accuracy, relate an anecdote with humour, and laugh
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1893	at their acquaintance with spirit.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1894
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1895	But when the gentlemen entered, Jane was no longer the first object;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1896	Miss Bingley’s eyes were instantly turned toward Darcy, and she had
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1897	something to say to him before he had advanced many steps. He addressed
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1898	himself to Miss Bennet, with a polite congratulation; Mr. Hurst also
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1899	made her a slight bow, and said he was “very glad;” but diffuseness
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1900	and warmth remained for Bingley’s salutation. He was full of joy and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1901	attention. The first half-hour was spent in piling up the fire, lest she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1902	should suffer from the change of room; and she removed at his desire
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1903	to the other side of the fireplace, that she might be further from
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1904	the door. He then sat down by her, and talked scarcely to anyone
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1905	else. Elizabeth, at work in the opposite corner, saw it all with great
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1906	delight.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1907
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1908	When tea was over, Mr. Hurst reminded his sister-in-law of the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1909	card-table--but in vain. She had obtained private intelligence that Mr.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1910	Darcy did not wish for cards; and Mr. Hurst soon found even his open
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1911	petition rejected. She assured him that no one intended to play, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1912	the silence of the whole party on the subject seemed to justify her. Mr.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1913	Hurst had therefore nothing to do, but to stretch himself on one of the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1914	sofas and go to sleep. Darcy took up a book; Miss Bingley did the same;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1915	and Mrs. Hurst, principally occupied in playing with her bracelets
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1916	and rings, joined now and then in her brother’s conversation with Miss
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1917	Bennet.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1918
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1919	Miss Bingley’s attention was quite as much engaged in watching Mr.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1920	Darcy’s progress through _his_ book, as in reading her own; and she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1921	was perpetually either making some inquiry, or looking at his page. She
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1922	could not win him, however, to any conversation; he merely answered her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1923	question, and read on. At length, quite exhausted by the attempt to be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1924	amused with her own book, which she had only chosen because it was the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1925	second volume of his, she gave a great yawn and said, “How pleasant
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1926	it is to spend an evening in this way! I declare after all there is no
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1927	enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires of anything than of a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1928	book! When I have a house of my own, I shall be miserable if I have not
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1929	an excellent library.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1930
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1931	No one made any reply. She then yawned again, threw aside her book, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1932	cast her eyes round the room in quest for some amusement; when hearing
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1933	her brother mentioning a ball to Miss Bennet, she turned suddenly
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1934	towards him and said:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1935
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1936	“By the bye, Charles, are you really serious in meditating a dance at
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1937	Netherfield? I would advise you, before you determine on it, to consult
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1938	the wishes of the present party; I am much mistaken if there are
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1939	not some among us to whom a ball would be rather a punishment than a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1940	pleasure.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1941
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1942	“If you mean Darcy,” cried her brother, “he may go to bed, if he
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1943	chooses, before it begins--but as for the ball, it is quite a settled
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1944	thing; and as soon as Nicholls has made white soup enough, I shall send
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1945	round my cards.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1946
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1947	“I should like balls infinitely better,” she replied, “if they were
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1948	carried on in a different manner; but there is something insufferably
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1949	tedious in the usual process of such a meeting. It would surely be much
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1950	more rational if conversation instead of dancing were made the order of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1951	the day.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1952
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1953	“Much more rational, my dear Caroline, I dare say, but it would not be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1954	near so much like a ball.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1955
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1956	Miss Bingley made no answer, and soon afterwards she got up and walked
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1957	about the room. Her figure was elegant, and she walked well; but
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1958	Darcy, at whom it was all aimed, was still inflexibly studious. In
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1959	the desperation of her feelings, she resolved on one effort more, and,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1960	turning to Elizabeth, said:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1961
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1962	“Miss Eliza Bennet, let me persuade you to follow my example, and take a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1963	turn about the room. I assure you it is very refreshing after sitting so
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1964	long in one attitude.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1965
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1966	Elizabeth was surprised, but agreed to it immediately. Miss Bingley
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1967	succeeded no less in the real object of her civility; Mr. Darcy looked
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1968	up. He was as much awake to the novelty of attention in that quarter as
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1969	Elizabeth herself could be, and unconsciously closed his book. He was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1970	directly invited to join their party, but he declined it, observing that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1971	he could imagine but two motives for their choosing to walk up and down
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1972	the room together, with either of which motives his joining them would
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1973	interfere. “What could he mean? She was dying to know what could be his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1974	meaning?”--and asked Elizabeth whether she could at all understand him?
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1975
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1976	“Not at all,” was her answer; “but depend upon it, he means to be severe
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1977	on us, and our surest way of disappointing him will be to ask nothing
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1978	about it.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1979
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1980	Miss Bingley, however, was incapable of disappointing Mr. Darcy in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1981	anything, and persevered therefore in requiring an explanation of his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1982	two motives.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1983
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1984	“I have not the smallest objection to explaining them,” said he, as soon
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1985	as she allowed him to speak. “You either choose this method of passing
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1986	the evening because you are in each other’s confidence, and have secret
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1987	affairs to discuss, or because you are conscious that your figures
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1988	appear to the greatest advantage in walking; if the first, I would be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1989	completely in your way, and if the second, I can admire you much better
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1990	as I sit by the fire.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1991
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1992	“Oh! shocking!” cried Miss Bingley. “I never heard anything so
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1993	abominable. How shall we punish him for such a speech?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1994
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1995	“Nothing so easy, if you have but the inclination,” said Elizabeth. “We
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1996	can all plague and punish one another. Tease him--laugh at him. Intimate
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1997	as you are, you must know how it is to be done.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1998
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	1999	“But upon my honour, I do _not_. I do assure you that my intimacy has
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2000	not yet taught me _that_. Tease calmness of manner and presence of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2001	mind! No, no; I feel he may defy us there. And as to laughter, we will
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2002	not expose ourselves, if you please, by attempting to laugh without a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2003	subject. Mr. Darcy may hug himself.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2004
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2005	“Mr. Darcy is not to be laughed at!” cried Elizabeth. “That is an
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2006	uncommon advantage, and uncommon I hope it will continue, for it would
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2007	be a great loss to _me_ to have many such acquaintances. I dearly love a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2008	laugh.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2009
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2010	“Miss Bingley,” said he, “has given me more credit than can be.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2011	The wisest and the best of men--nay, the wisest and best of their
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2012	actions--may be rendered ridiculous by a person whose first object in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2013	life is a joke.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2014
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2015	“Certainly,” replied Elizabeth--“there are such people, but I hope I
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2016	am not one of _them_. I hope I never ridicule what is wise and good.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2017	Follies and nonsense, whims and inconsistencies, _do_ divert me, I own,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2018	and I laugh at them whenever I can. But these, I suppose, are precisely
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2019	what you are without.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2020
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2021	“Perhaps that is not possible for anyone. But it has been the study
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2022	of my life to avoid those weaknesses which often expose a strong
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2023	understanding to ridicule.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2024
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2025	“Such as vanity and pride.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2026
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2027	“Yes, vanity is a weakness indeed. But pride--where there is a real
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2028	superiority of mind, pride will be always under good regulation.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2029
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2030	Elizabeth turned away to hide a smile.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2031
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2032	“Your examination of Mr. Darcy is over, I presume,” said Miss Bingley;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2033	“and pray what is the result?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2034
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2035	“I am perfectly convinced by it that Mr. Darcy has no defect. He owns it
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2036	himself without disguise.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2037
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2038	“No,” said Darcy, “I have made no such pretension. I have faults enough,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2039	but they are not, I hope, of understanding. My temper I dare not vouch
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2040	for. It is, I believe, too little yielding--certainly too little for the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2041	convenience of the world. I cannot forget the follies and vices of others
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2042	so soon as I ought, nor their offenses against myself. My feelings
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2043	are not puffed about with every attempt to move them. My temper
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2044	would perhaps be called resentful. My good opinion once lost, is lost
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2045	forever.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2046
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2047	“_That_ is a failing indeed!” cried Elizabeth. “Implacable resentment
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2048	_is_ a shade in a character. But you have chosen your fault well. I
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2049	really cannot _laugh_ at it. You are safe from me.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2050
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2051	“There is, I believe, in every disposition a tendency to some particular
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2052	evil--a natural defect, which not even the best education can overcome.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2053
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2054	“And _your_ defect is to hate everybody.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2055
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2056	“And yours,” he replied with a smile, “is willfully to misunderstand
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2057	them.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2058
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2059	“Do let us have a little music,” cried Miss Bingley, tired of a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2060	conversation in which she had no share. “Louisa, you will not mind my
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2061	waking Mr. Hurst?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2062
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2063	Her sister had not the smallest objection, and the pianoforte was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2064	opened; and Darcy, after a few moments’ recollection, was not sorry for
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2065	it. He began to feel the danger of paying Elizabeth too much attention.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2066
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2067
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2068
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2069	Chapter 12
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2070
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2071
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2072	In consequence of an agreement between the sisters, Elizabeth wrote the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2073	next morning to their mother, to beg that the carriage might be sent for
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2074	them in the course of the day. But Mrs. Bennet, who had calculated on
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2075	her daughters remaining at Netherfield till the following Tuesday, which
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2076	would exactly finish Jane’s week, could not bring herself to receive
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2077	them with pleasure before. Her answer, therefore, was not propitious, at
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2078	least not to Elizabeth’s wishes, for she was impatient to get home. Mrs.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2079	Bennet sent them word that they could not possibly have the carriage
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2080	before Tuesday; and in her postscript it was added, that if Mr. Bingley
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2081	and his sister pressed them to stay longer, she could spare them
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2082	very well. Against staying longer, however, Elizabeth was positively
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2083	resolved--nor did she much expect it would be asked; and fearful, on the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2084	contrary, as being considered as intruding themselves needlessly long,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2085	she urged Jane to borrow Mr. Bingley’s carriage immediately, and at
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2086	length it was settled that their original design of leaving Netherfield
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2087	that morning should be mentioned, and the request made.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2088
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2089	The communication excited many professions of concern; and enough was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2090	said of wishing them to stay at least till the following day to work
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2091	on Jane; and till the morrow their going was deferred. Miss Bingley was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2092	then sorry that she had proposed the delay, for her jealousy and dislike
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2093	of one sister much exceeded her affection for the other.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2094
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2095	The master of the house heard with real sorrow that they were to go so
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2096	soon, and repeatedly tried to persuade Miss Bennet that it would not be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2097	safe for her--that she was not enough recovered; but Jane was firm where
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2098	she felt herself to be right.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2099
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2100	To Mr. Darcy it was welcome intelligence--Elizabeth had been at
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2101	Netherfield long enough. She attracted him more than he liked--and Miss
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2102	Bingley was uncivil to _her_, and more teasing than usual to himself.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2103	He wisely resolved to be particularly careful that no sign of admiration
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2104	should _now_ escape him, nothing that could elevate her with the hope
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2105	of influencing his felicity; sensible that if such an idea had been
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2106	suggested, his behaviour during the last day must have material weight
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2107	in confirming or crushing it. Steady to his purpose, he scarcely spoke
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2108	ten words to her through the whole of Saturday, and though they were
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2109	at one time left by themselves for half-an-hour, he adhered most
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2110	conscientiously to his book, and would not even look at her.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2111
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2112	On Sunday, after morning service, the separation, so agreeable to almost
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2113	all, took place. Miss Bingley’s civility to Elizabeth increased at last
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2114	very rapidly, as well as her affection for Jane; and when they parted,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2115	after assuring the latter of the pleasure it would always give her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2116	to see her either at Longbourn or Netherfield, and embracing her most
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2117	tenderly, she even shook hands with the former. Elizabeth took leave of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2118	the whole party in the liveliest of spirits.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2119
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2120	They were not welcomed home very cordially by their mother. Mrs. Bennet
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2121	wondered at their coming, and thought them very wrong to give so much
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2122	trouble, and was sure Jane would have caught cold again. But their
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2123	father, though very laconic in his expressions of pleasure, was really
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2124	glad to see them; he had felt their importance in the family circle. The
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2125	evening conversation, when they were all assembled, had lost much of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2126	its animation, and almost all its sense by the absence of Jane and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2127	Elizabeth.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2128
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2129	They found Mary, as usual, deep in the study of thorough-bass and human
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2130	nature; and had some extracts to admire, and some new observations of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2131	threadbare morality to listen to. Catherine and Lydia had information
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2132	for them of a different sort. Much had been done and much had been said
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2133	in the regiment since the preceding Wednesday; several of the officers
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2134	had dined lately with their uncle, a private had been flogged, and it
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2135	had actually been hinted that Colonel Forster was going to be married.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2136
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2137
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2138
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2139	Chapter 13
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2140
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2141
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2142	“I hope, my dear,” said Mr. Bennet to his wife, as they were at
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2143	breakfast the next morning, “that you have ordered a good dinner to-day,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2144	because I have reason to expect an addition to our family party.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2145
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2146	“Who do you mean, my dear? I know of nobody that is coming, I am sure,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2147	unless Charlotte Lucas should happen to call in--and I hope _my_ dinners
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2148	are good enough for her. I do not believe she often sees such at home.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2149
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2150	“The person of whom I speak is a gentleman, and a stranger.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2151
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2152	Mrs. Bennet’s eyes sparkled. “A gentleman and a stranger! It is Mr.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2153	Bingley, I am sure! Well, I am sure I shall be extremely glad to see Mr.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2154	Bingley. But--good Lord! how unlucky! There is not a bit of fish to be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2155	got to-day. Lydia, my love, ring the bell--I must speak to Hill this
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2156	moment.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2157
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2158	“It is _not_ Mr. Bingley,” said her husband; “it is a person whom I
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2159	never saw in the whole course of my life.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2160
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2161	This roused a general astonishment; and he had the pleasure of being
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2162	eagerly questioned by his wife and his five daughters at once.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2163
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2164	After amusing himself some time with their curiosity, he thus explained:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2165
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2166	“About a month ago I received this letter; and about a fortnight ago
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2167	I answered it, for I thought it a case of some delicacy, and requiring
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2168	early attention. It is from my cousin, Mr. Collins, who, when I am dead,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2169	may turn you all out of this house as soon as he pleases.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2170
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2171	“Oh! my dear,” cried his wife, “I cannot bear to hear that mentioned.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2172	Pray do not talk of that odious man. I do think it is the hardest thing
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2173	in the world, that your estate should be entailed away from your own
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2174	children; and I am sure, if I had been you, I should have tried long ago
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2175	to do something or other about it.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2176
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2177	Jane and Elizabeth tried to explain to her the nature of an entail. They
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2178	had often attempted to do it before, but it was a subject on which
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2179	Mrs. Bennet was beyond the reach of reason, and she continued to rail
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2180	bitterly against the cruelty of settling an estate away from a family of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2181	five daughters, in favour of a man whom nobody cared anything about.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2182
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2183	“It certainly is a most iniquitous affair,” said Mr. Bennet, “and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2184	nothing can clear Mr. Collins from the guilt of inheriting Longbourn.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2185	But if you will listen to his letter, you may perhaps be a little
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2186	softened by his manner of expressing himself.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2187
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2188	“No, that I am sure I shall not; and I think it is very impertinent of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2189	him to write to you at all, and very hypocritical. I hate such false
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2190	friends. Why could he not keep on quarreling with you, as his father did
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2191	before him?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2192
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2193	“Why, indeed; he does seem to have had some filial scruples on that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2194	head, as you will hear.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2195
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2196	“Hunsford, near Westerham, Kent, 15th October.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2197
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2198	“Dear Sir,--
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2199
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2200	“The disagreement subsisting between yourself and my late honoured
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2201	father always gave me much uneasiness, and since I have had the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2202	misfortune to lose him, I have frequently wished to heal the breach; but
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2203	for some time I was kept back by my own doubts, fearing lest it might
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2204	seem disrespectful to his memory for me to be on good terms with anyone
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2205	with whom it had always pleased him to be at variance.--‘There, Mrs.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2206	Bennet.’--My mind, however, is now made up on the subject, for having
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2207	received ordination at Easter, I have been so fortunate as to be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2208	distinguished by the patronage of the Right Honourable Lady Catherine de
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2209	Bourgh, widow of Sir Lewis de Bourgh, whose bounty and beneficence has
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2210	preferred me to the valuable rectory of this parish, where it shall be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2211	my earnest endeavour to demean myself with grateful respect towards her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2212	ladyship, and be ever ready to perform those rites and ceremonies which
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2213	are instituted by the Church of England. As a clergyman, moreover, I
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2214	feel it my duty to promote and establish the blessing of peace in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2215	all families within the reach of my influence; and on these grounds I
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2216	flatter myself that my present overtures are highly commendable, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2217	that the circumstance of my being next in the entail of Longbourn estate
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2218	will be kindly overlooked on your side, and not lead you to reject the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2219	offered olive-branch. I cannot be otherwise than concerned at being the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2220	means of injuring your amiable daughters, and beg leave to apologise for
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2221	it, as well as to assure you of my readiness to make them every possible
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2222	amends--but of this hereafter. If you should have no objection to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2223	receive me into your house, I propose myself the satisfaction of waiting
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2224	on you and your family, Monday, November 18th, by four o’clock, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2225	shall probably trespass on your hospitality till the Saturday se’ennight
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2226	following, which I can do without any inconvenience, as Lady Catherine
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2227	is far from objecting to my occasional absence on a Sunday, provided
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2228	that some other clergyman is engaged to do the duty of the day.--I
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2229	remain, dear sir, with respectful compliments to your lady and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2230	daughters, your well-wisher and friend,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2231
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2232	“WILLIAM COLLINS”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2233
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2234	“At four o’clock, therefore, we may expect this peace-making gentleman,”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2235	said Mr. Bennet, as he folded up the letter. “He seems to be a most
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2236	conscientious and polite young man, upon my word, and I doubt not will
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2237	prove a valuable acquaintance, especially if Lady Catherine should be so
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2238	indulgent as to let him come to us again.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2239
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2240	“There is some sense in what he says about the girls, however, and if
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2241	he is disposed to make them any amends, I shall not be the person to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2242	discourage him.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2243
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2244	“Though it is difficult,” said Jane, “to guess in what way he can mean
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2245	to make us the atonement he thinks our due, the wish is certainly to his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2246	credit.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2247
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2248	Elizabeth was chiefly struck by his extraordinary deference for Lady
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2249	Catherine, and his kind intention of christening, marrying, and burying
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2250	his parishioners whenever it were required.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2251
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2252	“He must be an oddity, I think,” said she. “I cannot make him
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2253	out.--There is something very pompous in his style.--And what can he
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2254	mean by apologising for being next in the entail?--We cannot suppose he
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2255	would help it if he could.--Could he be a sensible man, sir?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2256
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2257	“No, my dear, I think not. I have great hopes of finding him quite the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2258	reverse. There is a mixture of servility and self-importance in his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2259	letter, which promises well. I am impatient to see him.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2260
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2261	“In point of composition,” said Mary, “the letter does not seem
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2262	defective. The idea of the olive-branch perhaps is not wholly new, yet I
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2263	think it is well expressed.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2264
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2265	To Catherine and Lydia, neither the letter nor its writer were in any
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2266	degree interesting. It was next to impossible that their cousin should
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2267	come in a scarlet coat, and it was now some weeks since they had
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2268	received pleasure from the society of a man in any other colour. As for
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2269	their mother, Mr. Collins’s letter had done away much of her ill-will,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2270	and she was preparing to see him with a degree of composure which
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2271	astonished her husband and daughters.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2272
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2273	Mr. Collins was punctual to his time, and was received with great
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2274	politeness by the whole family. Mr. Bennet indeed said little; but the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2275	ladies were ready enough to talk, and Mr. Collins seemed neither in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2276	need of encouragement, nor inclined to be silent himself. He was a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2277	tall, heavy-looking young man of five-and-twenty. His air was grave and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2278	stately, and his manners were very formal. He had not been long seated
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2279	before he complimented Mrs. Bennet on having so fine a family of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2280	daughters; said he had heard much of their beauty, but that in this
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2281	instance fame had fallen short of the truth; and added, that he did
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2282	not doubt her seeing them all in due time disposed of in marriage. This
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2283	gallantry was not much to the taste of some of his hearers; but Mrs.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2284	Bennet, who quarreled with no compliments, answered most readily.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2285
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2286	“You are very kind, I am sure; and I wish with all my heart it may
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2287	prove so, for else they will be destitute enough. Things are settled so
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2288	oddly.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2289
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2290	“You allude, perhaps, to the entail of this estate.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2291
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2292	“Ah! sir, I do indeed. It is a grievous affair to my poor girls, you
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2293	must confess. Not that I mean to find fault with _you_, for such things
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2294	I know are all chance in this world. There is no knowing how estates
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2295	will go when once they come to be entailed.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2296
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2297	“I am very sensible, madam, of the hardship to my fair cousins, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2298	could say much on the subject, but that I am cautious of appearing
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2299	forward and precipitate. But I can assure the young ladies that I come
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2300	prepared to admire them. At present I will not say more; but, perhaps,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2301	when we are better acquainted--”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2302
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2303	He was interrupted by a summons to dinner; and the girls smiled on each
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2304	other. They were not the only objects of Mr. Collins’s admiration. The
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2305	hall, the dining-room, and all its furniture, were examined and praised;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2306	and his commendation of everything would have touched Mrs. Bennet’s
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2307	heart, but for the mortifying supposition of his viewing it all as his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2308	own future property. The dinner too in its turn was highly admired; and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2309	he begged to know to which of his fair cousins the excellency of its
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2310	cooking was owing. But he was set right there by Mrs. Bennet, who
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2311	assured him with some asperity that they were very well able to keep a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2312	good cook, and that her daughters had nothing to do in the kitchen. He
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2313	begged pardon for having displeased her. In a softened tone she declared
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2314	herself not at all offended; but he continued to apologise for about a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2315	quarter of an hour.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2316
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2317
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2318
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2319	Chapter 14
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2320
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2321
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2322	During dinner, Mr. Bennet scarcely spoke at all; but when the servants
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2323	were withdrawn, he thought it time to have some conversation with his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2324	guest, and therefore started a subject in which he expected him to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2325	shine, by observing that he seemed very fortunate in his patroness. Lady
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2326	Catherine de Bourgh’s attention to his wishes, and consideration for
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2327	his comfort, appeared very remarkable. Mr. Bennet could not have chosen
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2328	better. Mr. Collins was eloquent in her praise. The subject elevated him
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2329	to more than usual solemnity of manner, and with a most important aspect
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2330	he protested that “he had never in his life witnessed such behaviour in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2331	a person of rank--such affability and condescension, as he had himself
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2332	experienced from Lady Catherine. She had been graciously pleased to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2333	approve of both of the discourses which he had already had the honour of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2334	preaching before her. She had also asked him twice to dine at Rosings,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2335	and had sent for him only the Saturday before, to make up her pool of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2336	quadrille in the evening. Lady Catherine was reckoned proud by many
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2337	people he knew, but _he_ had never seen anything but affability in her.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2338	She had always spoken to him as she would to any other gentleman; she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2339	made not the smallest objection to his joining in the society of the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2340	neighbourhood nor to his leaving the parish occasionally for a week or
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2341	two, to visit his relations. She had even condescended to advise him to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2342	marry as soon as he could, provided he chose with discretion; and had
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2343	once paid him a visit in his humble parsonage, where she had perfectly
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2344	approved all the alterations he had been making, and had even vouchsafed
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2345	to suggest some herself--some shelves in the closet up stairs.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2346
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2347	“That is all very proper and civil, I am sure,” said Mrs. Bennet, “and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2348	I dare say she is a very agreeable woman. It is a pity that great ladies
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2349	in general are not more like her. Does she live near you, sir?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2350
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2351	“The garden in which stands my humble abode is separated only by a lane
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2352	from Rosings Park, her ladyship’s residence.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2353
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2354	“I think you said she was a widow, sir? Has she any family?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2355
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2356	“She has only one daughter, the heiress of Rosings, and of very
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2357	extensive property.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2358
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2359	“Ah!” said Mrs. Bennet, shaking her head, “then she is better off than
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2360	many girls. And what sort of young lady is she? Is she handsome?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2361
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2362	“She is a most charming young lady indeed. Lady Catherine herself says
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2363	that, in point of true beauty, Miss de Bourgh is far superior to the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2364	handsomest of her sex, because there is that in her features which marks
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2365	the young lady of distinguished birth. She is unfortunately of a sickly
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2366	constitution, which has prevented her from making that progress in many
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2367	accomplishments which she could not have otherwise failed of, as I am
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2368	informed by the lady who superintended her education, and who still
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2369	resides with them. But she is perfectly amiable, and often condescends
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2370	to drive by my humble abode in her little phaeton and ponies.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2371
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2372	“Has she been presented? I do not remember her name among the ladies at
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2373	court.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2374
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2375	“Her indifferent state of health unhappily prevents her being in town;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2376	and by that means, as I told Lady Catherine one day, has deprived the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2377	British court of its brightest ornament. Her ladyship seemed pleased
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2378	with the idea; and you may imagine that I am happy on every occasion to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2379	offer those little delicate compliments which are always acceptable
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2380	to ladies. I have more than once observed to Lady Catherine, that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2381	her charming daughter seemed born to be a duchess, and that the most
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2382	elevated rank, instead of giving her consequence, would be adorned by
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2383	her. These are the kind of little things which please her ladyship, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2384	it is a sort of attention which I conceive myself peculiarly bound to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2385	pay.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2386
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2387	“You judge very properly,” said Mr. Bennet, “and it is happy for you
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2388	that you possess the talent of flattering with delicacy. May I ask
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2389	whether these pleasing attentions proceed from the impulse of the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2390	moment, or are the result of previous study?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2391
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2392	“They arise chiefly from what is passing at the time, and though I
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2393	sometimes amuse myself with suggesting and arranging such little elegant
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2394	compliments as may be adapted to ordinary occasions, I always wish to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2395	give them as unstudied an air as possible.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2396
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2397	Mr. Bennet’s expectations were fully answered. His cousin was as absurd
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2398	as he had hoped, and he listened to him with the keenest enjoyment,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2399	maintaining at the same time the most resolute composure of countenance,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2400	and, except in an occasional glance at Elizabeth, requiring no partner
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2401	in his pleasure.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2402
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2403	By tea-time, however, the dose had been enough, and Mr. Bennet was glad
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2404	to take his guest into the drawing-room again, and, when tea was over,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2405	glad to invite him to read aloud to the ladies. Mr. Collins readily
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2406	assented, and a book was produced; but, on beholding it (for everything
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2407	announced it to be from a circulating library), he started back, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2408	begging pardon, protested that he never read novels. Kitty stared at
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2409	him, and Lydia exclaimed. Other books were produced, and after some
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2410	deliberation he chose Fordyce’s Sermons. Lydia gaped as he opened the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2411	volume, and before he had, with very monotonous solemnity, read three
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2412	pages, she interrupted him with:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2413
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2414	“Do you know, mamma, that my uncle Phillips talks of turning away
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2415	Richard; and if he does, Colonel Forster will hire him. My aunt told me
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2416	so herself on Saturday. I shall walk to Meryton to-morrow to hear more
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2417	about it, and to ask when Mr. Denny comes back from town.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2418
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2419	Lydia was bid by her two eldest sisters to hold her tongue; but Mr.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2420	Collins, much offended, laid aside his book, and said:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2421
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2422	“I have often observed how little young ladies are interested by books
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2423	of a serious stamp, though written solely for their benefit. It amazes
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2424	me, I confess; for, certainly, there can be nothing so advantageous to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2425	them as instruction. But I will no longer importune my young cousin.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2426
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2427	Then turning to Mr. Bennet, he offered himself as his antagonist at
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2428	backgammon. Mr. Bennet accepted the challenge, observing that he acted
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2429	very wisely in leaving the girls to their own trifling amusements.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2430	Mrs. Bennet and her daughters apologised most civilly for Lydia’s
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2431	interruption, and promised that it should not occur again, if he would
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2432	resume his book; but Mr. Collins, after assuring them that he bore his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2433	young cousin no ill-will, and should never resent her behaviour as any
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2434	affront, seated himself at another table with Mr. Bennet, and prepared
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2435	for backgammon.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2436
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2437
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2438
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2439	Chapter 15
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2440
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2441
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2442	Mr. Collins was not a sensible man, and the deficiency of nature had
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2443	been but little assisted by education or society; the greatest part
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2444	of his life having been spent under the guidance of an illiterate and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2445	miserly father; and though he belonged to one of the universities, he
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2446	had merely kept the necessary terms, without forming at it any useful
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2447	acquaintance. The subjection in which his father had brought him up had
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2448	given him originally great humility of manner; but it was now a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2449	good deal counteracted by the self-conceit of a weak head, living in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2450	retirement, and the consequential feelings of early and unexpected
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2451	prosperity. A fortunate chance had recommended him to Lady Catherine de
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2452	Bourgh when the living of Hunsford was vacant; and the respect which
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2453	he felt for her high rank, and his veneration for her as his patroness,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2454	mingling with a very good opinion of himself, of his authority as a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2455	clergyman, and his right as a rector, made him altogether a mixture of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2456	pride and obsequiousness, self-importance and humility.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2457
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2458	Having now a good house and a very sufficient income, he intended to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2459	marry; and in seeking a reconciliation with the Longbourn family he had
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2460	a wife in view, as he meant to choose one of the daughters, if he found
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2461	them as handsome and amiable as they were represented by common report.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2462	This was his plan of amends--of atonement--for inheriting their father’s
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2463	estate; and he thought it an excellent one, full of eligibility and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2464	suitableness, and excessively generous and disinterested on his own
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2465	part.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2466
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2467	His plan did not vary on seeing them. Miss Bennet’s lovely face
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2468	confirmed his views, and established all his strictest notions of what
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2469	was due to seniority; and for the first evening _she_ was his settled
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2470	choice. The next morning, however, made an alteration; for in a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2471	quarter of an hour’s tete-a-tete with Mrs. Bennet before breakfast, a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2472	conversation beginning with his parsonage-house, and leading naturally
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2473	to the avowal of his hopes, that a mistress might be found for it at
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2474	Longbourn, produced from her, amid very complaisant smiles and general
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2475	encouragement, a caution against the very Jane he had fixed on. “As to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2476	her _younger_ daughters, she could not take upon her to say--she could
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2477	not positively answer--but she did not _know_ of any prepossession; her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2478	_eldest_ daughter, she must just mention--she felt it incumbent on her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2479	to hint, was likely to be very soon engaged.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2480
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2481	Mr. Collins had only to change from Jane to Elizabeth--and it was soon
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2482	done--done while Mrs. Bennet was stirring the fire. Elizabeth, equally
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2483	next to Jane in birth and beauty, succeeded her of course.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2484
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2485	Mrs. Bennet treasured up the hint, and trusted that she might soon have
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2486	two daughters married; and the man whom she could not bear to speak of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2487	the day before was now high in her good graces.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2488
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2489	Lydia’s intention of walking to Meryton was not forgotten; every sister
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2490	except Mary agreed to go with her; and Mr. Collins was to attend them,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2491	at the request of Mr. Bennet, who was most anxious to get rid of him,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2492	and have his library to himself; for thither Mr. Collins had followed
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2493	him after breakfast; and there he would continue, nominally engaged with
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2494	one of the largest folios in the collection, but really talking to Mr.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2495	Bennet, with little cessation, of his house and garden at Hunsford. Such
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2496	doings discomposed Mr. Bennet exceedingly. In his library he had been
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2497	always sure of leisure and tranquillity; and though prepared, as he told
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2498	Elizabeth, to meet with folly and conceit in every other room of the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2499	house, he was used to be free from them there; his civility, therefore,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2500	was most prompt in inviting Mr. Collins to join his daughters in their
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2501	walk; and Mr. Collins, being in fact much better fitted for a walker
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2502	than a reader, was extremely pleased to close his large book, and go.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2503
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2504	In pompous nothings on his side, and civil assents on that of his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2505	cousins, their time passed till they entered Meryton. The attention of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2506	the younger ones was then no longer to be gained by him. Their eyes were
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2507	immediately wandering up in the street in quest of the officers, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2508	nothing less than a very smart bonnet indeed, or a really new muslin in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2509	a shop window, could recall them.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2510
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2511	But the attention of every lady was soon caught by a young man, whom
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2512	they had never seen before, of most gentlemanlike appearance, walking
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2513	with another officer on the other side of the way. The officer was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2514	the very Mr. Denny concerning whose return from London Lydia came
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2515	to inquire, and he bowed as they passed. All were struck with the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2516	stranger’s air, all wondered who he could be; and Kitty and Lydia,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2517	determined if possible to find out, led the way across the street, under
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2518	pretense of wanting something in an opposite shop, and fortunately
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2519	had just gained the pavement when the two gentlemen, turning back, had
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2520	reached the same spot. Mr. Denny addressed them directly, and entreated
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2521	permission to introduce his friend, Mr. Wickham, who had returned with
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2522	him the day before from town, and he was happy to say had accepted a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2523	commission in their corps. This was exactly as it should be; for the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2524	young man wanted only regimentals to make him completely charming.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2525	His appearance was greatly in his favour; he had all the best part of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2526	beauty, a fine countenance, a good figure, and very pleasing address.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2527	The introduction was followed up on his side by a happy readiness
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2528	of conversation--a readiness at the same time perfectly correct and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2529	unassuming; and the whole party were still standing and talking together
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2530	very agreeably, when the sound of horses drew their notice, and Darcy
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2531	and Bingley were seen riding down the street. On distinguishing the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2532	ladies of the group, the two gentlemen came directly towards them, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2533	began the usual civilities. Bingley was the principal spokesman, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2534	Miss Bennet the principal object. He was then, he said, on his way to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2535	Longbourn on purpose to inquire after her. Mr. Darcy corroborated
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2536	it with a bow, and was beginning to determine not to fix his eyes
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2537	on Elizabeth, when they were suddenly arrested by the sight of the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2538	stranger, and Elizabeth happening to see the countenance of both as they
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2539	looked at each other, was all astonishment at the effect of the meeting.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2540	Both changed colour, one looked white, the other red. Mr. Wickham,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2541	after a few moments, touched his hat--a salutation which Mr. Darcy just
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2542	deigned to return. What could be the meaning of it? It was impossible to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2543	imagine; it was impossible not to long to know.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2544
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2545	In another minute, Mr. Bingley, but without seeming to have noticed what
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2546	passed, took leave and rode on with his friend.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2547
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2548	Mr. Denny and Mr. Wickham walked with the young ladies to the door of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2549	Mr. Phillip’s house, and then made their bows, in spite of Miss Lydia’s
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2550	pressing entreaties that they should come in, and even in spite of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2551	Mrs. Phillips’s throwing up the parlour window and loudly seconding the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2552	invitation.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2553
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2554	Mrs. Phillips was always glad to see her nieces; and the two eldest,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2555	from their recent absence, were particularly welcome, and she was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2556	eagerly expressing her surprise at their sudden return home, which, as
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2557	their own carriage had not fetched them, she should have known nothing
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2558	about, if she had not happened to see Mr. Jones’s shop-boy in the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2559	street, who had told her that they were not to send any more draughts to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2560	Netherfield because the Miss Bennets were come away, when her civility
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2561	was claimed towards Mr. Collins by Jane’s introduction of him. She
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2562	received him with her very best politeness, which he returned with
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2563	as much more, apologising for his intrusion, without any previous
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2564	acquaintance with her, which he could not help flattering himself,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2565	however, might be justified by his relationship to the young ladies who
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2566	introduced him to her notice. Mrs. Phillips was quite awed by such an
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2567	excess of good breeding; but her contemplation of one stranger was soon
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2568	put to an end by exclamations and inquiries about the other; of whom,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2569	however, she could only tell her nieces what they already knew, that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2570	Mr. Denny had brought him from London, and that he was to have a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2571	lieutenant’s commission in the ----shire. She had been watching him the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2572	last hour, she said, as he walked up and down the street, and had Mr.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2573	Wickham appeared, Kitty and Lydia would certainly have continued the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2574	occupation, but unluckily no one passed windows now except a few of the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2575	officers, who, in comparison with the stranger, were become “stupid,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2576	disagreeable fellows.” Some of them were to dine with the Phillipses
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2577	the next day, and their aunt promised to make her husband call on Mr.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2578	Wickham, and give him an invitation also, if the family from Longbourn
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2579	would come in the evening. This was agreed to, and Mrs. Phillips
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2580	protested that they would have a nice comfortable noisy game of lottery
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2581	tickets, and a little bit of hot supper afterwards. The prospect of such
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2582	delights was very cheering, and they parted in mutual good spirits. Mr.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2583	Collins repeated his apologies in quitting the room, and was assured
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2584	with unwearying civility that they were perfectly needless.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2585
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2586	As they walked home, Elizabeth related to Jane what she had seen pass
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2587	between the two gentlemen; but though Jane would have defended either
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2588	or both, had they appeared to be in the wrong, she could no more explain
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2589	such behaviour than her sister.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2590
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2591	Mr. Collins on his return highly gratified Mrs. Bennet by admiring
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2592	Mrs. Phillips’s manners and politeness. He protested that, except Lady
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2593	Catherine and her daughter, he had never seen a more elegant woman;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2594	for she had not only received him with the utmost civility, but even
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2595	pointedly included him in her invitation for the next evening, although
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2596	utterly unknown to her before. Something, he supposed, might be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2597	attributed to his connection with them, but yet he had never met with so
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2598	much attention in the whole course of his life.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2599
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2600
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2601
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2602	Chapter 16
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2603
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2604
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2605	As no objection was made to the young people’s engagement with their
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2606	aunt, and all Mr. Collins’s scruples of leaving Mr. and Mrs. Bennet for
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2607	a single evening during his visit were most steadily resisted, the coach
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2608	conveyed him and his five cousins at a suitable hour to Meryton; and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2609	the girls had the pleasure of hearing, as they entered the drawing-room,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2610	that Mr. Wickham had accepted their uncle’s invitation, and was then in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2611	the house.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2612
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2613	When this information was given, and they had all taken their seats, Mr.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2614	Collins was at leisure to look around him and admire, and he was so much
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2615	struck with the size and furniture of the apartment, that he declared he
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2616	might almost have supposed himself in the small summer breakfast
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2617	parlour at Rosings; a comparison that did not at first convey much
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2618	gratification; but when Mrs. Phillips understood from him what
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2619	Rosings was, and who was its proprietor--when she had listened to the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2620	description of only one of Lady Catherine’s drawing-rooms, and found
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2621	that the chimney-piece alone had cost eight hundred pounds, she felt all
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2622	the force of the compliment, and would hardly have resented a comparison
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2623	with the housekeeper’s room.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2624
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2625	In describing to her all the grandeur of Lady Catherine and her mansion,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2626	with occasional digressions in praise of his own humble abode, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2627	the improvements it was receiving, he was happily employed until the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2628	gentlemen joined them; and he found in Mrs. Phillips a very attentive
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2629	listener, whose opinion of his consequence increased with what she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2630	heard, and who was resolving to retail it all among her neighbours as
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2631	soon as she could. To the girls, who could not listen to their cousin,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2632	and who had nothing to do but to wish for an instrument, and examine
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2633	their own indifferent imitations of china on the mantelpiece, the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2634	interval of waiting appeared very long. It was over at last, however.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2635	The gentlemen did approach, and when Mr. Wickham walked into the room,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2636	Elizabeth felt that she had neither been seeing him before, nor thinking
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2637	of him since, with the smallest degree of unreasonable admiration.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2638	The officers of the ----shire were in general a very creditable,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2639	gentlemanlike set, and the best of them were of the present party; but
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2640	Mr. Wickham was as far beyond them all in person, countenance, air, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2641	walk, as _they_ were superior to the broad-faced, stuffy uncle Phillips,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2642	breathing port wine, who followed them into the room.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2643
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2644	Mr. Wickham was the happy man towards whom almost every female eye was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2645	turned, and Elizabeth was the happy woman by whom he finally seated
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2646	himself; and the agreeable manner in which he immediately fell into
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2647	conversation, though it was only on its being a wet night, made her feel
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2648	that the commonest, dullest, most threadbare topic might be rendered
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2649	interesting by the skill of the speaker.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2650
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2651	With such rivals for the notice of the fair as Mr. Wickham and the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2652	officers, Mr. Collins seemed to sink into insignificance; to the young
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2653	ladies he certainly was nothing; but he had still at intervals a kind
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2654	listener in Mrs. Phillips, and was by her watchfulness, most abundantly
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2655	supplied with coffee and muffin. When the card-tables were placed, he
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2656	had the opportunity of obliging her in turn, by sitting down to whist.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2657
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2658	“I know little of the game at present,” said he, “but I shall be glad
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2659	to improve myself, for in my situation in life--” Mrs. Phillips was very
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2660	glad for his compliance, but could not wait for his reason.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2661
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2662	Mr. Wickham did not play at whist, and with ready delight was he
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2663	received at the other table between Elizabeth and Lydia. At first there
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2664	seemed danger of Lydia’s engrossing him entirely, for she was a most
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2665	determined talker; but being likewise extremely fond of lottery tickets,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2666	she soon grew too much interested in the game, too eager in making bets
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2667	and exclaiming after prizes to have attention for anyone in particular.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2668	Allowing for the common demands of the game, Mr. Wickham was therefore
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2669	at leisure to talk to Elizabeth, and she was very willing to hear
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2670	him, though what she chiefly wished to hear she could not hope to be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2671	told--the history of his acquaintance with Mr. Darcy. She dared not
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2672	even mention that gentleman. Her curiosity, however, was unexpectedly
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2673	relieved. Mr. Wickham began the subject himself. He inquired how far
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2674	Netherfield was from Meryton; and, after receiving her answer, asked in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2675	a hesitating manner how long Mr. Darcy had been staying there.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2676
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2677	“About a month,” said Elizabeth; and then, unwilling to let the subject
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2678	drop, added, “He is a man of very large property in Derbyshire, I
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2679	understand.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2680
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2681	“Yes,” replied Mr. Wickham; “his estate there is a noble one. A clear
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2682	ten thousand per annum. You could not have met with a person more
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2683	capable of giving you certain information on that head than myself, for
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2684	I have been connected with his family in a particular manner from my
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2685	infancy.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2686
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2687	Elizabeth could not but look surprised.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2688
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2689	“You may well be surprised, Miss Bennet, at such an assertion, after
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2690	seeing, as you probably might, the very cold manner of our meeting
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2691	yesterday. Are you much acquainted with Mr. Darcy?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2692
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2693	“As much as I ever wish to be,” cried Elizabeth very warmly. “I have
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2694	spent four days in the same house with him, and I think him very
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2695	disagreeable.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2696
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2697	“I have no right to give _my_ opinion,” said Wickham, “as to his being
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2698	agreeable or otherwise. I am not qualified to form one. I have known him
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2699	too long and too well to be a fair judge. It is impossible for _me_
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2700	to be impartial. But I believe your opinion of him would in general
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2701	astonish--and perhaps you would not express it quite so strongly
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2702	anywhere else. Here you are in your own family.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2703
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2704	“Upon my word, I say no more _here_ than I might say in any house in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2705	the neighbourhood, except Netherfield. He is not at all liked in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2706	Hertfordshire. Everybody is disgusted with his pride. You will not find
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2707	him more favourably spoken of by anyone.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2708
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2709	“I cannot pretend to be sorry,” said Wickham, after a short
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2710	interruption, “that he or that any man should not be estimated beyond
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2711	their deserts; but with _him_ I believe it does not often happen. The
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2712	world is blinded by his fortune and consequence, or frightened by his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2713	high and imposing manners, and sees him only as he chooses to be seen.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2714
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2715	“I should take him, even on _my_ slight acquaintance, to be an
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2716	ill-tempered man.” Wickham only shook his head.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2717
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2718	“I wonder,” said he, at the next opportunity of speaking, “whether he is
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2719	likely to be in this country much longer.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2720
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2721	“I do not at all know; but I _heard_ nothing of his going away when I
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2722	was at Netherfield. I hope your plans in favour of the ----shire will
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2723	not be affected by his being in the neighbourhood.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2724
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2725	“Oh! no--it is not for _me_ to be driven away by Mr. Darcy. If _he_
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2726	wishes to avoid seeing _me_, he must go. We are not on friendly terms,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2727	and it always gives me pain to meet him, but I have no reason for
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2728	avoiding _him_ but what I might proclaim before all the world, a sense
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2729	of very great ill-usage, and most painful regrets at his being what he
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2730	is. His father, Miss Bennet, the late Mr. Darcy, was one of the best men
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2731	that ever breathed, and the truest friend I ever had; and I can never
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2732	be in company with this Mr. Darcy without being grieved to the soul by
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2733	a thousand tender recollections. His behaviour to myself has been
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2734	scandalous; but I verily believe I could forgive him anything and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2735	everything, rather than his disappointing the hopes and disgracing the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2736	memory of his father.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2737
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2738	Elizabeth found the interest of the subject increase, and listened with
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2739	all her heart; but the delicacy of it prevented further inquiry.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2740
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2741	Mr. Wickham began to speak on more general topics, Meryton, the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2742	neighbourhood, the society, appearing highly pleased with all that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2743	he had yet seen, and speaking of the latter with gentle but very
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2744	intelligible gallantry.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2745
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2746	“It was the prospect of constant society, and good society,” he added,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2747	“which was my chief inducement to enter the ----shire. I knew it to be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2748	a most respectable, agreeable corps, and my friend Denny tempted me
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2749	further by his account of their present quarters, and the very great
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2750	attentions and excellent acquaintances Meryton had procured them.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2751	Society, I own, is necessary to me. I have been a disappointed man, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2752	my spirits will not bear solitude. I _must_ have employment and society.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2753	A military life is not what I was intended for, but circumstances have
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2754	now made it eligible. The church _ought_ to have been my profession--I
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2755	was brought up for the church, and I should at this time have been in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2756	possession of a most valuable living, had it pleased the gentleman we
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2757	were speaking of just now.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2758
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2759	“Indeed!”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2760
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2761	“Yes--the late Mr. Darcy bequeathed me the next presentation of the best
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2762	living in his gift. He was my godfather, and excessively attached to me.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2763	I cannot do justice to his kindness. He meant to provide for me amply,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2764	and thought he had done it; but when the living fell, it was given
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2765	elsewhere.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2766
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2767	“Good heavens!” cried Elizabeth; “but how could _that_ be? How could his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2768	will be disregarded? Why did you not seek legal redress?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2769
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2770	“There was just such an informality in the terms of the bequest as to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2771	give me no hope from law. A man of honour could not have doubted the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2772	intention, but Mr. Darcy chose to doubt it--or to treat it as a merely
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2773	conditional recommendation, and to assert that I had forfeited all claim
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2774	to it by extravagance, imprudence--in short anything or nothing. Certain
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2775	it is, that the living became vacant two years ago, exactly as I was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2776	of an age to hold it, and that it was given to another man; and no
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2777	less certain is it, that I cannot accuse myself of having really done
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2778	anything to deserve to lose it. I have a warm, unguarded temper, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2779	I may have spoken my opinion _of_ him, and _to_ him, too freely. I can
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2780	recall nothing worse. But the fact is, that we are very different sort
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2781	of men, and that he hates me.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2782
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2783	“This is quite shocking! He deserves to be publicly disgraced.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2784
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2785	“Some time or other he _will_ be--but it shall not be by _me_. Till I
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2786	can forget his father, I can never defy or expose _him_.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2787
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2788	Elizabeth honoured him for such feelings, and thought him handsomer than
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2789	ever as he expressed them.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2790
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2791	“But what,” said she, after a pause, “can have been his motive? What can
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2792	have induced him to behave so cruelly?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2793
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2794	“A thorough, determined dislike of me--a dislike which I cannot but
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2795	attribute in some measure to jealousy. Had the late Mr. Darcy liked me
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2796	less, his son might have borne with me better; but his father’s uncommon
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2797	attachment to me irritated him, I believe, very early in life. He had
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2798	not a temper to bear the sort of competition in which we stood--the sort
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2799	of preference which was often given me.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2800
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2801	“I had not thought Mr. Darcy so bad as this--though I have never liked
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2802	him. I had not thought so very ill of him. I had supposed him to be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2803	despising his fellow-creatures in general, but did not suspect him of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2804	descending to such malicious revenge, such injustice, such inhumanity as
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2805	this.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2806
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2807	After a few minutes’ reflection, however, she continued, “I _do_
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2808	remember his boasting one day, at Netherfield, of the implacability of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2809	his resentments, of his having an unforgiving temper. His disposition
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2810	must be dreadful.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2811
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2812	“I will not trust myself on the subject,” replied Wickham; “I can hardly
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2813	be just to him.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2814
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2815	Elizabeth was again deep in thought, and after a time exclaimed, “To
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2816	treat in such a manner the godson, the friend, the favourite of his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2817	father!” She could have added, “A young man, too, like _you_, whose very
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2818	countenance may vouch for your being amiable”--but she contented herself
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2819	with, “and one, too, who had probably been his companion from childhood,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2820	connected together, as I think you said, in the closest manner!”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2821
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2822	“We were born in the same parish, within the same park; the greatest
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2823	part of our youth was passed together; inmates of the same house,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2824	sharing the same amusements, objects of the same parental care. _My_
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2825	father began life in the profession which your uncle, Mr. Phillips,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2826	appears to do so much credit to--but he gave up everything to be of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2827	use to the late Mr. Darcy and devoted all his time to the care of the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2828	Pemberley property. He was most highly esteemed by Mr. Darcy, a most
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2829	intimate, confidential friend. Mr. Darcy often acknowledged himself to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2830	be under the greatest obligations to my father’s active superintendence,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2831	and when, immediately before my father’s death, Mr. Darcy gave him a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2832	voluntary promise of providing for me, I am convinced that he felt it to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2833	be as much a debt of gratitude to _him_, as of his affection to myself.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2834
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2835	“How strange!” cried Elizabeth. “How abominable! I wonder that the very
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2836	pride of this Mr. Darcy has not made him just to you! If from no better
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2837	motive, that he should not have been too proud to be dishonest--for
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2838	dishonesty I must call it.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2839
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2840	“It _is_ wonderful,” replied Wickham, “for almost all his actions may
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2841	be traced to pride; and pride had often been his best friend. It has
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2842	connected him nearer with virtue than with any other feeling. But we are
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2843	none of us consistent, and in his behaviour to me there were stronger
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2844	impulses even than pride.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2845
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2846	“Can such abominable pride as his have ever done him good?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2847
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2848	“Yes. It has often led him to be liberal and generous, to give his money
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2849	freely, to display hospitality, to assist his tenants, and relieve the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2850	poor. Family pride, and _filial_ pride--for he is very proud of what
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2851	his father was--have done this. Not to appear to disgrace his family,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2852	to degenerate from the popular qualities, or lose the influence of the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2853	Pemberley House, is a powerful motive. He has also _brotherly_ pride,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2854	which, with _some_ brotherly affection, makes him a very kind and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2855	careful guardian of his sister, and you will hear him generally cried up
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2856	as the most attentive and best of brothers.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2857
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2858	“What sort of girl is Miss Darcy?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2859
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2860	He shook his head. “I wish I could call her amiable. It gives me pain to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2861	speak ill of a Darcy. But she is too much like her brother--very, very
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2862	proud. As a child, she was affectionate and pleasing, and extremely fond
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2863	of me; and I have devoted hours and hours to her amusement. But she is
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2864	nothing to me now. She is a handsome girl, about fifteen or sixteen,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2865	and, I understand, highly accomplished. Since her father’s death, her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2866	home has been London, where a lady lives with her, and superintends her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2867	education.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2868
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2869	After many pauses and many trials of other subjects, Elizabeth could not
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2870	help reverting once more to the first, and saying:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2871
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2872	“I am astonished at his intimacy with Mr. Bingley! How can Mr. Bingley,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2873	who seems good humour itself, and is, I really believe, truly amiable,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2874	be in friendship with such a man? How can they suit each other? Do you
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2875	know Mr. Bingley?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2876
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2877	“Not at all.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2878
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2879	“He is a sweet-tempered, amiable, charming man. He cannot know what Mr.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2880	Darcy is.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2881
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2882	“Probably not; but Mr. Darcy can please where he chooses. He does not
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2883	want abilities. He can be a conversible companion if he thinks it worth
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2884	his while. Among those who are at all his equals in consequence, he is
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2885	a very different man from what he is to the less prosperous. His
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2886	pride never deserts him; but with the rich he is liberal-minded, just,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2887	sincere, rational, honourable, and perhaps agreeable--allowing something
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2888	for fortune and figure.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2889
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2890	The whist party soon afterwards breaking up, the players gathered round
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2891	the other table and Mr. Collins took his station between his cousin
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2892	Elizabeth and Mrs. Phillips. The usual inquiries as to his success were
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2893	made by the latter. It had not been very great; he had lost every
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2894	point; but when Mrs. Phillips began to express her concern thereupon,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2895	he assured her with much earnest gravity that it was not of the least
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2896	importance, that he considered the money as a mere trifle, and begged
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2897	that she would not make herself uneasy.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2898
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2899	“I know very well, madam,” said he, “that when persons sit down to a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2900	card-table, they must take their chances of these things, and happily I
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2901	am not in such circumstances as to make five shillings any object. There
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2902	are undoubtedly many who could not say the same, but thanks to Lady
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2903	Catherine de Bourgh, I am removed far beyond the necessity of regarding
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2904	little matters.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2905
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2906	Mr. Wickham’s attention was caught; and after observing Mr. Collins for
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2907	a few moments, he asked Elizabeth in a low voice whether her relation
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2908	was very intimately acquainted with the family of de Bourgh.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2909
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2910	“Lady Catherine de Bourgh,” she replied, “has very lately given him
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2911	a living. I hardly know how Mr. Collins was first introduced to her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2912	notice, but he certainly has not known her long.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2913
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2914	“You know of course that Lady Catherine de Bourgh and Lady Anne Darcy
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2915	were sisters; consequently that she is aunt to the present Mr. Darcy.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2916
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2917	“No, indeed, I did not. I knew nothing at all of Lady Catherine’s
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2918	connections. I never heard of her existence till the day before
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2919	yesterday.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2920
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2921	“Her daughter, Miss de Bourgh, will have a very large fortune, and it is
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2922	believed that she and her cousin will unite the two estates.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2923
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2924	This information made Elizabeth smile, as she thought of poor Miss
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2925	Bingley. Vain indeed must be all her attentions, vain and useless her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2926	affection for his sister and her praise of himself, if he were already
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2927	self-destined for another.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2928
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2929	“Mr. Collins,” said she, “speaks highly both of Lady Catherine and her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2930	daughter; but from some particulars that he has related of her ladyship,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2931	I suspect his gratitude misleads him, and that in spite of her being his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2932	patroness, she is an arrogant, conceited woman.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2933
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2934	“I believe her to be both in a great degree,” replied Wickham; “I have
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2935	not seen her for many years, but I very well remember that I never liked
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2936	her, and that her manners were dictatorial and insolent. She has the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2937	reputation of being remarkably sensible and clever; but I rather believe
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2938	she derives part of her abilities from her rank and fortune, part from
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2939	her authoritative manner, and the rest from the pride for her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2940	nephew, who chooses that everyone connected with him should have an
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2941	understanding of the first class.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2942
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2943	Elizabeth allowed that he had given a very rational account of it, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2944	they continued talking together, with mutual satisfaction till supper
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2945	put an end to cards, and gave the rest of the ladies their share of Mr.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2946	Wickham’s attentions. There could be no conversation in the noise
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2947	of Mrs. Phillips’s supper party, but his manners recommended him to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2948	everybody. Whatever he said, was said well; and whatever he did, done
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2949	gracefully. Elizabeth went away with her head full of him. She could
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2950	think of nothing but of Mr. Wickham, and of what he had told her, all
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2951	the way home; but there was not time for her even to mention his name
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2952	as they went, for neither Lydia nor Mr. Collins were once silent. Lydia
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2953	talked incessantly of lottery tickets, of the fish she had lost and the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2954	fish she had won; and Mr. Collins in describing the civility of Mr. and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2955	Mrs. Phillips, protesting that he did not in the least regard his losses
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2956	at whist, enumerating all the dishes at supper, and repeatedly fearing
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2957	that he crowded his cousins, had more to say than he could well manage
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2958	before the carriage stopped at Longbourn House.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2959
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2960
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2961
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2962	Chapter 17
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2963
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2964
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2965	Elizabeth related to Jane the next day what had passed between Mr.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2966	Wickham and herself. Jane listened with astonishment and concern; she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2967	knew not how to believe that Mr. Darcy could be so unworthy of Mr.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2968	Bingley’s regard; and yet, it was not in her nature to question the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2969	veracity of a young man of such amiable appearance as Wickham. The
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2970	possibility of his having endured such unkindness, was enough to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2971	interest all her tender feelings; and nothing remained therefore to be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2972	done, but to think well of them both, to defend the conduct of each,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2973	and throw into the account of accident or mistake whatever could not be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2974	otherwise explained.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2975
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2976	“They have both,” said she, “been deceived, I dare say, in some way
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2977	or other, of which we can form no idea. Interested people have perhaps
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2978	misrepresented each to the other. It is, in short, impossible for us to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2979	conjecture the causes or circumstances which may have alienated them,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2980	without actual blame on either side.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2981
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2982	“Very true, indeed; and now, my dear Jane, what have you got to say on
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2983	behalf of the interested people who have probably been concerned in the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2984	business? Do clear _them_ too, or we shall be obliged to think ill of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2985	somebody.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2986
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2987	“Laugh as much as you choose, but you will not laugh me out of my
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2988	opinion. My dearest Lizzy, do but consider in what a disgraceful light
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2989	it places Mr. Darcy, to be treating his father’s favourite in such
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2990	a manner, one whom his father had promised to provide for. It is
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2991	impossible. No man of common humanity, no man who had any value for his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2992	character, could be capable of it. Can his most intimate friends be so
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2993	excessively deceived in him? Oh! no.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2994
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2995	“I can much more easily believe Mr. Bingley’s being imposed on, than
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2996	that Mr. Wickham should invent such a history of himself as he gave me
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2997	last night; names, facts, everything mentioned without ceremony. If it
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2998	be not so, let Mr. Darcy contradict it. Besides, there was truth in his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	2999	looks.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3000
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3001	“It is difficult indeed--it is distressing. One does not know what to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3002	think.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3003
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3004	“I beg your pardon; one knows exactly what to think.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3005
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3006	But Jane could think with certainty on only one point--that Mr. Bingley,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3007	if he _had_ been imposed on, would have much to suffer when the affair
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3008	became public.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3009
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3010	The two young ladies were summoned from the shrubbery, where this
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3011	conversation passed, by the arrival of the very persons of whom they had
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3012	been speaking; Mr. Bingley and his sisters came to give their personal
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3013	invitation for the long-expected ball at Netherfield, which was fixed
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3014	for the following Tuesday. The two ladies were delighted to see their
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3015	dear friend again, called it an age since they had met, and repeatedly
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3016	asked what she had been doing with herself since their separation. To
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3017	the rest of the family they paid little attention; avoiding Mrs. Bennet
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3018	as much as possible, saying not much to Elizabeth, and nothing at all to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3019	the others. They were soon gone again, rising from their seats with an
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3020	activity which took their brother by surprise, and hurrying off as if
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3021	eager to escape from Mrs. Bennet’s civilities.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3022
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3023	The prospect of the Netherfield ball was extremely agreeable to every
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3024	female of the family. Mrs. Bennet chose to consider it as given in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3025	compliment to her eldest daughter, and was particularly flattered
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3026	by receiving the invitation from Mr. Bingley himself, instead of a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3027	ceremonious card. Jane pictured to herself a happy evening in the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3028	society of her two friends, and the attentions of their brother; and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3029	Elizabeth thought with pleasure of dancing a great deal with Mr.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3030	Wickham, and of seeing a confirmation of everything in Mr. Darcy’s look
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3031	and behaviour. The happiness anticipated by Catherine and Lydia depended
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3032	less on any single event, or any particular person, for though they
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3033	each, like Elizabeth, meant to dance half the evening with Mr. Wickham,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3034	he was by no means the only partner who could satisfy them, and a ball
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3035	was, at any rate, a ball. And even Mary could assure her family that she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3036	had no disinclination for it.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3037
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3038	“While I can have my mornings to myself,” said she, “it is enough--I
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3039	think it is no sacrifice to join occasionally in evening engagements.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3040	Society has claims on us all; and I profess myself one of those
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3041	who consider intervals of recreation and amusement as desirable for
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3042	everybody.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3043
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3044	Elizabeth’s spirits were so high on this occasion, that though she did
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3045	not often speak unnecessarily to Mr. Collins, she could not help asking
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3046	him whether he intended to accept Mr. Bingley’s invitation, and if
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3047	he did, whether he would think it proper to join in the evening’s
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3048	amusement; and she was rather surprised to find that he entertained no
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3049	scruple whatever on that head, and was very far from dreading a rebuke
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3050	either from the Archbishop, or Lady Catherine de Bourgh, by venturing to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3051	dance.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3052
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3053	“I am by no means of the opinion, I assure you,” said he, “that a ball
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3054	of this kind, given by a young man of character, to respectable people,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3055	can have any evil tendency; and I am so far from objecting to dancing
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3056	myself, that I shall hope to be honoured with the hands of all my fair
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3057	cousins in the course of the evening; and I take this opportunity of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3058	soliciting yours, Miss Elizabeth, for the two first dances especially,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3059	a preference which I trust my cousin Jane will attribute to the right
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3060	cause, and not to any disrespect for her.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3061
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3062	Elizabeth felt herself completely taken in. She had fully proposed being
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3063	engaged by Mr. Wickham for those very dances; and to have Mr. Collins
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3064	instead! her liveliness had never been worse timed. There was no help
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3065	for it, however. Mr. Wickham’s happiness and her own were perforce
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3066	delayed a little longer, and Mr. Collins’s proposal accepted with as
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3067	good a grace as she could. She was not the better pleased with his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3068	gallantry from the idea it suggested of something more. It now first
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3069	struck her, that _she_ was selected from among her sisters as worthy
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3070	of being mistress of Hunsford Parsonage, and of assisting to form a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3071	quadrille table at Rosings, in the absence of more eligible visitors.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3072	The idea soon reached to conviction, as she observed his increasing
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3073	civilities toward herself, and heard his frequent attempt at a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3074	compliment on her wit and vivacity; and though more astonished than
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3075	gratified herself by this effect of her charms, it was not long before
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3076	her mother gave her to understand that the probability of their marriage
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3077	was extremely agreeable to _her_. Elizabeth, however, did not choose
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3078	to take the hint, being well aware that a serious dispute must be the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3079	consequence of any reply. Mr. Collins might never make the offer, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3080	till he did, it was useless to quarrel about him.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3081
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3082	If there had not been a Netherfield ball to prepare for and talk of, the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3083	younger Miss Bennets would have been in a very pitiable state at this
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3084	time, for from the day of the invitation, to the day of the ball, there
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3085	was such a succession of rain as prevented their walking to Meryton
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3086	once. No aunt, no officers, no news could be sought after--the very
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3087	shoe-roses for Netherfield were got by proxy. Even Elizabeth might have
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3088	found some trial of her patience in weather which totally suspended the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3089	improvement of her acquaintance with Mr. Wickham; and nothing less than
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3090	a dance on Tuesday, could have made such a Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3091	Monday endurable to Kitty and Lydia.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3092
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3093
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3094
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3095	Chapter 18
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3096
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3097
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3098	Till Elizabeth entered the drawing-room at Netherfield, and looked in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3099	vain for Mr. Wickham among the cluster of red coats there assembled, a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3100	doubt of his being present had never occurred to her. The certainty
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3101	of meeting him had not been checked by any of those recollections that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3102	might not unreasonably have alarmed her. She had dressed with more than
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3103	usual care, and prepared in the highest spirits for the conquest of all
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3104	that remained unsubdued of his heart, trusting that it was not more than
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3105	might be won in the course of the evening. But in an instant arose
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3106	the dreadful suspicion of his being purposely omitted for Mr. Darcy’s
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3107	pleasure in the Bingleys’ invitation to the officers; and though
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3108	this was not exactly the case, the absolute fact of his absence was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3109	pronounced by his friend Denny, to whom Lydia eagerly applied, and who
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3110	told them that Wickham had been obliged to go to town on business the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3111	day before, and was not yet returned; adding, with a significant smile,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3112	“I do not imagine his business would have called him away just now, if
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3113	he had not wanted to avoid a certain gentleman here.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3114
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3115	This part of his intelligence, though unheard by Lydia, was caught by
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3116	Elizabeth, and, as it assured her that Darcy was not less answerable for
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3117	Wickham’s absence than if her first surmise had been just, every
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3118	feeling of displeasure against the former was so sharpened by immediate
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3119	disappointment, that she could hardly reply with tolerable civility to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3120	the polite inquiries which he directly afterwards approached to make.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3121	Attendance, forbearance, patience with Darcy, was injury to Wickham. She
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3122	was resolved against any sort of conversation with him, and turned away
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3123	with a degree of ill-humour which she could not wholly surmount even in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3124	speaking to Mr. Bingley, whose blind partiality provoked her.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3125
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3126	But Elizabeth was not formed for ill-humour; and though every prospect
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3127	of her own was destroyed for the evening, it could not dwell long on her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3128	spirits; and having told all her griefs to Charlotte Lucas, whom she had
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3129	not seen for a week, she was soon able to make a voluntary transition
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3130	to the oddities of her cousin, and to point him out to her particular
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3131	notice. The first two dances, however, brought a return of distress;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3132	they were dances of mortification. Mr. Collins, awkward and solemn,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3133	apologising instead of attending, and often moving wrong without being
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3134	aware of it, gave her all the shame and misery which a disagreeable
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3135	partner for a couple of dances can give. The moment of her release from
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3136	him was ecstasy.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3137
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3138	She danced next with an officer, and had the refreshment of talking of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3139	Wickham, and of hearing that he was universally liked. When those dances
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3140	were over, she returned to Charlotte Lucas, and was in conversation with
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3141	her, when she found herself suddenly addressed by Mr. Darcy who took
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3142	her so much by surprise in his application for her hand, that,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3143	without knowing what she did, she accepted him. He walked away again
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3144	immediately, and she was left to fret over her own want of presence of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3145	mind; Charlotte tried to console her:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3146
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3147	“I dare say you will find him very agreeable.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3148
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3149	“Heaven forbid! _That_ would be the greatest misfortune of all! To find
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3150	a man agreeable whom one is determined to hate! Do not wish me such an
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3151	evil.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3152
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3153	When the dancing recommenced, however, and Darcy approached to claim her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3154	hand, Charlotte could not help cautioning her in a whisper, not to be a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3155	simpleton, and allow her fancy for Wickham to make her appear unpleasant
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3156	in the eyes of a man ten times his consequence. Elizabeth made no
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3157	answer, and took her place in the set, amazed at the dignity to which
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3158	she was arrived in being allowed to stand opposite to Mr. Darcy, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3159	reading in her neighbours’ looks, their equal amazement in beholding
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3160	it. They stood for some time without speaking a word; and she began to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3161	imagine that their silence was to last through the two dances, and at
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3162	first was resolved not to break it; till suddenly fancying that it would
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3163	be the greater punishment to her partner to oblige him to talk, she made
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3164	some slight observation on the dance. He replied, and was again
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3165	silent. After a pause of some minutes, she addressed him a second time
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3166	with:--“It is _your_ turn to say something now, Mr. Darcy. I talked
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3167	about the dance, and _you_ ought to make some sort of remark on the size
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3168	of the room, or the number of couples.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3169
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3170	He smiled, and assured her that whatever she wished him to say should be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3171	said.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3172
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3173	“Very well. That reply will do for the present. Perhaps by and by I may
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3174	observe that private balls are much pleasanter than public ones. But
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3175	_now_ we may be silent.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3176
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3177	“Do you talk by rule, then, while you are dancing?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3178
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3179	“Sometimes. One must speak a little, you know. It would look odd to be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3180	entirely silent for half an hour together; and yet for the advantage of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3181	_some_, conversation ought to be so arranged, as that they may have the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3182	trouble of saying as little as possible.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3183
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3184	“Are you consulting your own feelings in the present case, or do you
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3185	imagine that you are gratifying mine?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3186
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3187	“Both,” replied Elizabeth archly; “for I have always seen a great
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3188	similarity in the turn of our minds. We are each of an unsocial,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3189	taciturn disposition, unwilling to speak, unless we expect to say
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3190	something that will amaze the whole room, and be handed down to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3191	posterity with all the eclat of a proverb.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3192
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3193	“This is no very striking resemblance of your own character, I am sure,”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3194	said he. “How near it may be to _mine_, I cannot pretend to say. _You_
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3195	think it a faithful portrait undoubtedly.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3196
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3197	“I must not decide on my own performance.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3198
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3199	He made no answer, and they were again silent till they had gone down
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3200	the dance, when he asked her if she and her sisters did not very often
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3201	walk to Meryton. She answered in the affirmative, and, unable to resist
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3202	the temptation, added, “When you met us there the other day, we had just
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3203	been forming a new acquaintance.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3204
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3205	The effect was immediate. A deeper shade of _hauteur_ overspread his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3206	features, but he said not a word, and Elizabeth, though blaming herself
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3207	for her own weakness, could not go on. At length Darcy spoke, and in a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3208	constrained manner said, “Mr. Wickham is blessed with such happy manners
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3209	as may ensure his _making_ friends--whether he may be equally capable of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3210	_retaining_ them, is less certain.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3211
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3212	“He has been so unlucky as to lose _your_ friendship,” replied Elizabeth
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3213	with emphasis, “and in a manner which he is likely to suffer from all
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3214	his life.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3215
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3216	Darcy made no answer, and seemed desirous of changing the subject. At
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3217	that moment, Sir William Lucas appeared close to them, meaning to pass
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3218	through the set to the other side of the room; but on perceiving Mr.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3219	Darcy, he stopped with a bow of superior courtesy to compliment him on
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3220	his dancing and his partner.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3221
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3222	“I have been most highly gratified indeed, my dear sir. Such very
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3223	superior dancing is not often seen. It is evident that you belong to the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3224	first circles. Allow me to say, however, that your fair partner does not
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3225	disgrace you, and that I must hope to have this pleasure often repeated,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3226	especially when a certain desirable event, my dear Eliza (glancing at
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3227	her sister and Bingley) shall take place. What congratulations will then
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3228	flow in! I appeal to Mr. Darcy:--but let me not interrupt you, sir. You
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3229	will not thank me for detaining you from the bewitching converse of that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3230	young lady, whose bright eyes are also upbraiding me.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3231
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3232	The latter part of this address was scarcely heard by Darcy; but Sir
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3233	William’s allusion to his friend seemed to strike him forcibly, and his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3234	eyes were directed with a very serious expression towards Bingley and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3235	Jane, who were dancing together. Recovering himself, however, shortly,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3236	he turned to his partner, and said, “Sir William’s interruption has made
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3237	me forget what we were talking of.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3238
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3239	“I do not think we were speaking at all. Sir William could not have
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3240	interrupted two people in the room who had less to say for themselves.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3241	We have tried two or three subjects already without success, and what we
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3242	are to talk of next I cannot imagine.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3243
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3244	“What think you of books?” said he, smiling.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3245
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3246	“Books--oh! no. I am sure we never read the same, or not with the same
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3247	feelings.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3248
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3249	“I am sorry you think so; but if that be the case, there can at least be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3250	no want of subject. We may compare our different opinions.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3251
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3252	“No--I cannot talk of books in a ball-room; my head is always full of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3253	something else.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3254
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3255	“The _present_ always occupies you in such scenes--does it?” said he,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3256	with a look of doubt.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3257
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3258	“Yes, always,” she replied, without knowing what she said, for her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3259	thoughts had wandered far from the subject, as soon afterwards appeared
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3260	by her suddenly exclaiming, “I remember hearing you once say, Mr. Darcy,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3261	that you hardly ever forgave, that your resentment once created was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3262	unappeasable. You are very cautious, I suppose, as to its _being
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3263	created_.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3264
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3265	“I am,” said he, with a firm voice.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3266
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3267	“And never allow yourself to be blinded by prejudice?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3268
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3269	“I hope not.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3270
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3271	“It is particularly incumbent on those who never change their opinion,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3272	to be secure of judging properly at first.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3273
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3274	“May I ask to what these questions tend?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3275
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3276	“Merely to the illustration of _your_ character,” said she, endeavouring
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3277	to shake off her gravity. “I am trying to make it out.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3278
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3279	“And what is your success?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3280
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3281	She shook her head. “I do not get on at all. I hear such different
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3282	accounts of you as puzzle me exceedingly.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3283
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3284	“I can readily believe,” answered he gravely, “that reports may vary
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3285	greatly with respect to me; and I could wish, Miss Bennet, that you were
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3286	not to sketch my character at the present moment, as there is reason to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3287	fear that the performance would reflect no credit on either.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3288
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3289	“But if I do not take your likeness now, I may never have another
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3290	opportunity.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3291
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3292	“I would by no means suspend any pleasure of yours,” he coldly replied.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3293	She said no more, and they went down the other dance and parted in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3294	silence; and on each side dissatisfied, though not to an equal degree,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3295	for in Darcy’s breast there was a tolerably powerful feeling towards
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3296	her, which soon procured her pardon, and directed all his anger against
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3297	another.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3298
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3299	They had not long separated, when Miss Bingley came towards her, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3300	with an expression of civil disdain accosted her:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3301
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3302	“So, Miss Eliza, I hear you are quite delighted with George Wickham!
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3303	Your sister has been talking to me about him, and asking me a thousand
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3304	questions; and I find that the young man quite forgot to tell you, among
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3305	his other communication, that he was the son of old Wickham, the late
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3306	Mr. Darcy’s steward. Let me recommend you, however, as a friend, not to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3307	give implicit confidence to all his assertions; for as to Mr. Darcy’s
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3308	using him ill, it is perfectly false; for, on the contrary, he has
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3309	always been remarkably kind to him, though George Wickham has treated
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3310	Mr. Darcy in a most infamous manner. I do not know the particulars, but
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3311	I know very well that Mr. Darcy is not in the least to blame, that he
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3312	cannot bear to hear George Wickham mentioned, and that though my brother
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3313	thought that he could not well avoid including him in his invitation to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3314	the officers, he was excessively glad to find that he had taken himself
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3315	out of the way. His coming into the country at all is a most insolent
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3316	thing, indeed, and I wonder how he could presume to do it. I pity you,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3317	Miss Eliza, for this discovery of your favourite’s guilt; but really,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3318	considering his descent, one could not expect much better.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3319
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3320	“His guilt and his descent appear by your account to be the same,” said
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3321	Elizabeth angrily; “for I have heard you accuse him of nothing worse
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3322	than of being the son of Mr. Darcy’s steward, and of _that_, I can
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3323	assure you, he informed me himself.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3324
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3325	“I beg your pardon,” replied Miss Bingley, turning away with a sneer.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3326	“Excuse my interference--it was kindly meant.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3327
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3328	“Insolent girl!” said Elizabeth to herself. “You are much mistaken
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3329	if you expect to influence me by such a paltry attack as this. I see
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3330	nothing in it but your own wilful ignorance and the malice of Mr.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3331	Darcy.” She then sought her eldest sister, who had undertaken to make
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3332	inquiries on the same subject of Bingley. Jane met her with a smile of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3333	such sweet complacency, a glow of such happy expression, as sufficiently
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3334	marked how well she was satisfied with the occurrences of the evening.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3335	Elizabeth instantly read her feelings, and at that moment solicitude for
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3336	Wickham, resentment against his enemies, and everything else, gave way
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3337	before the hope of Jane’s being in the fairest way for happiness.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3338
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3339	“I want to know,” said she, with a countenance no less smiling than her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3340	sister’s, “what you have learnt about Mr. Wickham. But perhaps you have
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3341	been too pleasantly engaged to think of any third person; in which case
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3342	you may be sure of my pardon.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3343
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3344	“No,” replied Jane, “I have not forgotten him; but I have nothing
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3345	satisfactory to tell you. Mr. Bingley does not know the whole of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3346	his history, and is quite ignorant of the circumstances which have
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3347	principally offended Mr. Darcy; but he will vouch for the good conduct,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3348	the probity, and honour of his friend, and is perfectly convinced that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3349	Mr. Wickham has deserved much less attention from Mr. Darcy than he has
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3350	received; and I am sorry to say by his account as well as his sister’s,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3351	Mr. Wickham is by no means a respectable young man. I am afraid he has
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3352	been very imprudent, and has deserved to lose Mr. Darcy’s regard.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3353
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3354	“Mr. Bingley does not know Mr. Wickham himself?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3355
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3356	“No; he never saw him till the other morning at Meryton.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3357
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3358	“This account then is what he has received from Mr. Darcy. I am
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3359	satisfied. But what does he say of the living?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3360
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3361	“He does not exactly recollect the circumstances, though he has heard
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3362	them from Mr. Darcy more than once, but he believes that it was left to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3363	him _conditionally_ only.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3364
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3365	“I have not a doubt of Mr. Bingley’s sincerity,” said Elizabeth warmly;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3366	“but you must excuse my not being convinced by assurances only. Mr.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3367	Bingley’s defense of his friend was a very able one, I dare say; but
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3368	since he is unacquainted with several parts of the story, and has learnt
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3369	the rest from that friend himself, I shall venture to still think of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3370	both gentlemen as I did before.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3371
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3372	She then changed the discourse to one more gratifying to each, and on
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3373	which there could be no difference of sentiment. Elizabeth listened with
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3374	delight to the happy, though modest hopes which Jane entertained of Mr.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3375	Bingley’s regard, and said all in her power to heighten her confidence
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3376	in it. On their being joined by Mr. Bingley himself, Elizabeth withdrew
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3377	to Miss Lucas; to whose inquiry after the pleasantness of her last
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3378	partner she had scarcely replied, before Mr. Collins came up to them,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3379	and told her with great exultation that he had just been so fortunate as
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3380	to make a most important discovery.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3381
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3382	“I have found out,” said he, “by a singular accident, that there is now
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3383	in the room a near relation of my patroness. I happened to overhear the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3384	gentleman himself mentioning to the young lady who does the honours of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3385	the house the names of his cousin Miss de Bourgh, and of her mother Lady
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3386	Catherine. How wonderfully these sort of things occur! Who would have
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3387	thought of my meeting with, perhaps, a nephew of Lady Catherine de
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3388	Bourgh in this assembly! I am most thankful that the discovery is made
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3389	in time for me to pay my respects to him, which I am now going to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3390	do, and trust he will excuse my not having done it before. My total
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3391	ignorance of the connection must plead my apology.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3392
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3393	“You are not going to introduce yourself to Mr. Darcy!”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3394
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3395	“Indeed I am. I shall entreat his pardon for not having done it earlier.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3396	I believe him to be Lady Catherine’s _nephew_. It will be in my power to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3397	assure him that her ladyship was quite well yesterday se’nnight.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3398
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3399	Elizabeth tried hard to dissuade him from such a scheme, assuring him
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3400	that Mr. Darcy would consider his addressing him without introduction
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3401	as an impertinent freedom, rather than a compliment to his aunt; that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3402	it was not in the least necessary there should be any notice on either
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3403	side; and that if it were, it must belong to Mr. Darcy, the superior in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3404	consequence, to begin the acquaintance. Mr. Collins listened to her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3405	with the determined air of following his own inclination, and, when she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3406	ceased speaking, replied thus:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3407
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3408	“My dear Miss Elizabeth, I have the highest opinion in the world in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3409	your excellent judgement in all matters within the scope of your
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3410	understanding; but permit me to say, that there must be a wide
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3411	difference between the established forms of ceremony amongst the laity,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3412	and those which regulate the clergy; for, give me leave to observe that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3413	I consider the clerical office as equal in point of dignity with
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3414	the highest rank in the kingdom--provided that a proper humility of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3415	behaviour is at the same time maintained. You must therefore allow me to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3416	follow the dictates of my conscience on this occasion, which leads me to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3417	perform what I look on as a point of duty. Pardon me for neglecting to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3418	profit by your advice, which on every other subject shall be my constant
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3419	guide, though in the case before us I consider myself more fitted by
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3420	education and habitual study to decide on what is right than a young
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3421	lady like yourself.” And with a low bow he left her to attack Mr.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3422	Darcy, whose reception of his advances she eagerly watched, and whose
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3423	astonishment at being so addressed was very evident. Her cousin prefaced
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3424	his speech with a solemn bow and though she could not hear a word of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3425	it, she felt as if hearing it all, and saw in the motion of his lips the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3426	words “apology,” “Hunsford,” and “Lady Catherine de Bourgh.” It vexed
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3427	her to see him expose himself to such a man. Mr. Darcy was eyeing him
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3428	with unrestrained wonder, and when at last Mr. Collins allowed him time
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3429	to speak, replied with an air of distant civility. Mr. Collins, however,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3430	was not discouraged from speaking again, and Mr. Darcy’s contempt seemed
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3431	abundantly increasing with the length of his second speech, and at the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3432	end of it he only made him a slight bow, and moved another way. Mr.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3433	Collins then returned to Elizabeth.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3434
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3435	“I have no reason, I assure you,” said he, “to be dissatisfied with my
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3436	reception. Mr. Darcy seemed much pleased with the attention. He answered
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3437	me with the utmost civility, and even paid me the compliment of saying
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3438	that he was so well convinced of Lady Catherine’s discernment as to be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3439	certain she could never bestow a favour unworthily. It was really a very
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3440	handsome thought. Upon the whole, I am much pleased with him.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3441
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3442	As Elizabeth had no longer any interest of her own to pursue, she turned
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3443	her attention almost entirely on her sister and Mr. Bingley; and the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3444	train of agreeable reflections which her observations gave birth to,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3445	made her perhaps almost as happy as Jane. She saw her in idea settled in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3446	that very house, in all the felicity which a marriage of true affection
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3447	could bestow; and she felt capable, under such circumstances, of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3448	endeavouring even to like Bingley’s two sisters. Her mother’s thoughts
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3449	she plainly saw were bent the same way, and she determined not to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3450	venture near her, lest she might hear too much. When they sat down to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3451	supper, therefore, she considered it a most unlucky perverseness which
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3452	placed them within one of each other; and deeply was she vexed to find
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3453	that her mother was talking to that one person (Lady Lucas) freely,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3454	openly, and of nothing else but her expectation that Jane would soon
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3455	be married to Mr. Bingley. It was an animating subject, and Mrs. Bennet
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3456	seemed incapable of fatigue while enumerating the advantages of the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3457	match. His being such a charming young man, and so rich, and living but
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3458	three miles from them, were the first points of self-gratulation; and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3459	then it was such a comfort to think how fond the two sisters were of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3460	Jane, and to be certain that they must desire the connection as much as
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3461	she could do. It was, moreover, such a promising thing for her younger
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3462	daughters, as Jane’s marrying so greatly must throw them in the way of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3463	other rich men; and lastly, it was so pleasant at her time of life to be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3464	able to consign her single daughters to the care of their sister, that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3465	she might not be obliged to go into company more than she liked. It was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3466	necessary to make this circumstance a matter of pleasure, because on
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3467	such occasions it is the etiquette; but no one was less likely than Mrs.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3468	Bennet to find comfort in staying home at any period of her life. She
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3469	concluded with many good wishes that Lady Lucas might soon be equally
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3470	fortunate, though evidently and triumphantly believing there was no
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3471	chance of it.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3472
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3473	In vain did Elizabeth endeavour to check the rapidity of her mother’s
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3474	words, or persuade her to describe her felicity in a less audible
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3475	whisper; for, to her inexpressible vexation, she could perceive that the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3476	chief of it was overheard by Mr. Darcy, who sat opposite to them. Her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3477	mother only scolded her for being nonsensical.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3478
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3479	“What is Mr. Darcy to me, pray, that I should be afraid of him? I am
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3480	sure we owe him no such particular civility as to be obliged to say
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3481	nothing _he_ may not like to hear.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3482
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3483	“For heaven’s sake, madam, speak lower. What advantage can it be for you
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3484	to offend Mr. Darcy? You will never recommend yourself to his friend by
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3485	so doing!”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3486
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3487	Nothing that she could say, however, had any influence. Her mother would
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3488	talk of her views in the same intelligible tone. Elizabeth blushed and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3489	blushed again with shame and vexation. She could not help frequently
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3490	glancing her eye at Mr. Darcy, though every glance convinced her of what
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3491	she dreaded; for though he was not always looking at her mother, she was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3492	convinced that his attention was invariably fixed by her. The expression
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3493	of his face changed gradually from indignant contempt to a composed and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3494	steady gravity.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3495
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3496	At length, however, Mrs. Bennet had no more to say; and Lady Lucas, who
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3497	had been long yawning at the repetition of delights which she saw no
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3498	likelihood of sharing, was left to the comforts of cold ham and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3499	chicken. Elizabeth now began to revive. But not long was the interval of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3500	tranquillity; for, when supper was over, singing was talked of, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3501	she had the mortification of seeing Mary, after very little entreaty,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3502	preparing to oblige the company. By many significant looks and silent
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3503	entreaties, did she endeavour to prevent such a proof of complaisance,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3504	but in vain; Mary would not understand them; such an opportunity of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3505	exhibiting was delightful to her, and she began her song. Elizabeth’s
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3506	eyes were fixed on her with most painful sensations, and she watched her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3507	progress through the several stanzas with an impatience which was very
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3508	ill rewarded at their close; for Mary, on receiving, amongst the thanks
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3509	of the table, the hint of a hope that she might be prevailed on to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3510	favour them again, after the pause of half a minute began another.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3511	Mary’s powers were by no means fitted for such a display; her voice was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3512	weak, and her manner affected. Elizabeth was in agonies. She looked at
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3513	Jane, to see how she bore it; but Jane was very composedly talking to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3514	Bingley. She looked at his two sisters, and saw them making signs
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3515	of derision at each other, and at Darcy, who continued, however,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3516	imperturbably grave. She looked at her father to entreat his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3517	interference, lest Mary should be singing all night. He took the hint,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3518	and when Mary had finished her second song, said aloud, “That will do
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3519	extremely well, child. You have delighted us long enough. Let the other
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3520	young ladies have time to exhibit.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3521
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3522	Mary, though pretending not to hear, was somewhat disconcerted; and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3523	Elizabeth, sorry for her, and sorry for her father’s speech, was afraid
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3524	her anxiety had done no good. Others of the party were now applied to.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3525
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3526	“If I,” said Mr. Collins, “were so fortunate as to be able to sing, I
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3527	should have great pleasure, I am sure, in obliging the company with an
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3528	air; for I consider music as a very innocent diversion, and perfectly
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3529	compatible with the profession of a clergyman. I do not mean, however,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3530	to assert that we can be justified in devoting too much of our time
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3531	to music, for there are certainly other things to be attended to. The
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3532	rector of a parish has much to do. In the first place, he must make
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3533	such an agreement for tithes as may be beneficial to himself and not
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3534	offensive to his patron. He must write his own sermons; and the time
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3535	that remains will not be too much for his parish duties, and the care
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3536	and improvement of his dwelling, which he cannot be excused from making
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3537	as comfortable as possible. And I do not think it of light importance
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3538	that he should have attentive and conciliatory manners towards everybody,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3539	especially towards those to whom he owes his preferment. I cannot acquit
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3540	him of that duty; nor could I think well of the man who should omit an
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3541	occasion of testifying his respect towards anybody connected with the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3542	family.” And with a bow to Mr. Darcy, he concluded his speech, which had
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3543	been spoken so loud as to be heard by half the room. Many stared--many
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3544	smiled; but no one looked more amused than Mr. Bennet himself, while his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3545	wife seriously commended Mr. Collins for having spoken so sensibly,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3546	and observed in a half-whisper to Lady Lucas, that he was a remarkably
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3547	clever, good kind of young man.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3548
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3549	To Elizabeth it appeared that, had her family made an agreement to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3550	expose themselves as much as they could during the evening, it would
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3551	have been impossible for them to play their parts with more spirit or
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3552	finer success; and happy did she think it for Bingley and her sister
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3553	that some of the exhibition had escaped his notice, and that his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3554	feelings were not of a sort to be much distressed by the folly which he
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3555	must have witnessed. That his two sisters and Mr. Darcy, however, should
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3556	have such an opportunity of ridiculing her relations, was bad enough,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3557	and she could not determine whether the silent contempt of the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3558	gentleman, or the insolent smiles of the ladies, were more intolerable.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3559
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3560	The rest of the evening brought her little amusement. She was teased by
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3561	Mr. Collins, who continued most perseveringly by her side, and though
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3562	he could not prevail on her to dance with him again, put it out of her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3563	power to dance with others. In vain did she entreat him to stand up with
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3564	somebody else, and offer to introduce him to any young lady in the room.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3565	He assured her, that as to dancing, he was perfectly indifferent to it;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3566	that his chief object was by delicate attentions to recommend himself to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3567	her and that he should therefore make a point of remaining close to her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3568	the whole evening. There was no arguing upon such a project. She owed
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3569	her greatest relief to her friend Miss Lucas, who often joined them, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3570	good-naturedly engaged Mr. Collins’s conversation to herself.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3571
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3572	She was at least free from the offense of Mr. Darcy’s further notice;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3573	though often standing within a very short distance of her, quite
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3574	disengaged, he never came near enough to speak. She felt it to be the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3575	probable consequence of her allusions to Mr. Wickham, and rejoiced in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3576	it.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3577
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3578	The Longbourn party were the last of all the company to depart, and, by
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3579	a manoeuvre of Mrs. Bennet, had to wait for their carriage a quarter of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3580	an hour after everybody else was gone, which gave them time to see how
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3581	heartily they were wished away by some of the family. Mrs. Hurst and her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3582	sister scarcely opened their mouths, except to complain of fatigue, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3583	were evidently impatient to have the house to themselves. They repulsed
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3584	every attempt of Mrs. Bennet at conversation, and by so doing threw a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3585	languor over the whole party, which was very little relieved by the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3586	long speeches of Mr. Collins, who was complimenting Mr. Bingley and his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3587	sisters on the elegance of their entertainment, and the hospitality and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3588	politeness which had marked their behaviour to their guests. Darcy said
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3589	nothing at all. Mr. Bennet, in equal silence, was enjoying the scene.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3590	Mr. Bingley and Jane were standing together, a little detached from the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3591	rest, and talked only to each other. Elizabeth preserved as steady a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3592	silence as either Mrs. Hurst or Miss Bingley; and even Lydia was too
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3593	much fatigued to utter more than the occasional exclamation of “Lord,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3594	how tired I am!” accompanied by a violent yawn.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3595
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3596	When at length they arose to take leave, Mrs. Bennet was most pressingly
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3597	civil in her hope of seeing the whole family soon at Longbourn, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3598	addressed herself especially to Mr. Bingley, to assure him how happy he
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3599	would make them by eating a family dinner with them at any time, without
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3600	the ceremony of a formal invitation. Bingley was all grateful pleasure,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3601	and he readily engaged for taking the earliest opportunity of waiting on
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3602	her, after his return from London, whither he was obliged to go the next
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3603	day for a short time.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3604
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3605	Mrs. Bennet was perfectly satisfied, and quitted the house under the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3606	delightful persuasion that, allowing for the necessary preparations of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3607	settlements, new carriages, and wedding clothes, she should undoubtedly
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3608	see her daughter settled at Netherfield in the course of three or four
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3609	months. Of having another daughter married to Mr. Collins, she thought
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3610	with equal certainty, and with considerable, though not equal, pleasure.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3611	Elizabeth was the least dear to her of all her children; and though the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3612	man and the match were quite good enough for _her_, the worth of each
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3613	was eclipsed by Mr. Bingley and Netherfield.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3614
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3615
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3616
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3617	Chapter 19
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3618
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3619
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3620	The next day opened a new scene at Longbourn. Mr. Collins made his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3621	declaration in form. Having resolved to do it without loss of time, as
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3622	his leave of absence extended only to the following Saturday, and having
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3623	no feelings of diffidence to make it distressing to himself even at
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3624	the moment, he set about it in a very orderly manner, with all the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3625	observances, which he supposed a regular part of the business. On
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3626	finding Mrs. Bennet, Elizabeth, and one of the younger girls together,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3627	soon after breakfast, he addressed the mother in these words:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3628
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3629	“May I hope, madam, for your interest with your fair daughter Elizabeth,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3630	when I solicit for the honour of a private audience with her in the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3631	course of this morning?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3632
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3633	Before Elizabeth had time for anything but a blush of surprise, Mrs.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3634	Bennet answered instantly, “Oh dear!--yes--certainly. I am sure Lizzy
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3635	will be very happy--I am sure she can have no objection. Come, Kitty, I
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3636	want you up stairs.” And, gathering her work together, she was hastening
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3637	away, when Elizabeth called out:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3638
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3639	“Dear madam, do not go. I beg you will not go. Mr. Collins must excuse
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3640	me. He can have nothing to say to me that anybody need not hear. I am
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3641	going away myself.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3642
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3643	“No, no, nonsense, Lizzy. I desire you to stay where you are.” And upon
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3644	Elizabeth’s seeming really, with vexed and embarrassed looks, about to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3645	escape, she added: “Lizzy, I _insist_ upon your staying and hearing Mr.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3646	Collins.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3647
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3648	Elizabeth would not oppose such an injunction--and a moment’s
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3649	consideration making her also sensible that it would be wisest to get it
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3650	over as soon and as quietly as possible, she sat down again and tried to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3651	conceal, by incessant employment the feelings which were divided between
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3652	distress and diversion. Mrs. Bennet and Kitty walked off, and as soon as
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3653	they were gone, Mr. Collins began.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3654
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3655	“Believe me, my dear Miss Elizabeth, that your modesty, so far from
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3656	doing you any disservice, rather adds to your other perfections. You
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3657	would have been less amiable in my eyes had there _not_ been this little
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3658	unwillingness; but allow me to assure you, that I have your respected
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3659	mother’s permission for this address. You can hardly doubt the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3660	purport of my discourse, however your natural delicacy may lead you to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3661	dissemble; my attentions have been too marked to be mistaken. Almost as
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3662	soon as I entered the house, I singled you out as the companion of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3663	my future life. But before I am run away with by my feelings on this
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3664	subject, perhaps it would be advisable for me to state my reasons for
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3665	marrying--and, moreover, for coming into Hertfordshire with the design
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3666	of selecting a wife, as I certainly did.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3667
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3668	The idea of Mr. Collins, with all his solemn composure, being run away
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3669	with by his feelings, made Elizabeth so near laughing, that she could
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3670	not use the short pause he allowed in any attempt to stop him further,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3671	and he continued:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3672
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3673	“My reasons for marrying are, first, that I think it a right thing for
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3674	every clergyman in easy circumstances (like myself) to set the example
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3675	of matrimony in his parish; secondly, that I am convinced that it will
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3676	add very greatly to my happiness; and thirdly--which perhaps I ought
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3677	to have mentioned earlier, that it is the particular advice and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3678	recommendation of the very noble lady whom I have the honour of calling
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3679	patroness. Twice has she condescended to give me her opinion (unasked
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3680	too!) on this subject; and it was but the very Saturday night before I
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3681	left Hunsford--between our pools at quadrille, while Mrs. Jenkinson was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3682	arranging Miss de Bourgh’s footstool, that she said, ‘Mr. Collins, you
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3683	must marry. A clergyman like you must marry. Choose properly, choose
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3684	a gentlewoman for _my_ sake; and for your _own_, let her be an active,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3685	useful sort of person, not brought up high, but able to make a small
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3686	income go a good way. This is my advice. Find such a woman as soon as
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3687	you can, bring her to Hunsford, and I will visit her.’ Allow me, by the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3688	way, to observe, my fair cousin, that I do not reckon the notice
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3689	and kindness of Lady Catherine de Bourgh as among the least of the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3690	advantages in my power to offer. You will find her manners beyond
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3691	anything I can describe; and your wit and vivacity, I think, must be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3692	acceptable to her, especially when tempered with the silence and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3693	respect which her rank will inevitably excite. Thus much for my general
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3694	intention in favour of matrimony; it remains to be told why my views
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3695	were directed towards Longbourn instead of my own neighbourhood, where I
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3696	can assure you there are many amiable young women. But the fact is, that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3697	being, as I am, to inherit this estate after the death of your honoured
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3698	father (who, however, may live many years longer), I could not satisfy
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3699	myself without resolving to choose a wife from among his daughters, that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3700	the loss to them might be as little as possible, when the melancholy
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3701	event takes place--which, however, as I have already said, may not
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3702	be for several years. This has been my motive, my fair cousin, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3703	I flatter myself it will not sink me in your esteem. And now nothing
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3704	remains for me but to assure you in the most animated language of the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3705	violence of my affection. To fortune I am perfectly indifferent, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3706	shall make no demand of that nature on your father, since I am well
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3707	aware that it could not be complied with; and that one thousand pounds
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3708	in the four per cents, which will not be yours till after your mother’s
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3709	decease, is all that you may ever be entitled to. On that head,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3710	therefore, I shall be uniformly silent; and you may assure yourself that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3711	no ungenerous reproach shall ever pass my lips when we are married.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3712
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3713	It was absolutely necessary to interrupt him now.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3714
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3715	“You are too hasty, sir,” she cried. “You forget that I have made no
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3716	answer. Let me do it without further loss of time. Accept my thanks for
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3717	the compliment you are paying me. I am very sensible of the honour of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3718	your proposals, but it is impossible for me to do otherwise than to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3719	decline them.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3720
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3721	“I am not now to learn,” replied Mr. Collins, with a formal wave of the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3722	hand, “that it is usual with young ladies to reject the addresses of the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3723	man whom they secretly mean to accept, when he first applies for their
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3724	favour; and that sometimes the refusal is repeated a second, or even a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3725	third time. I am therefore by no means discouraged by what you have just
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3726	said, and shall hope to lead you to the altar ere long.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3727
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3728	“Upon my word, sir,” cried Elizabeth, “your hope is a rather
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3729	extraordinary one after my declaration. I do assure you that I am not
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3730	one of those young ladies (if such young ladies there are) who are so
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3731	daring as to risk their happiness on the chance of being asked a second
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3732	time. I am perfectly serious in my refusal. You could not make _me_
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3733	happy, and I am convinced that I am the last woman in the world who
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3734	could make you so. Nay, were your friend Lady Catherine to know me, I
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3735	am persuaded she would find me in every respect ill qualified for the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3736	situation.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3737
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3738	“Were it certain that Lady Catherine would think so,” said Mr. Collins
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3739	very gravely--“but I cannot imagine that her ladyship would at all
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3740	disapprove of you. And you may be certain when I have the honour of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3741	seeing her again, I shall speak in the very highest terms of your
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3742	modesty, economy, and other amiable qualification.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3743
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3744	“Indeed, Mr. Collins, all praise of me will be unnecessary. You
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3745	must give me leave to judge for myself, and pay me the compliment
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3746	of believing what I say. I wish you very happy and very rich, and by
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3747	refusing your hand, do all in my power to prevent your being otherwise.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3748	In making me the offer, you must have satisfied the delicacy of your
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3749	feelings with regard to my family, and may take possession of Longbourn
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3750	estate whenever it falls, without any self-reproach. This matter may
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3751	be considered, therefore, as finally settled.” And rising as she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3752	thus spoke, she would have quitted the room, had Mr. Collins not thus
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3753	addressed her:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3754
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3755	“When I do myself the honour of speaking to you next on the subject, I
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3756	shall hope to receive a more favourable answer than you have now given
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3757	me; though I am far from accusing you of cruelty at present, because I
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3758	know it to be the established custom of your sex to reject a man on
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3759	the first application, and perhaps you have even now said as much to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3760	encourage my suit as would be consistent with the true delicacy of the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3761	female character.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3762
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3763	“Really, Mr. Collins,” cried Elizabeth with some warmth, “you puzzle me
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3764	exceedingly. If what I have hitherto said can appear to you in the form
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3765	of encouragement, I know not how to express my refusal in such a way as
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3766	to convince you of its being one.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3767
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3768	“You must give me leave to flatter myself, my dear cousin, that your
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3769	refusal of my addresses is merely words of course. My reasons for
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3770	believing it are briefly these: It does not appear to me that my hand is
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3771	unworthy of your acceptance, or that the establishment I can offer would
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3772	be any other than highly desirable. My situation in life, my connections
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3773	with the family of de Bourgh, and my relationship to your own, are
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3774	circumstances highly in my favour; and you should take it into further
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3775	consideration, that in spite of your manifold attractions, it is by no
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3776	means certain that another offer of marriage may ever be made you. Your
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3777	portion is unhappily so small that it will in all likelihood undo
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3778	the effects of your loveliness and amiable qualifications. As I must
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3779	therefore conclude that you are not serious in your rejection of me,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3780	I shall choose to attribute it to your wish of increasing my love by
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3781	suspense, according to the usual practice of elegant females.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3782
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3783	“I do assure you, sir, that I have no pretensions whatever to that kind
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3784	of elegance which consists in tormenting a respectable man. I would
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3785	rather be paid the compliment of being believed sincere. I thank you
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3786	again and again for the honour you have done me in your proposals, but
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3787	to accept them is absolutely impossible. My feelings in every respect
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3788	forbid it. Can I speak plainer? Do not consider me now as an elegant
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3789	female, intending to plague you, but as a rational creature, speaking
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3790	the truth from her heart.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3791
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3792	“You are uniformly charming!” cried he, with an air of awkward
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3793	gallantry; “and I am persuaded that when sanctioned by the express
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3794	authority of both your excellent parents, my proposals will not fail of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3795	being acceptable.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3796
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3797	To such perseverance in wilful self-deception Elizabeth would make
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3798	no reply, and immediately and in silence withdrew; determined, if
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3799	he persisted in considering her repeated refusals as flattering
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3800	encouragement, to apply to her father, whose negative might be uttered
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3801	in such a manner as to be decisive, and whose behaviour at least could
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3802	not be mistaken for the affectation and coquetry of an elegant female.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3803
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3804
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3805
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3806	Chapter 20
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3807
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3808
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3809	Mr. Collins was not left long to the silent contemplation of his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3810	successful love; for Mrs. Bennet, having dawdled about in the vestibule
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3811	to watch for the end of the conference, no sooner saw Elizabeth open
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3812	the door and with quick step pass her towards the staircase, than she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3813	entered the breakfast-room, and congratulated both him and herself in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3814	warm terms on the happy prospect of their nearer connection. Mr. Collins
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3815	received and returned these felicitations with equal pleasure, and then
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3816	proceeded to relate the particulars of their interview, with the result
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3817	of which he trusted he had every reason to be satisfied, since the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3818	refusal which his cousin had steadfastly given him would naturally flow
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3819	from her bashful modesty and the genuine delicacy of her character.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3820
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3821	This information, however, startled Mrs. Bennet; she would have been
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3822	glad to be equally satisfied that her daughter had meant to encourage
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3823	him by protesting against his proposals, but she dared not believe it,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3824	and could not help saying so.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3825
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3826	“But, depend upon it, Mr. Collins,” she added, “that Lizzy shall be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3827	brought to reason. I will speak to her about it directly. She is a very
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3828	headstrong, foolish girl, and does not know her own interest but I will
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3829	_make_ her know it.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3830
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3831	“Pardon me for interrupting you, madam,” cried Mr. Collins; “but if
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3832	she is really headstrong and foolish, I know not whether she would
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3833	altogether be a very desirable wife to a man in my situation, who
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3834	naturally looks for happiness in the marriage state. If therefore she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3835	actually persists in rejecting my suit, perhaps it were better not
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3836	to force her into accepting me, because if liable to such defects of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3837	temper, she could not contribute much to my felicity.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3838
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3839	“Sir, you quite misunderstand me,” said Mrs. Bennet, alarmed. “Lizzy is
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3840	only headstrong in such matters as these. In everything else she is as
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3841	good-natured a girl as ever lived. I will go directly to Mr. Bennet, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3842	we shall very soon settle it with her, I am sure.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3843
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3844	She would not give him time to reply, but hurrying instantly to her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3845	husband, called out as she entered the library, “Oh! Mr. Bennet, you
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3846	are wanted immediately; we are all in an uproar. You must come and make
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3847	Lizzy marry Mr. Collins, for she vows she will not have him, and if you
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3848	do not make haste he will change his mind and not have _her_.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3849
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3850	Mr. Bennet raised his eyes from his book as she entered, and fixed them
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3851	on her face with a calm unconcern which was not in the least altered by
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3852	her communication.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3853
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3854	“I have not the pleasure of understanding you,” said he, when she had
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3855	finished her speech. “Of what are you talking?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3856
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3857	“Of Mr. Collins and Lizzy. Lizzy declares she will not have Mr. Collins,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3858	and Mr. Collins begins to say that he will not have Lizzy.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3859
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3860	“And what am I to do on the occasion? It seems an hopeless business.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3861
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3862	“Speak to Lizzy about it yourself. Tell her that you insist upon her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3863	marrying him.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3864
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3865	“Let her be called down. She shall hear my opinion.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3866
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3867	Mrs. Bennet rang the bell, and Miss Elizabeth was summoned to the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3868	library.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3869
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3870	“Come here, child,” cried her father as she appeared. “I have sent for
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3871	you on an affair of importance. I understand that Mr. Collins has made
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3872	you an offer of marriage. Is it true?” Elizabeth replied that it was.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3873	“Very well--and this offer of marriage you have refused?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3874
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3875	“I have, sir.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3876
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3877	“Very well. We now come to the point. Your mother insists upon your
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3878	accepting it. Is it not so, Mrs. Bennet?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3879
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3880	“Yes, or I will never see her again.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3881
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3882	“An unhappy alternative is before you, Elizabeth. From this day you must
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3883	be a stranger to one of your parents. Your mother will never see you
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3884	again if you do _not_ marry Mr. Collins, and I will never see you again
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3885	if you _do_.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3886
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3887	Elizabeth could not but smile at such a conclusion of such a beginning,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3888	but Mrs. Bennet, who had persuaded herself that her husband regarded the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3889	affair as she wished, was excessively disappointed.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3890
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3891	“What do you mean, Mr. Bennet, in talking this way? You promised me to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3892	_insist_ upon her marrying him.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3893
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3894	“My dear,” replied her husband, “I have two small favours to request.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3895	First, that you will allow me the free use of my understanding on the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3896	present occasion; and secondly, of my room. I shall be glad to have the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3897	library to myself as soon as may be.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3898
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3899	Not yet, however, in spite of her disappointment in her husband, did
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3900	Mrs. Bennet give up the point. She talked to Elizabeth again and again;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3901	coaxed and threatened her by turns. She endeavoured to secure Jane
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3902	in her interest; but Jane, with all possible mildness, declined
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3903	interfering; and Elizabeth, sometimes with real earnestness, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3904	sometimes with playful gaiety, replied to her attacks. Though her manner
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3905	varied, however, her determination never did.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3906
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3907	Mr. Collins, meanwhile, was meditating in solitude on what had passed.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3908	He thought too well of himself to comprehend on what motives his cousin
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3909	could refuse him; and though his pride was hurt, he suffered in no other
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3910	way. His regard for her was quite imaginary; and the possibility of her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3911	deserving her mother’s reproach prevented his feeling any regret.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3912
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3913	While the family were in this confusion, Charlotte Lucas came to spend
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3914	the day with them. She was met in the vestibule by Lydia, who, flying to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3915	her, cried in a half whisper, “I am glad you are come, for there is such
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3916	fun here! What do you think has happened this morning? Mr. Collins has
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3917	made an offer to Lizzy, and she will not have him.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3918
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3919	Charlotte hardly had time to answer, before they were joined by Kitty,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3920	who came to tell the same news; and no sooner had they entered the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3921	breakfast-room, where Mrs. Bennet was alone, than she likewise began on
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3922	the subject, calling on Miss Lucas for her compassion, and entreating
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3923	her to persuade her friend Lizzy to comply with the wishes of all her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3924	family. “Pray do, my dear Miss Lucas,” she added in a melancholy tone,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3925	“for nobody is on my side, nobody takes part with me. I am cruelly used,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3926	nobody feels for my poor nerves.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3927
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3928	Charlotte’s reply was spared by the entrance of Jane and Elizabeth.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3929
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3930	“Aye, there she comes,” continued Mrs. Bennet, “looking as unconcerned
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3931	as may be, and caring no more for us than if we were at York, provided
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3932	she can have her own way. But I tell you, Miss Lizzy--if you take it
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3933	into your head to go on refusing every offer of marriage in this way,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3934	you will never get a husband at all--and I am sure I do not know who is
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3935	to maintain you when your father is dead. I shall not be able to keep
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3936	you--and so I warn you. I have done with you from this very day. I told
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3937	you in the library, you know, that I should never speak to you again,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3938	and you will find me as good as my word. I have no pleasure in talking
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3939	to undutiful children. Not that I have much pleasure, indeed, in talking
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3940	to anybody. People who suffer as I do from nervous complaints can have
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3941	no great inclination for talking. Nobody can tell what I suffer! But it
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3942	is always so. Those who do not complain are never pitied.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3943
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3944	Her daughters listened in silence to this effusion, sensible that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3945	any attempt to reason with her or soothe her would only increase the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3946	irritation. She talked on, therefore, without interruption from any of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3947	them, till they were joined by Mr. Collins, who entered the room with
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3948	an air more stately than usual, and on perceiving whom, she said to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3949	the girls, “Now, I do insist upon it, that you, all of you, hold
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3950	your tongues, and let me and Mr. Collins have a little conversation
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3951	together.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3952
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3953	Elizabeth passed quietly out of the room, Jane and Kitty followed, but
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3954	Lydia stood her ground, determined to hear all she could; and Charlotte,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3955	detained first by the civility of Mr. Collins, whose inquiries after
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3956	herself and all her family were very minute, and then by a little
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3957	curiosity, satisfied herself with walking to the window and pretending
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3958	not to hear. In a doleful voice Mrs. Bennet began the projected
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3959	conversation: “Oh! Mr. Collins!”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3960
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3961	“My dear madam,” replied he, “let us be for ever silent on this point.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3962	Far be it from me,” he presently continued, in a voice that marked his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3963	displeasure, “to resent the behaviour of your daughter. Resignation
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3964	to inevitable evils is the duty of us all; the peculiar duty of a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3965	young man who has been so fortunate as I have been in early preferment;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3966	and I trust I am resigned. Perhaps not the less so from feeling a doubt
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3967	of my positive happiness had my fair cousin honoured me with her hand;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3968	for I have often observed that resignation is never so perfect as
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3969	when the blessing denied begins to lose somewhat of its value in our
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3970	estimation. You will not, I hope, consider me as showing any disrespect
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3971	to your family, my dear madam, by thus withdrawing my pretensions to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3972	your daughter’s favour, without having paid yourself and Mr. Bennet the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3973	compliment of requesting you to interpose your authority in my
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3974	behalf. My conduct may, I fear, be objectionable in having accepted my
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3975	dismission from your daughter’s lips instead of your own. But we are all
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3976	liable to error. I have certainly meant well through the whole affair.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3977	My object has been to secure an amiable companion for myself, with due
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3978	consideration for the advantage of all your family, and if my _manner_
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3979	has been at all reprehensible, I here beg leave to apologise.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3980
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3981
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3982
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3983	Chapter 21
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3984
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3985
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3986	The discussion of Mr. Collins’s offer was now nearly at an end, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3987	Elizabeth had only to suffer from the uncomfortable feelings necessarily
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3988	attending it, and occasionally from some peevish allusions of her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3989	mother. As for the gentleman himself, _his_ feelings were chiefly
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3990	expressed, not by embarrassment or dejection, or by trying to avoid her,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3991	but by stiffness of manner and resentful silence. He scarcely ever spoke
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3992	to her, and the assiduous attentions which he had been so sensible of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3993	himself were transferred for the rest of the day to Miss Lucas, whose
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3994	civility in listening to him was a seasonable relief to them all, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3995	especially to her friend.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3996
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3997	The morrow produced no abatement of Mrs. Bennet’s ill-humour or ill
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3998	health. Mr. Collins was also in the same state of angry pride. Elizabeth
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	3999	had hoped that his resentment might shorten his visit, but his plan did
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4000	not appear in the least affected by it. He was always to have gone on
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4001	Saturday, and to Saturday he meant to stay.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4002
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4003	After breakfast, the girls walked to Meryton to inquire if Mr. Wickham
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4004	were returned, and to lament over his absence from the Netherfield ball.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4005	He joined them on their entering the town, and attended them to their
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4006	aunt’s where his regret and vexation, and the concern of everybody, was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4007	well talked over. To Elizabeth, however, he voluntarily acknowledged
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4008	that the necessity of his absence _had_ been self-imposed.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4009
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4010	“I found,” said he, “as the time drew near that I had better not meet
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4011	Mr. Darcy; that to be in the same room, the same party with him for so
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4012	many hours together, might be more than I could bear, and that scenes
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4013	might arise unpleasant to more than myself.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4014
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4015	She highly approved his forbearance, and they had leisure for a full
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4016	discussion of it, and for all the commendation which they civilly
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4017	bestowed on each other, as Wickham and another officer walked back with
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4018	them to Longbourn, and during the walk he particularly attended to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4019	her. His accompanying them was a double advantage; she felt all the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4020	compliment it offered to herself, and it was most acceptable as an
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4021	occasion of introducing him to her father and mother.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4022
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4023	Soon after their return, a letter was delivered to Miss Bennet; it came
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4024	from Netherfield. The envelope contained a sheet of elegant, little,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4025	hot-pressed paper, well covered with a lady’s fair, flowing hand; and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4026	Elizabeth saw her sister’s countenance change as she read it, and saw
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4027	her dwelling intently on some particular passages. Jane recollected
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4028	herself soon, and putting the letter away, tried to join with her usual
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4029	cheerfulness in the general conversation; but Elizabeth felt an anxiety
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4030	on the subject which drew off her attention even from Wickham; and no
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4031	sooner had he and his companion taken leave, than a glance from Jane
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4032	invited her to follow her up stairs. When they had gained their own room,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4033	Jane, taking out the letter, said:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4034
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4035	“This is from Caroline Bingley; what it contains has surprised me a good
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4036	deal. The whole party have left Netherfield by this time, and are on
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4037	their way to town--and without any intention of coming back again. You
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4038	shall hear what she says.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4039
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4040	She then read the first sentence aloud, which comprised the information
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4041	of their having just resolved to follow their brother to town directly,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4042	and of their meaning to dine in Grosvenor Street, where Mr. Hurst had a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4043	house. The next was in these words: “I do not pretend to regret anything
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4044	I shall leave in Hertfordshire, except your society, my dearest friend;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4045	but we will hope, at some future period, to enjoy many returns of that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4046	delightful intercourse we have known, and in the meanwhile may
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4047	lessen the pain of separation by a very frequent and most unreserved
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4048	correspondence. I depend on you for that.” To these highflown
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4049	expressions Elizabeth listened with all the insensibility of distrust;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4050	and though the suddenness of their removal surprised her, she saw
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4051	nothing in it really to lament; it was not to be supposed that their
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4052	absence from Netherfield would prevent Mr. Bingley’s being there; and as
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4053	to the loss of their society, she was persuaded that Jane must cease to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4054	regard it, in the enjoyment of his.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4055
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4056	“It is unlucky,” said she, after a short pause, “that you should not be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4057	able to see your friends before they leave the country. But may we not
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4058	hope that the period of future happiness to which Miss Bingley looks
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4059	forward may arrive earlier than she is aware, and that the delightful
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4060	intercourse you have known as friends will be renewed with yet greater
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4061	satisfaction as sisters? Mr. Bingley will not be detained in London by
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4062	them.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4063
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4064	“Caroline decidedly says that none of the party will return into
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4065	Hertfordshire this winter. I will read it to you:”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4066
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4067	“When my brother left us yesterday, he imagined that the business which
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4068	took him to London might be concluded in three or four days; but as we
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4069	are certain it cannot be so, and at the same time convinced that when
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4070	Charles gets to town he will be in no hurry to leave it again, we have
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4071	determined on following him thither, that he may not be obliged to spend
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4072	his vacant hours in a comfortless hotel. Many of my acquaintances are
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4073	already there for the winter; I wish that I could hear that you, my
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4074	dearest friend, had any intention of making one of the crowd--but of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4075	that I despair. I sincerely hope your Christmas in Hertfordshire may
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4076	abound in the gaieties which that season generally brings, and that your
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4077	beaux will be so numerous as to prevent your feeling the loss of the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4078	three of whom we shall deprive you.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4079
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4080	“It is evident by this,” added Jane, “that he comes back no more this
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4081	winter.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4082
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4083	“It is only evident that Miss Bingley does not mean that he _should_.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4084
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4085	“Why will you think so? It must be his own doing. He is his own
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4086	master. But you do not know _all_. I _will_ read you the passage which
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4087	particularly hurts me. I will have no reserves from _you_.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4088
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4089	“Mr. Darcy is impatient to see his sister; and, to confess the truth,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4090	_we_ are scarcely less eager to meet her again. I really do not think
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4091	Georgiana Darcy has her equal for beauty, elegance, and accomplishments;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4092	and the affection she inspires in Louisa and myself is heightened into
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4093	something still more interesting, from the hope we dare entertain of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4094	her being hereafter our sister. I do not know whether I ever before
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4095	mentioned to you my feelings on this subject; but I will not leave the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4096	country without confiding them, and I trust you will not esteem them
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4097	unreasonable. My brother admires her greatly already; he will have
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4098	frequent opportunity now of seeing her on the most intimate footing;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4099	her relations all wish the connection as much as his own; and a sister’s
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4100	partiality is not misleading me, I think, when I call Charles most
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4101	capable of engaging any woman’s heart. With all these circumstances to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4102	favour an attachment, and nothing to prevent it, am I wrong, my dearest
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4103	Jane, in indulging the hope of an event which will secure the happiness
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4104	of so many?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4105
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4106	“What do you think of _this_ sentence, my dear Lizzy?” said Jane as she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4107	finished it. “Is it not clear enough? Does it not expressly declare that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4108	Caroline neither expects nor wishes me to be her sister; that she is
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4109	perfectly convinced of her brother’s indifference; and that if she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4110	suspects the nature of my feelings for him, she means (most kindly!) to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4111	put me on my guard? Can there be any other opinion on the subject?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4112
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4113	“Yes, there can; for mine is totally different. Will you hear it?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4114
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4115	“Most willingly.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4116
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4117	“You shall have it in a few words. Miss Bingley sees that her brother is
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4118	in love with you, and wants him to marry Miss Darcy. She follows him
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4119	to town in hope of keeping him there, and tries to persuade you that he
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4120	does not care about you.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4121
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4122	Jane shook her head.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4123
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4124	“Indeed, Jane, you ought to believe me. No one who has ever seen you
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4125	together can doubt his affection. Miss Bingley, I am sure, cannot. She
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4126	is not such a simpleton. Could she have seen half as much love in Mr.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4127	Darcy for herself, she would have ordered her wedding clothes. But the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4128	case is this: We are not rich enough or grand enough for them; and she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4129	is the more anxious to get Miss Darcy for her brother, from the notion
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4130	that when there has been _one_ intermarriage, she may have less trouble
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4131	in achieving a second; in which there is certainly some ingenuity, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4132	I dare say it would succeed, if Miss de Bourgh were out of the way. But,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4133	my dearest Jane, you cannot seriously imagine that because Miss Bingley
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4134	tells you her brother greatly admires Miss Darcy, he is in the smallest
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4135	degree less sensible of _your_ merit than when he took leave of you on
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4136	Tuesday, or that it will be in her power to persuade him that, instead
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4137	of being in love with you, he is very much in love with her friend.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4138
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4139	“If we thought alike of Miss Bingley,” replied Jane, “your
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4140	representation of all this might make me quite easy. But I know the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4141	foundation is unjust. Caroline is incapable of wilfully deceiving
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4142	anyone; and all that I can hope in this case is that she is deceiving
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4143	herself.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4144
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4145	“That is right. You could not have started a more happy idea, since you
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4146	will not take comfort in mine. Believe her to be deceived, by all means.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4147	You have now done your duty by her, and must fret no longer.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4148
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4149	“But, my dear sister, can I be happy, even supposing the best, in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4150	accepting a man whose sisters and friends are all wishing him to marry
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4151	elsewhere?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4152
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4153	“You must decide for yourself,” said Elizabeth; “and if, upon mature
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4154	deliberation, you find that the misery of disobliging his two sisters is
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4155	more than equivalent to the happiness of being his wife, I advise you by
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4156	all means to refuse him.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4157
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4158	“How can you talk so?” said Jane, faintly smiling. “You must know that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4159	though I should be exceedingly grieved at their disapprobation, I could
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4160	not hesitate.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4161
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4162	“I did not think you would; and that being the case, I cannot consider
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4163	your situation with much compassion.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4164
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4165	“But if he returns no more this winter, my choice will never be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4166	required. A thousand things may arise in six months!”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4167
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4168	The idea of his returning no more Elizabeth treated with the utmost
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4169	contempt. It appeared to her merely the suggestion of Caroline’s
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4170	interested wishes, and she could not for a moment suppose that those
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4171	wishes, however openly or artfully spoken, could influence a young man
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4172	so totally independent of everyone.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4173
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4174	She represented to her sister as forcibly as possible what she felt
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4175	on the subject, and had soon the pleasure of seeing its happy effect.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4176	Jane’s temper was not desponding, and she was gradually led to hope,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4177	though the diffidence of affection sometimes overcame the hope, that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4178	Bingley would return to Netherfield and answer every wish of her heart.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4179
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4180	They agreed that Mrs. Bennet should only hear of the departure of the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4181	family, without being alarmed on the score of the gentleman’s conduct;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4182	but even this partial communication gave her a great deal of concern,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4183	and she bewailed it as exceedingly unlucky that the ladies should happen
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4184	to go away just as they were all getting so intimate together. After
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4185	lamenting it, however, at some length, she had the consolation that Mr.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4186	Bingley would be soon down again and soon dining at Longbourn, and the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4187	conclusion of all was the comfortable declaration, that though he had
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4188	been invited only to a family dinner, she would take care to have two
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4189	full courses.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4190
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4191
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4192
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4193	Chapter 22
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4194
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4195
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4196	The Bennets were engaged to dine with the Lucases and again during the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4197	chief of the day was Miss Lucas so kind as to listen to Mr. Collins.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4198	Elizabeth took an opportunity of thanking her. “It keeps him in good
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4199	humour,” said she, “and I am more obliged to you than I can express.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4200	Charlotte assured her friend of her satisfaction in being useful, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4201	that it amply repaid her for the little sacrifice of her time. This was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4202	very amiable, but Charlotte’s kindness extended farther than Elizabeth
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4203	had any conception of; its object was nothing else than to secure her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4204	from any return of Mr. Collins’s addresses, by engaging them towards
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4205	herself. Such was Miss Lucas’s scheme; and appearances were so
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4206	favourable, that when they parted at night, she would have felt almost
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4207	secure of success if he had not been to leave Hertfordshire so very
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4208	soon. But here she did injustice to the fire and independence of his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4209	character, for it led him to escape out of Longbourn House the next
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4210	morning with admirable slyness, and hasten to Lucas Lodge to throw
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4211	himself at her feet. He was anxious to avoid the notice of his cousins,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4212	from a conviction that if they saw him depart, they could not fail to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4213	conjecture his design, and he was not willing to have the attempt known
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4214	till its success might be known likewise; for though feeling almost
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4215	secure, and with reason, for Charlotte had been tolerably encouraging,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4216	he was comparatively diffident since the adventure of Wednesday.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4217	His reception, however, was of the most flattering kind. Miss Lucas
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4218	perceived him from an upper window as he walked towards the house, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4219	instantly set out to meet him accidentally in the lane. But little had
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4220	she dared to hope that so much love and eloquence awaited her there.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4221
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4222	In as short a time as Mr. Collins’s long speeches would allow,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4223	everything was settled between them to the satisfaction of both; and as
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4224	they entered the house he earnestly entreated her to name the day that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4225	was to make him the happiest of men; and though such a solicitation must
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4226	be waived for the present, the lady felt no inclination to trifle with
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4227	his happiness. The stupidity with which he was favoured by nature must
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4228	guard his courtship from any charm that could make a woman wish for its
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4229	continuance; and Miss Lucas, who accepted him solely from the pure
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4230	and disinterested desire of an establishment, cared not how soon that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4231	establishment were gained.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4232
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4233	Sir William and Lady Lucas were speedily applied to for their consent;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4234	and it was bestowed with a most joyful alacrity. Mr. Collins’s present
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4235	circumstances made it a most eligible match for their daughter, to whom
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4236	they could give little fortune; and his prospects of future wealth were
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4237	exceedingly fair. Lady Lucas began directly to calculate, with more
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4238	interest than the matter had ever excited before, how many years longer
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4239	Mr. Bennet was likely to live; and Sir William gave it as his decided
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4240	opinion, that whenever Mr. Collins should be in possession of the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4241	Longbourn estate, it would be highly expedient that both he and his wife
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4242	should make their appearance at St. James’s. The whole family, in short,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4243	were properly overjoyed on the occasion. The younger girls formed hopes
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4244	of _coming out_ a year or two sooner than they might otherwise have
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4245	done; and the boys were relieved from their apprehension of Charlotte’s
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4246	dying an old maid. Charlotte herself was tolerably composed. She had
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4247	gained her point, and had time to consider of it. Her reflections were
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4248	in general satisfactory. Mr. Collins, to be sure, was neither sensible
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4249	nor agreeable; his society was irksome, and his attachment to her must
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4250	be imaginary. But still he would be her husband. Without thinking highly
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4251	either of men or matrimony, marriage had always been her object; it was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4252	the only provision for well-educated young women of small fortune,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4253	and however uncertain of giving happiness, must be their pleasantest
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4254	preservative from want. This preservative she had now obtained; and at
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4255	the age of twenty-seven, without having ever been handsome, she felt all
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4256	the good luck of it. The least agreeable circumstance in the business
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4257	was the surprise it must occasion to Elizabeth Bennet, whose friendship
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4258	she valued beyond that of any other person. Elizabeth would wonder,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4259	and probably would blame her; and though her resolution was not to be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4260	shaken, her feelings must be hurt by such a disapprobation. She resolved
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4261	to give her the information herself, and therefore charged Mr. Collins,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4262	when he returned to Longbourn to dinner, to drop no hint of what had
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4263	passed before any of the family. A promise of secrecy was of course very
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4264	dutifully given, but it could not be kept without difficulty; for the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4265	curiosity excited by his long absence burst forth in such very direct
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4266	questions on his return as required some ingenuity to evade, and he was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4267	at the same time exercising great self-denial, for he was longing to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4268	publish his prosperous love.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4269
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4270	As he was to begin his journey too early on the morrow to see any of the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4271	family, the ceremony of leave-taking was performed when the ladies moved
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4272	for the night; and Mrs. Bennet, with great politeness and cordiality,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4273	said how happy they should be to see him at Longbourn again, whenever
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4274	his engagements might allow him to visit them.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4275
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4276	“My dear madam,” he replied, “this invitation is particularly
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4277	gratifying, because it is what I have been hoping to receive; and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4278	you may be very certain that I shall avail myself of it as soon as
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4279	possible.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4280
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4281	They were all astonished; and Mr. Bennet, who could by no means wish for
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4282	so speedy a return, immediately said:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4283
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4284	“But is there not danger of Lady Catherine’s disapprobation here, my
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4285	good sir? You had better neglect your relations than run the risk of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4286	offending your patroness.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4287
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4288	“My dear sir,” replied Mr. Collins, “I am particularly obliged to you
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4289	for this friendly caution, and you may depend upon my not taking so
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4290	material a step without her ladyship’s concurrence.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4291
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4292	“You cannot be too much upon your guard. Risk anything rather than her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4293	displeasure; and if you find it likely to be raised by your coming to us
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4294	again, which I should think exceedingly probable, stay quietly at home,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4295	and be satisfied that _we_ shall take no offence.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4296
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4297	“Believe me, my dear sir, my gratitude is warmly excited by such
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4298	affectionate attention; and depend upon it, you will speedily receive
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4299	from me a letter of thanks for this, and for every other mark of your
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4300	regard during my stay in Hertfordshire. As for my fair cousins, though
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4301	my absence may not be long enough to render it necessary, I shall now
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4302	take the liberty of wishing them health and happiness, not excepting my
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4303	cousin Elizabeth.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4304
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4305	With proper civilities the ladies then withdrew; all of them equally
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4306	surprised that he meditated a quick return. Mrs. Bennet wished to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4307	understand by it that he thought of paying his addresses to one of her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4308	younger girls, and Mary might have been prevailed on to accept him.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4309	She rated his abilities much higher than any of the others; there was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4310	a solidity in his reflections which often struck her, and though by no
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4311	means so clever as herself, she thought that if encouraged to read
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4312	and improve himself by such an example as hers, he might become a very
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4313	agreeable companion. But on the following morning, every hope of this
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4314	kind was done away. Miss Lucas called soon after breakfast, and in a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4315	private conference with Elizabeth related the event of the day before.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4316
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4317	The possibility of Mr. Collins’s fancying himself in love with her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4318	friend had once occurred to Elizabeth within the last day or two; but
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4319	that Charlotte could encourage him seemed almost as far from
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4320	possibility as she could encourage him herself, and her astonishment was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4321	consequently so great as to overcome at first the bounds of decorum, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4322	she could not help crying out:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4323
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4324	“Engaged to Mr. Collins! My dear Charlotte--impossible!”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4325
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4326	The steady countenance which Miss Lucas had commanded in telling her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4327	story, gave way to a momentary confusion here on receiving so direct a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4328	reproach; though, as it was no more than she expected, she soon regained
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4329	her composure, and calmly replied:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4330
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4331	“Why should you be surprised, my dear Eliza? Do you think it incredible
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4332	that Mr. Collins should be able to procure any woman’s good opinion,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4333	because he was not so happy as to succeed with you?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4334
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4335	But Elizabeth had now recollected herself, and making a strong effort
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4336	for it, was able to assure with tolerable firmness that the prospect of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4337	their relationship was highly grateful to her, and that she wished her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4338	all imaginable happiness.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4339
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4340	“I see what you are feeling,” replied Charlotte. “You must be surprised,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4341	very much surprised--so lately as Mr. Collins was wishing to marry
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4342	you. But when you have had time to think it over, I hope you will be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4343	satisfied with what I have done. I am not romantic, you know; I never
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4344	was. I ask only a comfortable home; and considering Mr. Collins’s
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4345	character, connection, and situation in life, I am convinced that my
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4346	chance of happiness with him is as fair as most people can boast on
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4347	entering the marriage state.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4348
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4349	Elizabeth quietly answered “Undoubtedly;” and after an awkward pause,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4350	they returned to the rest of the family. Charlotte did not stay much
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4351	longer, and Elizabeth was then left to reflect on what she had heard.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4352	It was a long time before she became at all reconciled to the idea of so
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4353	unsuitable a match. The strangeness of Mr. Collins’s making two offers
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4354	of marriage within three days was nothing in comparison of his being now
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4355	accepted. She had always felt that Charlotte’s opinion of matrimony was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4356	not exactly like her own, but she had not supposed it to be possible
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4357	that, when called into action, she would have sacrificed every better
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4358	feeling to worldly advantage. Charlotte the wife of Mr. Collins was a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4359	most humiliating picture! And to the pang of a friend disgracing herself
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4360	and sunk in her esteem, was added the distressing conviction that it
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4361	was impossible for that friend to be tolerably happy in the lot she had
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4362	chosen.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4363
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4364
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4365
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4366	Chapter 23
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4367
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4368
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4369	Elizabeth was sitting with her mother and sisters, reflecting on what
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4370	she had heard, and doubting whether she was authorised to mention
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4371	it, when Sir William Lucas himself appeared, sent by his daughter, to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4372	announce her engagement to the family. With many compliments to them,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4373	and much self-gratulation on the prospect of a connection between the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4374	houses, he unfolded the matter--to an audience not merely wondering, but
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4375	incredulous; for Mrs. Bennet, with more perseverance than politeness,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4376	protested he must be entirely mistaken; and Lydia, always unguarded and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4377	often uncivil, boisterously exclaimed:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4378
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4379	“Good Lord! Sir William, how can you tell such a story? Do not you know
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4380	that Mr. Collins wants to marry Lizzy?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4381
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4382	Nothing less than the complaisance of a courtier could have borne
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4383	without anger such treatment; but Sir William’s good breeding carried
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4384	him through it all; and though he begged leave to be positive as to the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4385	truth of his information, he listened to all their impertinence with the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4386	most forbearing courtesy.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4387
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4388	Elizabeth, feeling it incumbent on her to relieve him from so unpleasant
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4389	a situation, now put herself forward to confirm his account, by
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4390	mentioning her prior knowledge of it from Charlotte herself; and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4391	endeavoured to put a stop to the exclamations of her mother and sisters
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4392	by the earnestness of her congratulations to Sir William, in which she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4393	was readily joined by Jane, and by making a variety of remarks on the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4394	happiness that might be expected from the match, the excellent character
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4395	of Mr. Collins, and the convenient distance of Hunsford from London.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4396
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4397	Mrs. Bennet was in fact too much overpowered to say a great deal while
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4398	Sir William remained; but no sooner had he left them than her feelings
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4399	found a rapid vent. In the first place, she persisted in disbelieving
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4400	the whole of the matter; secondly, she was very sure that Mr. Collins
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4401	had been taken in; thirdly, she trusted that they would never be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4402	happy together; and fourthly, that the match might be broken off. Two
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4403	inferences, however, were plainly deduced from the whole: one, that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4404	Elizabeth was the real cause of the mischief; and the other that she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4405	herself had been barbarously misused by them all; and on these two
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4406	points she principally dwelt during the rest of the day. Nothing could
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4407	console and nothing could appease her. Nor did that day wear out her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4408	resentment. A week elapsed before she could see Elizabeth without
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4409	scolding her, a month passed away before she could speak to Sir William
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4410	or Lady Lucas without being rude, and many months were gone before she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4411	could at all forgive their daughter.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4412
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4413	Mr. Bennet’s emotions were much more tranquil on the occasion, and such
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4414	as he did experience he pronounced to be of a most agreeable sort; for
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4415	it gratified him, he said, to discover that Charlotte Lucas, whom he had
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4416	been used to think tolerably sensible, was as foolish as his wife, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4417	more foolish than his daughter!
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4418
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4419	Jane confessed herself a little surprised at the match; but she said
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4420	less of her astonishment than of her earnest desire for their happiness;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4421	nor could Elizabeth persuade her to consider it as improbable. Kitty
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4422	and Lydia were far from envying Miss Lucas, for Mr. Collins was only a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4423	clergyman; and it affected them in no other way than as a piece of news
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4424	to spread at Meryton.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4425
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4426	Lady Lucas could not be insensible of triumph on being able to retort
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4427	on Mrs. Bennet the comfort of having a daughter well married; and she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4428	called at Longbourn rather oftener than usual to say how happy she was,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4429	though Mrs. Bennet’s sour looks and ill-natured remarks might have been
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4430	enough to drive happiness away.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4431
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4432	Between Elizabeth and Charlotte there was a restraint which kept them
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4433	mutually silent on the subject; and Elizabeth felt persuaded that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4434	no real confidence could ever subsist between them again. Her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4435	disappointment in Charlotte made her turn with fonder regard to her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4436	sister, of whose rectitude and delicacy she was sure her opinion could
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4437	never be shaken, and for whose happiness she grew daily more anxious,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4438	as Bingley had now been gone a week and nothing more was heard of his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4439	return.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4440
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4441	Jane had sent Caroline an early answer to her letter, and was counting
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4442	the days till she might reasonably hope to hear again. The promised
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4443	letter of thanks from Mr. Collins arrived on Tuesday, addressed to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4444	their father, and written with all the solemnity of gratitude which a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4445	twelvemonth’s abode in the family might have prompted. After discharging
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4446	his conscience on that head, he proceeded to inform them, with many
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4447	rapturous expressions, of his happiness in having obtained the affection
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4448	of their amiable neighbour, Miss Lucas, and then explained that it was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4449	merely with the view of enjoying her society that he had been so ready
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4450	to close with their kind wish of seeing him again at Longbourn, whither
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4451	he hoped to be able to return on Monday fortnight; for Lady Catherine,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4452	he added, so heartily approved his marriage, that she wished it to take
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4453	place as soon as possible, which he trusted would be an unanswerable
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4454	argument with his amiable Charlotte to name an early day for making him
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4455	the happiest of men.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4456
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4457	Mr. Collins’s return into Hertfordshire was no longer a matter of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4458	pleasure to Mrs. Bennet. On the contrary, she was as much disposed to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4459	complain of it as her husband. It was very strange that he should come
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4460	to Longbourn instead of to Lucas Lodge; it was also very inconvenient
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4461	and exceedingly troublesome. She hated having visitors in the house
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4462	while her health was so indifferent, and lovers were of all people the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4463	most disagreeable. Such were the gentle murmurs of Mrs. Bennet, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4464	they gave way only to the greater distress of Mr. Bingley’s continued
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4465	absence.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4466
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4467	Neither Jane nor Elizabeth were comfortable on this subject. Day after
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4468	day passed away without bringing any other tidings of him than the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4469	report which shortly prevailed in Meryton of his coming no more to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4470	Netherfield the whole winter; a report which highly incensed Mrs.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4471	Bennet, and which she never failed to contradict as a most scandalous
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4472	falsehood.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4473
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4474	Even Elizabeth began to fear--not that Bingley was indifferent--but that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4475	his sisters would be successful in keeping him away. Unwilling as
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4476	she was to admit an idea so destructive of Jane’s happiness, and so
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4477	dishonorable to the stability of her lover, she could not prevent its
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4478	frequently occurring. The united efforts of his two unfeeling sisters
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4479	and of his overpowering friend, assisted by the attractions of Miss
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4480	Darcy and the amusements of London might be too much, she feared, for
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4481	the strength of his attachment.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4482
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4483	As for Jane, _her_ anxiety under this suspense was, of course, more
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4484	painful than Elizabeth’s, but whatever she felt she was desirous of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4485	concealing, and between herself and Elizabeth, therefore, the subject
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4486	was never alluded to. But as no such delicacy restrained her mother,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4487	an hour seldom passed in which she did not talk of Bingley, express her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4488	impatience for his arrival, or even require Jane to confess that if he
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4489	did not come back she would think herself very ill used. It needed
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4490	all Jane’s steady mildness to bear these attacks with tolerable
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4491	tranquillity.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4492
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4493	Mr. Collins returned most punctually on Monday fortnight, but his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4494	reception at Longbourn was not quite so gracious as it had been on his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4495	first introduction. He was too happy, however, to need much attention;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4496	and luckily for the others, the business of love-making relieved them
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4497	from a great deal of his company. The chief of every day was spent by
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4498	him at Lucas Lodge, and he sometimes returned to Longbourn only in time
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4499	to make an apology for his absence before the family went to bed.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4500
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4501	Mrs. Bennet was really in a most pitiable state. The very mention of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4502	anything concerning the match threw her into an agony of ill-humour,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4503	and wherever she went she was sure of hearing it talked of. The sight
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4504	of Miss Lucas was odious to her. As her successor in that house, she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4505	regarded her with jealous abhorrence. Whenever Charlotte came to see
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4506	them, she concluded her to be anticipating the hour of possession; and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4507	whenever she spoke in a low voice to Mr. Collins, was convinced that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4508	they were talking of the Longbourn estate, and resolving to turn herself
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4509	and her daughters out of the house, as soon as Mr. Bennet were dead. She
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4510	complained bitterly of all this to her husband.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4511
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4512	“Indeed, Mr. Bennet,” said she, “it is very hard to think that Charlotte
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4513	Lucas should ever be mistress of this house, that I should be forced to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4514	make way for _her_, and live to see her take her place in it!”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4515
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4516	“My dear, do not give way to such gloomy thoughts. Let us hope for
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4517	better things. Let us flatter ourselves that I may be the survivor.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4518
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4519	This was not very consoling to Mrs. Bennet, and therefore, instead of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4520	making any answer, she went on as before.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4521
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4522	“I cannot bear to think that they should have all this estate. If it was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4523	not for the entail, I should not mind it.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4524
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4525	“What should not you mind?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4526
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4527	“I should not mind anything at all.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4528
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4529	“Let us be thankful that you are preserved from a state of such
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4530	insensibility.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4531
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4532	“I never can be thankful, Mr. Bennet, for anything about the entail. How
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4533	anyone could have the conscience to entail away an estate from one’s own
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4534	daughters, I cannot understand; and all for the sake of Mr. Collins too!
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4535	Why should _he_ have it more than anybody else?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4536
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4537	“I leave it to yourself to determine,” said Mr. Bennet.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4538
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4539
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4540
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4541	Chapter 24
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4542
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4543
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4544	Miss Bingley’s letter arrived, and put an end to doubt. The very first
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4545	sentence conveyed the assurance of their being all settled in London for
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4546	the winter, and concluded with her brother’s regret at not having had
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4547	time to pay his respects to his friends in Hertfordshire before he left
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4548	the country.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4549
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4550	Hope was over, entirely over; and when Jane could attend to the rest
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4551	of the letter, she found little, except the professed affection of the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4552	writer, that could give her any comfort. Miss Darcy’s praise occupied
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4553	the chief of it. Her many attractions were again dwelt on, and Caroline
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4554	boasted joyfully of their increasing intimacy, and ventured to predict
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4555	the accomplishment of the wishes which had been unfolded in her former
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4556	letter. She wrote also with great pleasure of her brother’s being an
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4557	inmate of Mr. Darcy’s house, and mentioned with raptures some plans of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4558	the latter with regard to new furniture.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4559
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4560	Elizabeth, to whom Jane very soon communicated the chief of all this,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4561	heard it in silent indignation. Her heart was divided between concern
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4562	for her sister, and resentment against all others. To Caroline’s
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4563	assertion of her brother’s being partial to Miss Darcy she paid no
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4564	credit. That he was really fond of Jane, she doubted no more than she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4565	had ever done; and much as she had always been disposed to like him, she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4566	could not think without anger, hardly without contempt, on that easiness
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4567	of temper, that want of proper resolution, which now made him the slave
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4568	of his designing friends, and led him to sacrifice of his own happiness
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4569	to the caprice of their inclination. Had his own happiness, however,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4570	been the only sacrifice, he might have been allowed to sport with it in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4571	whatever manner he thought best, but her sister’s was involved in it, as
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4572	she thought he must be sensible himself. It was a subject, in short,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4573	on which reflection would be long indulged, and must be unavailing. She
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4574	could think of nothing else; and yet whether Bingley’s regard had really
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4575	died away, or were suppressed by his friends’ interference; whether
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4576	he had been aware of Jane’s attachment, or whether it had escaped his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4577	observation; whatever were the case, though her opinion of him must be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4578	materially affected by the difference, her sister’s situation remained
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4579	the same, her peace equally wounded.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4580
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4581	A day or two passed before Jane had courage to speak of her feelings to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4582	Elizabeth; but at last, on Mrs. Bennet’s leaving them together, after a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4583	longer irritation than usual about Netherfield and its master, she could
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4584	not help saying:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4585
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4586	“Oh, that my dear mother had more command over herself! She can have no
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4587	idea of the pain she gives me by her continual reflections on him. But
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4588	I will not repine. It cannot last long. He will be forgot, and we shall
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4589	all be as we were before.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4590
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4591	Elizabeth looked at her sister with incredulous solicitude, but said
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4592	nothing.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4593
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4594	“You doubt me,” cried Jane, slightly colouring; “indeed, you have
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4595	no reason. He may live in my memory as the most amiable man of my
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4596	acquaintance, but that is all. I have nothing either to hope or fear,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4597	and nothing to reproach him with. Thank God! I have not _that_ pain. A
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4598	little time, therefore--I shall certainly try to get the better.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4599
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4600	With a stronger voice she soon added, “I have this comfort immediately,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4601	that it has not been more than an error of fancy on my side, and that it
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4602	has done no harm to anyone but myself.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4603
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4604	“My dear Jane!” exclaimed Elizabeth, “you are too good. Your sweetness
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4605	and disinterestedness are really angelic; I do not know what to say
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4606	to you. I feel as if I had never done you justice, or loved you as you
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4607	deserve.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4608
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4609	Miss Bennet eagerly disclaimed all extraordinary merit, and threw back
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4610	the praise on her sister’s warm affection.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4611
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4612	“Nay,” said Elizabeth, “this is not fair. _You_ wish to think all the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4613	world respectable, and are hurt if I speak ill of anybody. I only want
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4614	to think _you_ perfect, and you set yourself against it. Do not
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4615	be afraid of my running into any excess, of my encroaching on your
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4616	privilege of universal good-will. You need not. There are few people
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4617	whom I really love, and still fewer of whom I think well. The more I see
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4618	of the world, the more am I dissatisfied with it; and every day confirms
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4619	my belief of the inconsistency of all human characters, and of the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4620	little dependence that can be placed on the appearance of merit or
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4621	sense. I have met with two instances lately, one I will not mention; the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4622	other is Charlotte’s marriage. It is unaccountable! In every view it is
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4623	unaccountable!”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4624
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4625	“My dear Lizzy, do not give way to such feelings as these. They will
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4626	ruin your happiness. You do not make allowance enough for difference
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4627	of situation and temper. Consider Mr. Collins’s respectability, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4628	Charlotte’s steady, prudent character. Remember that she is one of a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4629	large family; that as to fortune, it is a most eligible match; and be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4630	ready to believe, for everybody’s sake, that she may feel something like
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4631	regard and esteem for our cousin.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4632
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4633	“To oblige you, I would try to believe almost anything, but no one else
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4634	could be benefited by such a belief as this; for were I persuaded that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4635	Charlotte had any regard for him, I should only think worse of her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4636	understanding than I now do of her heart. My dear Jane, Mr. Collins is a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4637	conceited, pompous, narrow-minded, silly man; you know he is, as well as
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4638	I do; and you must feel, as well as I do, that the woman who married him
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4639	cannot have a proper way of thinking. You shall not defend her, though
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4640	it is Charlotte Lucas. You shall not, for the sake of one individual,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4641	change the meaning of principle and integrity, nor endeavour to persuade
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4642	yourself or me, that selfishness is prudence, and insensibility of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4643	danger security for happiness.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4644
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4645	“I must think your language too strong in speaking of both,” replied
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4646	Jane; “and I hope you will be convinced of it by seeing them happy
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4647	together. But enough of this. You alluded to something else. You
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4648	mentioned _two_ instances. I cannot misunderstand you, but I entreat
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4649	you, dear Lizzy, not to pain me by thinking _that person_ to blame, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4650	saying your opinion of him is sunk. We must not be so ready to fancy
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4651	ourselves intentionally injured. We must not expect a lively young man
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4652	to be always so guarded and circumspect. It is very often nothing but
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4653	our own vanity that deceives us. Women fancy admiration means more than
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4654	it does.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4655
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4656	“And men take care that they should.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4657
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4658	“If it is designedly done, they cannot be justified; but I have no idea
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4659	of there being so much design in the world as some persons imagine.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4660
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4661	“I am far from attributing any part of Mr. Bingley’s conduct to design,”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4662	said Elizabeth; “but without scheming to do wrong, or to make others
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4663	unhappy, there may be error, and there may be misery. Thoughtlessness,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4664	want of attention to other people’s feelings, and want of resolution,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4665	will do the business.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4666
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4667	“And do you impute it to either of those?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4668
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4669	“Yes; to the last. But if I go on, I shall displease you by saying what
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4670	I think of persons you esteem. Stop me whilst you can.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4671
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4672	“You persist, then, in supposing his sisters influence him?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4673
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4674	“Yes, in conjunction with his friend.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4675
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4676	“I cannot believe it. Why should they try to influence him? They can
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4677	only wish his happiness; and if he is attached to me, no other woman can
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4678	secure it.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4679
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4680	“Your first position is false. They may wish many things besides his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4681	happiness; they may wish his increase of wealth and consequence; they
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4682	may wish him to marry a girl who has all the importance of money, great
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4683	connections, and pride.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4684
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4685	“Beyond a doubt, they _do_ wish him to choose Miss Darcy,” replied Jane;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4686	“but this may be from better feelings than you are supposing. They have
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4687	known her much longer than they have known me; no wonder if they love
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4688	her better. But, whatever may be their own wishes, it is very unlikely
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4689	they should have opposed their brother’s. What sister would think
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4690	herself at liberty to do it, unless there were something very
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4691	objectionable? If they believed him attached to me, they would not try
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4692	to part us; if he were so, they could not succeed. By supposing such an
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4693	affection, you make everybody acting unnaturally and wrong, and me most
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4694	unhappy. Do not distress me by the idea. I am not ashamed of having been
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4695	mistaken--or, at least, it is light, it is nothing in comparison of what
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4696	I should feel in thinking ill of him or his sisters. Let me take it in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4697	the best light, in the light in which it may be understood.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4698
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4699	Elizabeth could not oppose such a wish; and from this time Mr. Bingley’s
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4700	name was scarcely ever mentioned between them.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4701
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4702	Mrs. Bennet still continued to wonder and repine at his returning no
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4703	more, and though a day seldom passed in which Elizabeth did not account
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4704	for it clearly, there was little chance of her ever considering it with
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4705	less perplexity. Her daughter endeavoured to convince her of what she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4706	did not believe herself, that his attentions to Jane had been merely the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4707	effect of a common and transient liking, which ceased when he saw her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4708	no more; but though the probability of the statement was admitted at
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4709	the time, she had the same story to repeat every day. Mrs. Bennet’s best
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4710	comfort was that Mr. Bingley must be down again in the summer.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4711
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4712	Mr. Bennet treated the matter differently. “So, Lizzy,” said he one day,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4713	“your sister is crossed in love, I find. I congratulate her. Next to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4714	being married, a girl likes to be crossed a little in love now and then.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4715	It is something to think of, and it gives her a sort of distinction
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4716	among her companions. When is your turn to come? You will hardly bear to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4717	be long outdone by Jane. Now is your time. Here are officers enough in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4718	Meryton to disappoint all the young ladies in the country. Let Wickham
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4719	be _your_ man. He is a pleasant fellow, and would jilt you creditably.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4720
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4721	“Thank you, sir, but a less agreeable man would satisfy me. We must not
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4722	all expect Jane’s good fortune.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4723
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4724	“True,” said Mr. Bennet, “but it is a comfort to think that whatever of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4725	that kind may befall you, you have an affectionate mother who will make
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4726	the most of it.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4727
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4728	Mr. Wickham’s society was of material service in dispelling the gloom
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4729	which the late perverse occurrences had thrown on many of the Longbourn
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4730	family. They saw him often, and to his other recommendations was now
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4731	added that of general unreserve. The whole of what Elizabeth had already
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4732	heard, his claims on Mr. Darcy, and all that he had suffered from him,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4733	was now openly acknowledged and publicly canvassed; and everybody was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4734	pleased to know how much they had always disliked Mr. Darcy before they
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4735	had known anything of the matter.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4736
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4737	Miss Bennet was the only creature who could suppose there might be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4738	any extenuating circumstances in the case, unknown to the society
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4739	of Hertfordshire; her mild and steady candour always pleaded for
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4740	allowances, and urged the possibility of mistakes--but by everybody else
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4741	Mr. Darcy was condemned as the worst of men.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4742
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4743
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4744
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4745	Chapter 25
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4746
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4747
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4748	After a week spent in professions of love and schemes of felicity,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4749	Mr. Collins was called from his amiable Charlotte by the arrival of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4750	Saturday. The pain of separation, however, might be alleviated on his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4751	side, by preparations for the reception of his bride; as he had reason
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4752	to hope, that shortly after his return into Hertfordshire, the day would
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4753	be fixed that was to make him the happiest of men. He took leave of his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4754	relations at Longbourn with as much solemnity as before; wished his fair
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4755	cousins health and happiness again, and promised their father another
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4756	letter of thanks.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4757
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4758	On the following Monday, Mrs. Bennet had the pleasure of receiving
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4759	her brother and his wife, who came as usual to spend the Christmas
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4760	at Longbourn. Mr. Gardiner was a sensible, gentlemanlike man, greatly
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4761	superior to his sister, as well by nature as education. The Netherfield
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4762	ladies would have had difficulty in believing that a man who lived
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4763	by trade, and within view of his own warehouses, could have been so
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4764	well-bred and agreeable. Mrs. Gardiner, who was several years younger
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4765	than Mrs. Bennet and Mrs. Phillips, was an amiable, intelligent, elegant
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4766	woman, and a great favourite with all her Longbourn nieces. Between the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4767	two eldest and herself especially, there subsisted a particular regard.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4768	They had frequently been staying with her in town.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4769
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4770	The first part of Mrs. Gardiner’s business on her arrival was to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4771	distribute her presents and describe the newest fashions. When this was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4772	done she had a less active part to play. It became her turn to listen.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4773	Mrs. Bennet had many grievances to relate, and much to complain of. They
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4774	had all been very ill-used since she last saw her sister. Two of her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4775	girls had been upon the point of marriage, and after all there was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4776	nothing in it.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4777
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4778	“I do not blame Jane,” she continued, “for Jane would have got Mr.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4779	Bingley if she could. But Lizzy! Oh, sister! It is very hard to think
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4780	that she might have been Mr. Collins’s wife by this time, had it not
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4781	been for her own perverseness. He made her an offer in this very room,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4782	and she refused him. The consequence of it is, that Lady Lucas will have
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4783	a daughter married before I have, and that the Longbourn estate is just
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4784	as much entailed as ever. The Lucases are very artful people indeed,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4785	sister. They are all for what they can get. I am sorry to say it of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4786	them, but so it is. It makes me very nervous and poorly, to be thwarted
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4787	so in my own family, and to have neighbours who think of themselves
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4788	before anybody else. However, your coming just at this time is the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4789	greatest of comforts, and I am very glad to hear what you tell us, of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4790	long sleeves.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4791
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4792	Mrs. Gardiner, to whom the chief of this news had been given before,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4793	in the course of Jane and Elizabeth’s correspondence with her, made her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4794	sister a slight answer, and, in compassion to her nieces, turned the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4795	conversation.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4796
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4797	When alone with Elizabeth afterwards, she spoke more on the subject. “It
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4798	seems likely to have been a desirable match for Jane,” said she. “I am
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4799	sorry it went off. But these things happen so often! A young man, such
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4800	as you describe Mr. Bingley, so easily falls in love with a pretty girl
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4801	for a few weeks, and when accident separates them, so easily forgets
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4802	her, that these sort of inconsistencies are very frequent.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4803
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4804	“An excellent consolation in its way,” said Elizabeth, “but it will not
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4805	do for _us_. We do not suffer by _accident_. It does not often
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4806	happen that the interference of friends will persuade a young man of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4807	independent fortune to think no more of a girl whom he was violently in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4808	love with only a few days before.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4809
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4810	“But that expression of ‘violently in love’ is so hackneyed, so
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4811	doubtful, so indefinite, that it gives me very little idea. It is as
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4812	often applied to feelings which arise from a half-hour’s acquaintance,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4813	as to a real, strong attachment. Pray, how _violent was_ Mr. Bingley’s
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4814	love?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4815
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4816	“I never saw a more promising inclination; he was growing quite
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4817	inattentive to other people, and wholly engrossed by her. Every time
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4818	they met, it was more decided and remarkable. At his own ball he
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4819	offended two or three young ladies, by not asking them to dance; and I
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4820	spoke to him twice myself, without receiving an answer. Could there be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4821	finer symptoms? Is not general incivility the very essence of love?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4822
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4823	“Oh, yes!--of that kind of love which I suppose him to have felt. Poor
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4824	Jane! I am sorry for her, because, with her disposition, she may not get
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4825	over it immediately. It had better have happened to _you_, Lizzy; you
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4826	would have laughed yourself out of it sooner. But do you think she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4827	would be prevailed upon to go back with us? Change of scene might be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4828	of service--and perhaps a little relief from home may be as useful as
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4829	anything.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4830
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4831	Elizabeth was exceedingly pleased with this proposal, and felt persuaded
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4832	of her sister’s ready acquiescence.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4833
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4834	“I hope,” added Mrs. Gardiner, “that no consideration with regard to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4835	this young man will influence her. We live in so different a part of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4836	town, all our connections are so different, and, as you well know, we go
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4837	out so little, that it is very improbable that they should meet at all,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4838	unless he really comes to see her.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4839
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4840	“And _that_ is quite impossible; for he is now in the custody of his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4841	friend, and Mr. Darcy would no more suffer him to call on Jane in such
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4842	a part of London! My dear aunt, how could you think of it? Mr. Darcy may
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4843	perhaps have _heard_ of such a place as Gracechurch Street, but he
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4844	would hardly think a month’s ablution enough to cleanse him from its
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4845	impurities, were he once to enter it; and depend upon it, Mr. Bingley
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4846	never stirs without him.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4847
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4848	“So much the better. I hope they will not meet at all. But does not Jane
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4849	correspond with his sister? _She_ will not be able to help calling.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4850
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4851	“She will drop the acquaintance entirely.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4852
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4853	But in spite of the certainty in which Elizabeth affected to place this
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4854	point, as well as the still more interesting one of Bingley’s being
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4855	withheld from seeing Jane, she felt a solicitude on the subject which
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4856	convinced her, on examination, that she did not consider it entirely
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4857	hopeless. It was possible, and sometimes she thought it probable, that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4858	his affection might be reanimated, and the influence of his friends
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4859	successfully combated by the more natural influence of Jane’s
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4860	attractions.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4861
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4862	Miss Bennet accepted her aunt’s invitation with pleasure; and the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4863	Bingleys were no otherwise in her thoughts at the same time, than as she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4864	hoped by Caroline’s not living in the same house with her brother,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4865	she might occasionally spend a morning with her, without any danger of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4866	seeing him.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4867
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4868	The Gardiners stayed a week at Longbourn; and what with the Phillipses,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4869	the Lucases, and the officers, there was not a day without its
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4870	engagement. Mrs. Bennet had so carefully provided for the entertainment
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4871	of her brother and sister, that they did not once sit down to a family
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4872	dinner. When the engagement was for home, some of the officers always
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4873	made part of it--of which officers Mr. Wickham was sure to be one; and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4874	on these occasions, Mrs. Gardiner, rendered suspicious by Elizabeth’s
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4875	warm commendation, narrowly observed them both. Without supposing them,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4876	from what she saw, to be very seriously in love, their preference
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4877	of each other was plain enough to make her a little uneasy; and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4878	she resolved to speak to Elizabeth on the subject before she left
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4879	Hertfordshire, and represent to her the imprudence of encouraging such
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4880	an attachment.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4881
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4882	To Mrs. Gardiner, Wickham had one means of affording pleasure,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4883	unconnected with his general powers. About ten or a dozen years ago,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4884	before her marriage, she had spent a considerable time in that very
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4885	part of Derbyshire to which he belonged. They had, therefore, many
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4886	acquaintances in common; and though Wickham had been little there since
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4887	the death of Darcy’s father, it was yet in his power to give her fresher
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4888	intelligence of her former friends than she had been in the way of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4889	procuring.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4890
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4891	Mrs. Gardiner had seen Pemberley, and known the late Mr. Darcy by
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4892	character perfectly well. Here consequently was an inexhaustible subject
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4893	of discourse. In comparing her recollection of Pemberley with the minute
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4894	description which Wickham could give, and in bestowing her tribute of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4895	praise on the character of its late possessor, she was delighting both
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4896	him and herself. On being made acquainted with the present Mr. Darcy’s
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4897	treatment of him, she tried to remember some of that gentleman’s
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4898	reputed disposition when quite a lad which might agree with it, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4899	was confident at last that she recollected having heard Mr. Fitzwilliam
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4900	Darcy formerly spoken of as a very proud, ill-natured boy.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4901
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4902
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4903
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4904	Chapter 26
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4905
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4906
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4907	Mrs. Gardiner’s caution to Elizabeth was punctually and kindly given
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4908	on the first favourable opportunity of speaking to her alone; after
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4909	honestly telling her what she thought, she thus went on:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4910
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4911	“You are too sensible a girl, Lizzy, to fall in love merely because
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4912	you are warned against it; and, therefore, I am not afraid of speaking
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4913	openly. Seriously, I would have you be on your guard. Do not involve
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4914	yourself or endeavour to involve him in an affection which the want
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4915	of fortune would make so very imprudent. I have nothing to say against
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4916	_him_; he is a most interesting young man; and if he had the fortune he
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4917	ought to have, I should think you could not do better. But as it is, you
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4918	must not let your fancy run away with you. You have sense, and we all
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4919	expect you to use it. Your father would depend on _your_ resolution and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4920	good conduct, I am sure. You must not disappoint your father.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4921
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4922	“My dear aunt, this is being serious indeed.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4923
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4924	“Yes, and I hope to engage you to be serious likewise.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4925
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4926	“Well, then, you need not be under any alarm. I will take care of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4927	myself, and of Mr. Wickham too. He shall not be in love with me, if I
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4928	can prevent it.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4929
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4930	“Elizabeth, you are not serious now.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4931
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4932	“I beg your pardon, I will try again. At present I am not in love with
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4933	Mr. Wickham; no, I certainly am not. But he is, beyond all comparison,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4934	the most agreeable man I ever saw--and if he becomes really attached to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4935	me--I believe it will be better that he should not. I see the imprudence
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4936	of it. Oh! _that_ abominable Mr. Darcy! My father’s opinion of me does
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4937	me the greatest honour, and I should be miserable to forfeit it. My
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4938	father, however, is partial to Mr. Wickham. In short, my dear aunt, I
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4939	should be very sorry to be the means of making any of you unhappy; but
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4940	since we see every day that where there is affection, young people
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4941	are seldom withheld by immediate want of fortune from entering into
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4942	engagements with each other, how can I promise to be wiser than so many
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4943	of my fellow-creatures if I am tempted, or how am I even to know that it
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4944	would be wisdom to resist? All that I can promise you, therefore, is not
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4945	to be in a hurry. I will not be in a hurry to believe myself his first
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4946	object. When I am in company with him, I will not be wishing. In short,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4947	I will do my best.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4948
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4949	“Perhaps it will be as well if you discourage his coming here so very
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4950	often. At least, you should not _remind_ your mother of inviting him.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4951
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4952	“As I did the other day,” said Elizabeth with a conscious smile: “very
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4953	true, it will be wise in me to refrain from _that_. But do not imagine
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4954	that he is always here so often. It is on your account that he has been
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4955	so frequently invited this week. You know my mother’s ideas as to the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4956	necessity of constant company for her friends. But really, and upon my
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4957	honour, I will try to do what I think to be the wisest; and now I hope
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4958	you are satisfied.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4959
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4960	Her aunt assured her that she was, and Elizabeth having thanked her for
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4961	the kindness of her hints, they parted; a wonderful instance of advice
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4962	being given on such a point, without being resented.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4963
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4964	Mr. Collins returned into Hertfordshire soon after it had been quitted
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4965	by the Gardiners and Jane; but as he took up his abode with the Lucases,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4966	his arrival was no great inconvenience to Mrs. Bennet. His marriage was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4967	now fast approaching, and she was at length so far resigned as to think
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4968	it inevitable, and even repeatedly to say, in an ill-natured tone, that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4969	she “_wished_ they might be happy.” Thursday was to be the wedding day,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4970	and on Wednesday Miss Lucas paid her farewell visit; and when she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4971	rose to take leave, Elizabeth, ashamed of her mother’s ungracious and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4972	reluctant good wishes, and sincerely affected herself, accompanied her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4973	out of the room. As they went downstairs together, Charlotte said:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4974
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4975	“I shall depend on hearing from you very often, Eliza.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4976
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4977	“_That_ you certainly shall.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4978
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4979	“And I have another favour to ask you. Will you come and see me?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4980
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4981	“We shall often meet, I hope, in Hertfordshire.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4982
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4983	“I am not likely to leave Kent for some time. Promise me, therefore, to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4984	come to Hunsford.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4985
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4986	Elizabeth could not refuse, though she foresaw little pleasure in the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4987	visit.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4988
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4989	“My father and Maria are coming to me in March,” added Charlotte, “and I
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4990	hope you will consent to be of the party. Indeed, Eliza, you will be as
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4991	welcome as either of them.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4992
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4993	The wedding took place; the bride and bridegroom set off for Kent from
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4994	the church door, and everybody had as much to say, or to hear, on
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4995	the subject as usual. Elizabeth soon heard from her friend; and their
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4996	correspondence was as regular and frequent as it had ever been; that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4997	it should be equally unreserved was impossible. Elizabeth could never
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4998	address her without feeling that all the comfort of intimacy was over,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	4999	and though determined not to slacken as a correspondent, it was for the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5000	sake of what had been, rather than what was. Charlotte’s first letters
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5001	were received with a good deal of eagerness; there could not but be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5002	curiosity to know how she would speak of her new home, how she would
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5003	like Lady Catherine, and how happy she would dare pronounce herself to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5004	be; though, when the letters were read, Elizabeth felt that Charlotte
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5005	expressed herself on every point exactly as she might have foreseen. She
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5006	wrote cheerfully, seemed surrounded with comforts, and mentioned nothing
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5007	which she could not praise. The house, furniture, neighbourhood, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5008	roads, were all to her taste, and Lady Catherine’s behaviour was most
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5009	friendly and obliging. It was Mr. Collins’s picture of Hunsford and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5010	Rosings rationally softened; and Elizabeth perceived that she must wait
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5011	for her own visit there to know the rest.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5012
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5013	Jane had already written a few lines to her sister to announce their
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5014	safe arrival in London; and when she wrote again, Elizabeth hoped it
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5015	would be in her power to say something of the Bingleys.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5016
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5017	Her impatience for this second letter was as well rewarded as impatience
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5018	generally is. Jane had been a week in town without either seeing or
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5019	hearing from Caroline. She accounted for it, however, by supposing that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5020	her last letter to her friend from Longbourn had by some accident been
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5021	lost.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5022
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5023	“My aunt,” she continued, “is going to-morrow into that part of the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5024	town, and I shall take the opportunity of calling in Grosvenor Street.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5025
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5026	She wrote again when the visit was paid, and she had seen Miss Bingley.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5027	“I did not think Caroline in spirits,” were her words, “but she was very
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5028	glad to see me, and reproached me for giving her no notice of my coming
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5029	to London. I was right, therefore, my last letter had never reached
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5030	her. I inquired after their brother, of course. He was well, but so much
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5031	engaged with Mr. Darcy that they scarcely ever saw him. I found that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5032	Miss Darcy was expected to dinner. I wish I could see her. My visit was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5033	not long, as Caroline and Mrs. Hurst were going out. I dare say I shall
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5034	see them soon here.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5035
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5036	Elizabeth shook her head over this letter. It convinced her that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5037	accident only could discover to Mr. Bingley her sister’s being in town.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5038
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5039	Four weeks passed away, and Jane saw nothing of him. She endeavoured to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5040	persuade herself that she did not regret it; but she could no longer be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5041	blind to Miss Bingley’s inattention. After waiting at home every morning
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5042	for a fortnight, and inventing every evening a fresh excuse for her, the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5043	visitor did at last appear; but the shortness of her stay, and yet more,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5044	the alteration of her manner would allow Jane to deceive herself no
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5045	longer. The letter which she wrote on this occasion to her sister will
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5046	prove what she felt.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5047
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5048	“My dearest Lizzy will, I am sure, be incapable of triumphing in her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5049	better judgement, at my expense, when I confess myself to have been
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5050	entirely deceived in Miss Bingley’s regard for me. But, my dear sister,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5051	though the event has proved you right, do not think me obstinate if I
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5052	still assert that, considering what her behaviour was, my confidence was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5053	as natural as your suspicion. I do not at all comprehend her reason for
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5054	wishing to be intimate with me; but if the same circumstances were to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5055	happen again, I am sure I should be deceived again. Caroline did not
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5056	return my visit till yesterday; and not a note, not a line, did I
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5057	receive in the meantime. When she did come, it was very evident that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5058	she had no pleasure in it; she made a slight, formal apology, for not
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5059	calling before, said not a word of wishing to see me again, and was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5060	in every respect so altered a creature, that when she went away I was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5061	perfectly resolved to continue the acquaintance no longer. I pity,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5062	though I cannot help blaming her. She was very wrong in singling me out
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5063	as she did; I can safely say that every advance to intimacy began on
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5064	her side. But I pity her, because she must feel that she has been acting
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5065	wrong, and because I am very sure that anxiety for her brother is the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5066	cause of it. I need not explain myself farther; and though _we_ know
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5067	this anxiety to be quite needless, yet if she feels it, it will easily
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5068	account for her behaviour to me; and so deservedly dear as he is to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5069	his sister, whatever anxiety she must feel on his behalf is natural and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5070	amiable. I cannot but wonder, however, at her having any such fears now,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5071	because, if he had at all cared about me, we must have met, long ago.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5072	He knows of my being in town, I am certain, from something she said
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5073	herself; and yet it would seem, by her manner of talking, as if she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5074	wanted to persuade herself that he is really partial to Miss Darcy. I
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5075	cannot understand it. If I were not afraid of judging harshly, I should
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5076	be almost tempted to say that there is a strong appearance of duplicity
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5077	in all this. But I will endeavour to banish every painful thought,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5078	and think only of what will make me happy--your affection, and the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5079	invariable kindness of my dear uncle and aunt. Let me hear from you very
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5080	soon. Miss Bingley said something of his never returning to Netherfield
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5081	again, of giving up the house, but not with any certainty. We had better
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5082	not mention it. I am extremely glad that you have such pleasant accounts
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5083	from our friends at Hunsford. Pray go to see them, with Sir William and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5084	Maria. I am sure you will be very comfortable there.--Yours, etc.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5085
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5086	This letter gave Elizabeth some pain; but her spirits returned as she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5087	considered that Jane would no longer be duped, by the sister at least.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5088	All expectation from the brother was now absolutely over. She would not
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5089	even wish for a renewal of his attentions. His character sunk on
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5090	every review of it; and as a punishment for him, as well as a possible
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5091	advantage to Jane, she seriously hoped he might really soon marry Mr.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5092	Darcy’s sister, as by Wickham’s account, she would make him abundantly
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5093	regret what he had thrown away.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5094
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5095	Mrs. Gardiner about this time reminded Elizabeth of her promise
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5096	concerning that gentleman, and required information; and Elizabeth
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5097	had such to send as might rather give contentment to her aunt than to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5098	herself. His apparent partiality had subsided, his attentions were over,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5099	he was the admirer of some one else. Elizabeth was watchful enough to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5100	see it all, but she could see it and write of it without material pain.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5101	Her heart had been but slightly touched, and her vanity was satisfied
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5102	with believing that _she_ would have been his only choice, had fortune
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5103	permitted it. The sudden acquisition of ten thousand pounds was the most
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5104	remarkable charm of the young lady to whom he was now rendering himself
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5105	agreeable; but Elizabeth, less clear-sighted perhaps in this case than
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5106	in Charlotte’s, did not quarrel with him for his wish of independence.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5107	Nothing, on the contrary, could be more natural; and while able to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5108	suppose that it cost him a few struggles to relinquish her, she was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5109	ready to allow it a wise and desirable measure for both, and could very
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5110	sincerely wish him happy.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5111
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5112	All this was acknowledged to Mrs. Gardiner; and after relating the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5113	circumstances, she thus went on: “I am now convinced, my dear aunt, that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5114	I have never been much in love; for had I really experienced that pure
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5115	and elevating passion, I should at present detest his very name, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5116	wish him all manner of evil. But my feelings are not only cordial
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5117	towards _him_; they are even impartial towards Miss King. I cannot find
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5118	out that I hate her at all, or that I am in the least unwilling to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5119	think her a very good sort of girl. There can be no love in all this. My
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5120	watchfulness has been effectual; and though I certainly should be a more
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5121	interesting object to all my acquaintances were I distractedly in love
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5122	with him, I cannot say that I regret my comparative insignificance.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5123	Importance may sometimes be purchased too dearly. Kitty and Lydia take
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5124	his defection much more to heart than I do. They are young in the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5125	ways of the world, and not yet open to the mortifying conviction that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5126	handsome young men must have something to live on as well as the plain.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5127
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5128
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5129
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5130	Chapter 27
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5131
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5132
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5133	With no greater events than these in the Longbourn family, and otherwise
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5134	diversified by little beyond the walks to Meryton, sometimes dirty and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5135	sometimes cold, did January and February pass away. March was to take
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5136	Elizabeth to Hunsford. She had not at first thought very seriously of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5137	going thither; but Charlotte, she soon found, was depending on the plan
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5138	and she gradually learned to consider it herself with greater pleasure
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5139	as well as greater certainty. Absence had increased her desire of seeing
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5140	Charlotte again, and weakened her disgust of Mr. Collins. There
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5141	was novelty in the scheme, and as, with such a mother and such
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5142	uncompanionable sisters, home could not be faultless, a little change
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5143	was not unwelcome for its own sake. The journey would moreover give her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5144	a peep at Jane; and, in short, as the time drew near, she would have
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5145	been very sorry for any delay. Everything, however, went on smoothly,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5146	and was finally settled according to Charlotte’s first sketch. She was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5147	to accompany Sir William and his second daughter. The improvement
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5148	of spending a night in London was added in time, and the plan became
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5149	perfect as plan could be.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5150
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5151	The only pain was in leaving her father, who would certainly miss her,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5152	and who, when it came to the point, so little liked her going, that he
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5153	told her to write to him, and almost promised to answer her letter.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5154
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5155	The farewell between herself and Mr. Wickham was perfectly friendly; on
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5156	his side even more. His present pursuit could not make him forget that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5157	Elizabeth had been the first to excite and to deserve his attention, the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5158	first to listen and to pity, the first to be admired; and in his manner
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5159	of bidding her adieu, wishing her every enjoyment, reminding her of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5160	what she was to expect in Lady Catherine de Bourgh, and trusting their
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5161	opinion of her--their opinion of everybody--would always coincide, there
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5162	was a solicitude, an interest which she felt must ever attach her to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5163	him with a most sincere regard; and she parted from him convinced that,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5164	whether married or single, he must always be her model of the amiable
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5165	and pleasing.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5166
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5167	Her fellow-travellers the next day were not of a kind to make her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5168	think him less agreeable. Sir William Lucas, and his daughter Maria, a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5169	good-humoured girl, but as empty-headed as himself, had nothing to say
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5170	that could be worth hearing, and were listened to with about as much
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5171	delight as the rattle of the chaise. Elizabeth loved absurdities, but
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5172	she had known Sir William’s too long. He could tell her nothing new of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5173	the wonders of his presentation and knighthood; and his civilities were
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5174	worn out, like his information.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5175
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5176	It was a journey of only twenty-four miles, and they began it so early
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5177	as to be in Gracechurch Street by noon. As they drove to Mr. Gardiner’s
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5178	door, Jane was at a drawing-room window watching their arrival; when
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5179	they entered the passage she was there to welcome them, and Elizabeth,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5180	looking earnestly in her face, was pleased to see it healthful and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5181	lovely as ever. On the stairs were a troop of little boys and girls,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5182	whose eagerness for their cousin’s appearance would not allow them to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5183	wait in the drawing-room, and whose shyness, as they had not seen
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5184	her for a twelvemonth, prevented their coming lower. All was joy and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5185	kindness. The day passed most pleasantly away; the morning in bustle and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5186	shopping, and the evening at one of the theatres.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5187
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5188	Elizabeth then contrived to sit by her aunt. Their first object was her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5189	sister; and she was more grieved than astonished to hear, in reply to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5190	her minute inquiries, that though Jane always struggled to support her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5191	spirits, there were periods of dejection. It was reasonable, however,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5192	to hope that they would not continue long. Mrs. Gardiner gave her the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5193	particulars also of Miss Bingley’s visit in Gracechurch Street, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5194	repeated conversations occurring at different times between Jane and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5195	herself, which proved that the former had, from her heart, given up the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5196	acquaintance.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5197
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5198	Mrs. Gardiner then rallied her niece on Wickham’s desertion, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5199	complimented her on bearing it so well.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5200
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5201	“But my dear Elizabeth,” she added, “what sort of girl is Miss King? I
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5202	should be sorry to think our friend mercenary.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5203
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5204	“Pray, my dear aunt, what is the difference in matrimonial affairs,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5205	between the mercenary and the prudent motive? Where does discretion end,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5206	and avarice begin? Last Christmas you were afraid of his marrying me,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5207	because it would be imprudent; and now, because he is trying to get
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5208	a girl with only ten thousand pounds, you want to find out that he is
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5209	mercenary.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5210
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5211	“If you will only tell me what sort of girl Miss King is, I shall know
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5212	what to think.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5213
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5214	“She is a very good kind of girl, I believe. I know no harm of her.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5215
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5216	“But he paid her not the smallest attention till her grandfather’s death
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5217	made her mistress of this fortune.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5218
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5219	“No--why should he? If it were not allowable for him to gain _my_
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5220	affections because I had no money, what occasion could there be for
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5221	making love to a girl whom he did not care about, and who was equally
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5222	poor?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5223
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5224	“But there seems an indelicacy in directing his attentions towards her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5225	so soon after this event.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5226
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5227	“A man in distressed circumstances has not time for all those elegant
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5228	decorums which other people may observe. If _she_ does not object to it,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5229	why should _we_?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5230
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5231	“_Her_ not objecting does not justify _him_. It only shows her being
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5232	deficient in something herself--sense or feeling.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5233
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5234	“Well,” cried Elizabeth, “have it as you choose. _He_ shall be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5235	mercenary, and _she_ shall be foolish.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5236
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5237	“No, Lizzy, that is what I do _not_ choose. I should be sorry, you know,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5238	to think ill of a young man who has lived so long in Derbyshire.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5239
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5240	“Oh! if that is all, I have a very poor opinion of young men who live in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5241	Derbyshire; and their intimate friends who live in Hertfordshire are not
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5242	much better. I am sick of them all. Thank Heaven! I am going to-morrow
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5243	where I shall find a man who has not one agreeable quality, who has
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5244	neither manner nor sense to recommend him. Stupid men are the only ones
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5245	worth knowing, after all.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5246
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5247	“Take care, Lizzy; that speech savours strongly of disappointment.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5248
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5249	Before they were separated by the conclusion of the play, she had the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5250	unexpected happiness of an invitation to accompany her uncle and aunt in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5251	a tour of pleasure which they proposed taking in the summer.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5252
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5253	“We have not determined how far it shall carry us,” said Mrs. Gardiner,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5254	“but, perhaps, to the Lakes.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5255
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5256	No scheme could have been more agreeable to Elizabeth, and her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5257	acceptance of the invitation was most ready and grateful. “Oh, my dear,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5258	dear aunt,” she rapturously cried, “what delight! what felicity! You
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5259	give me fresh life and vigour. Adieu to disappointment and spleen. What
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5260	are young men to rocks and mountains? Oh! what hours of transport
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5261	we shall spend! And when we _do_ return, it shall not be like other
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5262	travellers, without being able to give one accurate idea of anything. We
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5263	_will_ know where we have gone--we _will_ recollect what we have seen.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5264	Lakes, mountains, and rivers shall not be jumbled together in our
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5265	imaginations; nor when we attempt to describe any particular scene,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5266	will we begin quarreling about its relative situation. Let _our_
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5267	first effusions be less insupportable than those of the generality of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5268	travellers.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5269
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5270
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5271
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5272	Chapter 28
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5273
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5274
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5275	Every object in the next day’s journey was new and interesting to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5276	Elizabeth; and her spirits were in a state of enjoyment; for she had
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5277	seen her sister looking so well as to banish all fear for her health,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5278	and the prospect of her northern tour was a constant source of delight.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5279
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5280	When they left the high road for the lane to Hunsford, every eye was in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5281	search of the Parsonage, and every turning expected to bring it in view.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5282	The palings of Rosings Park was their boundary on one side. Elizabeth
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5283	smiled at the recollection of all that she had heard of its inhabitants.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5284
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5285	At length the Parsonage was discernible. The garden sloping to the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5286	road, the house standing in it, the green pales, and the laurel hedge,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5287	everything declared they were arriving. Mr. Collins and Charlotte
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5288	appeared at the door, and the carriage stopped at the small gate which
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5289	led by a short gravel walk to the house, amidst the nods and smiles of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5290	the whole party. In a moment they were all out of the chaise, rejoicing
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5291	at the sight of each other. Mrs. Collins welcomed her friend with the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5292	liveliest pleasure, and Elizabeth was more and more satisfied with
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5293	coming when she found herself so affectionately received. She saw
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5294	instantly that her cousin’s manners were not altered by his marriage;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5295	his formal civility was just what it had been, and he detained her some
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5296	minutes at the gate to hear and satisfy his inquiries after all her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5297	family. They were then, with no other delay than his pointing out the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5298	neatness of the entrance, taken into the house; and as soon as they
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5299	were in the parlour, he welcomed them a second time, with ostentatious
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5300	formality to his humble abode, and punctually repeated all his wife’s
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5301	offers of refreshment.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5302
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5303	Elizabeth was prepared to see him in his glory; and she could not help
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5304	in fancying that in displaying the good proportion of the room, its
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5305	aspect and its furniture, he addressed himself particularly to her,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5306	as if wishing to make her feel what she had lost in refusing him. But
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5307	though everything seemed neat and comfortable, she was not able to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5308	gratify him by any sigh of repentance, and rather looked with wonder at
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5309	her friend that she could have so cheerful an air with such a companion.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5310	When Mr. Collins said anything of which his wife might reasonably be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5311	ashamed, which certainly was not unseldom, she involuntarily turned her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5312	eye on Charlotte. Once or twice she could discern a faint blush; but
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5313	in general Charlotte wisely did not hear. After sitting long enough to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5314	admire every article of furniture in the room, from the sideboard to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5315	the fender, to give an account of their journey, and of all that had
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5316	happened in London, Mr. Collins invited them to take a stroll in the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5317	garden, which was large and well laid out, and to the cultivation of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5318	which he attended himself. To work in this garden was one of his most
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5319	respectable pleasures; and Elizabeth admired the command of countenance
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5320	with which Charlotte talked of the healthfulness of the exercise, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5321	owned she encouraged it as much as possible. Here, leading the way
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5322	through every walk and cross walk, and scarcely allowing them an
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5323	interval to utter the praises he asked for, every view was pointed out
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5324	with a minuteness which left beauty entirely behind. He could number the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5325	fields in every direction, and could tell how many trees there were in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5326	the most distant clump. But of all the views which his garden, or which
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5327	the country or kingdom could boast, none were to be compared with the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5328	prospect of Rosings, afforded by an opening in the trees that bordered
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5329	the park nearly opposite the front of his house. It was a handsome
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5330	modern building, well situated on rising ground.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5331
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5332	From his garden, Mr. Collins would have led them round his two meadows;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5333	but the ladies, not having shoes to encounter the remains of a white
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5334	frost, turned back; and while Sir William accompanied him, Charlotte
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5335	took her sister and friend over the house, extremely well pleased,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5336	probably, to have the opportunity of showing it without her husband’s
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5337	help. It was rather small, but well built and convenient; and everything
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5338	was fitted up and arranged with a neatness and consistency of which
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5339	Elizabeth gave Charlotte all the credit. When Mr. Collins could be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5340	forgotten, there was really an air of great comfort throughout, and by
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5341	Charlotte’s evident enjoyment of it, Elizabeth supposed he must be often
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5342	forgotten.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5343
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5344	She had already learnt that Lady Catherine was still in the country. It
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5345	was spoken of again while they were at dinner, when Mr. Collins joining
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5346	in, observed:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5347
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5348	“Yes, Miss Elizabeth, you will have the honour of seeing Lady Catherine
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5349	de Bourgh on the ensuing Sunday at church, and I need not say you will
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5350	be delighted with her. She is all affability and condescension, and I
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5351	doubt not but you will be honoured with some portion of her notice
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5352	when service is over. I have scarcely any hesitation in saying she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5353	will include you and my sister Maria in every invitation with which she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5354	honours us during your stay here. Her behaviour to my dear Charlotte is
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5355	charming. We dine at Rosings twice every week, and are never allowed
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5356	to walk home. Her ladyship’s carriage is regularly ordered for us. I
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5357	_should_ say, one of her ladyship’s carriages, for she has several.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5358
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5359	“Lady Catherine is a very respectable, sensible woman indeed,” added
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5360	Charlotte, “and a most attentive neighbour.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5361
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5362	“Very true, my dear, that is exactly what I say. She is the sort of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5363	woman whom one cannot regard with too much deference.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5364
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5365	The evening was spent chiefly in talking over Hertfordshire news,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5366	and telling again what had already been written; and when it closed,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5367	Elizabeth, in the solitude of her chamber, had to meditate upon
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5368	Charlotte’s degree of contentment, to understand her address in guiding,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5369	and composure in bearing with, her husband, and to acknowledge that it
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5370	was all done very well. She had also to anticipate how her visit
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5371	would pass, the quiet tenor of their usual employments, the vexatious
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5372	interruptions of Mr. Collins, and the gaieties of their intercourse with
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5373	Rosings. A lively imagination soon settled it all.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5374
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5375	About the middle of the next day, as she was in her room getting ready
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5376	for a walk, a sudden noise below seemed to speak the whole house in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5377	confusion; and, after listening a moment, she heard somebody running
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5378	up stairs in a violent hurry, and calling loudly after her. She opened
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5379	the door and met Maria in the landing place, who, breathless with
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5380	agitation, cried out--
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5381
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5382	“Oh, my dear Eliza! pray make haste and come into the dining-room, for
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5383	there is such a sight to be seen! I will not tell you what it is. Make
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5384	haste, and come down this moment.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5385
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5386	Elizabeth asked questions in vain; Maria would tell her nothing more,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5387	and down they ran into the dining-room, which fronted the lane, in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5388	quest of this wonder; It was two ladies stopping in a low phaeton at the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5389	garden gate.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5390
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5391	“And is this all?” cried Elizabeth. “I expected at least that the pigs
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5392	were got into the garden, and here is nothing but Lady Catherine and her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5393	daughter.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5394
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5395	“La! my dear,” said Maria, quite shocked at the mistake, “it is not
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5396	Lady Catherine. The old lady is Mrs. Jenkinson, who lives with them;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5397	the other is Miss de Bourgh. Only look at her. She is quite a little
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5398	creature. Who would have thought that she could be so thin and small?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5399
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5400	“She is abominably rude to keep Charlotte out of doors in all this wind.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5401	Why does she not come in?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5402
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5403	“Oh, Charlotte says she hardly ever does. It is the greatest of favours
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5404	when Miss de Bourgh comes in.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5405
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5406	“I like her appearance,” said Elizabeth, struck with other ideas. “She
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5407	looks sickly and cross. Yes, she will do for him very well. She will
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5408	make him a very proper wife.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5409
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5410	Mr. Collins and Charlotte were both standing at the gate in conversation
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5411	with the ladies; and Sir William, to Elizabeth’s high diversion, was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5412	stationed in the doorway, in earnest contemplation of the greatness
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5413	before him, and constantly bowing whenever Miss de Bourgh looked that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5414	way.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5415
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5416	At length there was nothing more to be said; the ladies drove on, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5417	the others returned into the house. Mr. Collins no sooner saw the two
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5418	girls than he began to congratulate them on their good fortune, which
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5419	Charlotte explained by letting them know that the whole party was asked
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5420	to dine at Rosings the next day.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5421
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5422
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5423
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5424	Chapter 29
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5425
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5426
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5427	Mr. Collins’s triumph, in consequence of this invitation, was complete.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5428	The power of displaying the grandeur of his patroness to his wondering
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5429	visitors, and of letting them see her civility towards himself and his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5430	wife, was exactly what he had wished for; and that an opportunity
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5431	of doing it should be given so soon, was such an instance of Lady
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5432	Catherine’s condescension, as he knew not how to admire enough.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5433
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5434	“I confess,” said he, “that I should not have been at all surprised by
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5435	her ladyship’s asking us on Sunday to drink tea and spend the evening at
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5436	Rosings. I rather expected, from my knowledge of her affability, that it
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5437	would happen. But who could have foreseen such an attention as this? Who
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5438	could have imagined that we should receive an invitation to dine there
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5439	(an invitation, moreover, including the whole party) so immediately
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5440	after your arrival!”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5441
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5442	“I am the less surprised at what has happened,” replied Sir William,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5443	“from that knowledge of what the manners of the great really are, which
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5444	my situation in life has allowed me to acquire. About the court, such
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5445	instances of elegant breeding are not uncommon.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5446
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5447	Scarcely anything was talked of the whole day or next morning but their
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5448	visit to Rosings. Mr. Collins was carefully instructing them in what
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5449	they were to expect, that the sight of such rooms, so many servants, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5450	so splendid a dinner, might not wholly overpower them.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5451
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5452	When the ladies were separating for the toilette, he said to Elizabeth--
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5453
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5454	“Do not make yourself uneasy, my dear cousin, about your apparel. Lady
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5455	Catherine is far from requiring that elegance of dress in us which
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5456	becomes herself and her daughter. I would advise you merely to put on
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5457	whatever of your clothes is superior to the rest--there is no occasion
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5458	for anything more. Lady Catherine will not think the worse of you
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5459	for being simply dressed. She likes to have the distinction of rank
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5460	preserved.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5461
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5462	While they were dressing, he came two or three times to their different
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5463	doors, to recommend their being quick, as Lady Catherine very much
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5464	objected to be kept waiting for her dinner. Such formidable accounts of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5465	her ladyship, and her manner of living, quite frightened Maria Lucas
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5466	who had been little used to company, and she looked forward to her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5467	introduction at Rosings with as much apprehension as her father had done
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5468	to his presentation at St. James’s.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5469
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5470	As the weather was fine, they had a pleasant walk of about half a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5471	mile across the park. Every park has its beauty and its prospects; and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5472	Elizabeth saw much to be pleased with, though she could not be in such
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5473	raptures as Mr. Collins expected the scene to inspire, and was but
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5474	slightly affected by his enumeration of the windows in front of the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5475	house, and his relation of what the glazing altogether had originally
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5476	cost Sir Lewis de Bourgh.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5477
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5478	When they ascended the steps to the hall, Maria’s alarm was every
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5479	moment increasing, and even Sir William did not look perfectly calm.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5480	Elizabeth’s courage did not fail her. She had heard nothing of Lady
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5481	Catherine that spoke her awful from any extraordinary talents or
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5482	miraculous virtue, and the mere stateliness of money or rank she thought
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5483	she could witness without trepidation.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5484
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5485	From the entrance-hall, of which Mr. Collins pointed out, with a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5486	rapturous air, the fine proportion and the finished ornaments, they
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5487	followed the servants through an ante-chamber, to the room where Lady
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5488	Catherine, her daughter, and Mrs. Jenkinson were sitting. Her ladyship,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5489	with great condescension, arose to receive them; and as Mrs. Collins had
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5490	settled it with her husband that the office of introduction should
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5491	be hers, it was performed in a proper manner, without any of those
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5492	apologies and thanks which he would have thought necessary.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5493
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5494	In spite of having been at St. James’s, Sir William was so completely
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5495	awed by the grandeur surrounding him, that he had but just courage
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5496	enough to make a very low bow, and take his seat without saying a word;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5497	and his daughter, frightened almost out of her senses, sat on the edge
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5498	of her chair, not knowing which way to look. Elizabeth found herself
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5499	quite equal to the scene, and could observe the three ladies before her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5500	composedly. Lady Catherine was a tall, large woman, with strongly-marked
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5501	features, which might once have been handsome. Her air was not
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5502	conciliating, nor was her manner of receiving them such as to make her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5503	visitors forget their inferior rank. She was not rendered formidable by
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5504	silence; but whatever she said was spoken in so authoritative a tone,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5505	as marked her self-importance, and brought Mr. Wickham immediately to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5506	Elizabeth’s mind; and from the observation of the day altogether, she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5507	believed Lady Catherine to be exactly what he represented.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5508
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5509	When, after examining the mother, in whose countenance and deportment
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5510	she soon found some resemblance of Mr. Darcy, she turned her eyes on the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5511	daughter, she could almost have joined in Maria’s astonishment at her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5512	being so thin and so small. There was neither in figure nor face any
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5513	likeness between the ladies. Miss de Bourgh was pale and sickly; her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5514	features, though not plain, were insignificant; and she spoke very
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5515	little, except in a low voice, to Mrs. Jenkinson, in whose appearance
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5516	there was nothing remarkable, and who was entirely engaged in listening
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5517	to what she said, and placing a screen in the proper direction before
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5518	her eyes.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5519
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5520	After sitting a few minutes, they were all sent to one of the windows to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5521	admire the view, Mr. Collins attending them to point out its beauties,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5522	and Lady Catherine kindly informing them that it was much better worth
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5523	looking at in the summer.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5524
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5525	The dinner was exceedingly handsome, and there were all the servants and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5526	all the articles of plate which Mr. Collins had promised; and, as he had
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5527	likewise foretold, he took his seat at the bottom of the table, by her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5528	ladyship’s desire, and looked as if he felt that life could furnish
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5529	nothing greater. He carved, and ate, and praised with delighted
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5530	alacrity; and every dish was commended, first by him and then by Sir
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5531	William, who was now enough recovered to echo whatever his son-in-law
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5532	said, in a manner which Elizabeth wondered Lady Catherine could bear.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5533	But Lady Catherine seemed gratified by their excessive admiration, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5534	gave most gracious smiles, especially when any dish on the table proved
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5535	a novelty to them. The party did not supply much conversation. Elizabeth
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5536	was ready to speak whenever there was an opening, but she was seated
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5537	between Charlotte and Miss de Bourgh--the former of whom was engaged in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5538	listening to Lady Catherine, and the latter said not a word to her all
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5539	dinner-time. Mrs. Jenkinson was chiefly employed in watching how little
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5540	Miss de Bourgh ate, pressing her to try some other dish, and fearing
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5541	she was indisposed. Maria thought speaking out of the question, and the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5542	gentlemen did nothing but eat and admire.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5543
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5544	When the ladies returned to the drawing-room, there was little to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5545	be done but to hear Lady Catherine talk, which she did without any
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5546	intermission till coffee came in, delivering her opinion on every
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5547	subject in so decisive a manner, as proved that she was not used to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5548	have her judgement controverted. She inquired into Charlotte’s domestic
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5549	concerns familiarly and minutely, gave her a great deal of advice as
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5550	to the management of them all; told her how everything ought to be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5551	regulated in so small a family as hers, and instructed her as to the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5552	care of her cows and her poultry. Elizabeth found that nothing was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5553	beneath this great lady’s attention, which could furnish her with an
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5554	occasion of dictating to others. In the intervals of her discourse
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5555	with Mrs. Collins, she addressed a variety of questions to Maria and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5556	Elizabeth, but especially to the latter, of whose connections she knew
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5557	the least, and who she observed to Mrs. Collins was a very genteel,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5558	pretty kind of girl. She asked her, at different times, how many sisters
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5559	she had, whether they were older or younger than herself, whether any of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5560	them were likely to be married, whether they were handsome, where they
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5561	had been educated, what carriage her father kept, and what had been
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5562	her mother’s maiden name? Elizabeth felt all the impertinence of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5563	her questions but answered them very composedly. Lady Catherine then
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5564	observed,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5565
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5566	“Your father’s estate is entailed on Mr. Collins, I think. For your
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5567	sake,” turning to Charlotte, “I am glad of it; but otherwise I see no
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5568	occasion for entailing estates from the female line. It was not thought
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5569	necessary in Sir Lewis de Bourgh’s family. Do you play and sing, Miss
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5570	Bennet?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5571
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5572	“A little.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5573
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5574	“Oh! then--some time or other we shall be happy to hear you. Our
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5575	instrument is a capital one, probably superior to----You shall try it
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5576	some day. Do your sisters play and sing?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5577
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5578	“One of them does.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5579
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5580	“Why did not you all learn? You ought all to have learned. The Miss
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5581	Webbs all play, and their father has not so good an income as yours. Do
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5582	you draw?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5583
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5584	“No, not at all.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5585
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5586	“What, none of you?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5587
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5588	“Not one.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5589
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5590	“That is very strange. But I suppose you had no opportunity. Your mother
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5591	should have taken you to town every spring for the benefit of masters.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5592
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5593	“My mother would have had no objection, but my father hates London.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5594
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5595	“Has your governess left you?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5596
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5597	“We never had any governess.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5598
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5599	“No governess! How was that possible? Five daughters brought up at home
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5600	without a governess! I never heard of such a thing. Your mother must
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5601	have been quite a slave to your education.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5602
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5603	Elizabeth could hardly help smiling as she assured her that had not been
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5604	the case.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5605
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5606	“Then, who taught you? who attended to you? Without a governess, you
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5607	must have been neglected.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5608
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5609	“Compared with some families, I believe we were; but such of us as
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5610	wished to learn never wanted the means. We were always encouraged to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5611	read, and had all the masters that were necessary. Those who chose to be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5612	idle, certainly might.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5613
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5614	“Aye, no doubt; but that is what a governess will prevent, and if I had
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5615	known your mother, I should have advised her most strenuously to engage
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5616	one. I always say that nothing is to be done in education without steady
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5617	and regular instruction, and nobody but a governess can give it. It is
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5618	wonderful how many families I have been the means of supplying in that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5619	way. I am always glad to get a young person well placed out. Four nieces
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5620	of Mrs. Jenkinson are most delightfully situated through my means; and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5621	it was but the other day that I recommended another young person,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5622	who was merely accidentally mentioned to me, and the family are quite
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5623	delighted with her. Mrs. Collins, did I tell you of Lady Metcalf’s
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5624	calling yesterday to thank me? She finds Miss Pope a treasure. ‘Lady
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5625	Catherine,’ said she, ‘you have given me a treasure.’ Are any of your
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5626	younger sisters out, Miss Bennet?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5627
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5628	“Yes, ma’am, all.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5629
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5630	“All! What, all five out at once? Very odd! And you only the second. The
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5631	younger ones out before the elder ones are married! Your younger sisters
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5632	must be very young?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5633
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5634	“Yes, my youngest is not sixteen. Perhaps _she_ is full young to be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5635	much in company. But really, ma’am, I think it would be very hard upon
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5636	younger sisters, that they should not have their share of society and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5637	amusement, because the elder may not have the means or inclination to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5638	marry early. The last-born has as good a right to the pleasures of youth
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5639	as the first. And to be kept back on _such_ a motive! I think it would
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5640	not be very likely to promote sisterly affection or delicacy of mind.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5641
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5642	“Upon my word,” said her ladyship, “you give your opinion very decidedly
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5643	for so young a person. Pray, what is your age?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5644
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5645	“With three younger sisters grown up,” replied Elizabeth, smiling, “your
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5646	ladyship can hardly expect me to own it.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5647
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5648	Lady Catherine seemed quite astonished at not receiving a direct answer;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5649	and Elizabeth suspected herself to be the first creature who had ever
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5650	dared to trifle with so much dignified impertinence.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5651
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5652	“You cannot be more than twenty, I am sure, therefore you need not
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5653	conceal your age.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5654
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5655	“I am not one-and-twenty.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5656
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5657	When the gentlemen had joined them, and tea was over, the card-tables
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5658	were placed. Lady Catherine, Sir William, and Mr. and Mrs. Collins sat
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5659	down to quadrille; and as Miss de Bourgh chose to play at cassino, the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5660	two girls had the honour of assisting Mrs. Jenkinson to make up her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5661	party. Their table was superlatively stupid. Scarcely a syllable was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5662	uttered that did not relate to the game, except when Mrs. Jenkinson
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5663	expressed her fears of Miss de Bourgh’s being too hot or too cold, or
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5664	having too much or too little light. A great deal more passed at the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5665	other table. Lady Catherine was generally speaking--stating the mistakes
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5666	of the three others, or relating some anecdote of herself. Mr. Collins
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5667	was employed in agreeing to everything her ladyship said, thanking her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5668	for every fish he won, and apologising if he thought he won too many.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5669	Sir William did not say much. He was storing his memory with anecdotes
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5670	and noble names.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5671
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5672	When Lady Catherine and her daughter had played as long as they chose,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5673	the tables were broken up, the carriage was offered to Mrs. Collins,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5674	gratefully accepted and immediately ordered. The party then gathered
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5675	round the fire to hear Lady Catherine determine what weather they were
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5676	to have on the morrow. From these instructions they were summoned by
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5677	the arrival of the coach; and with many speeches of thankfulness on Mr.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5678	Collins’s side and as many bows on Sir William’s they departed. As soon
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5679	as they had driven from the door, Elizabeth was called on by her cousin
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5680	to give her opinion of all that she had seen at Rosings, which, for
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5681	Charlotte’s sake, she made more favourable than it really was. But her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5682	commendation, though costing her some trouble, could by no means satisfy
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5683	Mr. Collins, and he was very soon obliged to take her ladyship’s praise
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5684	into his own hands.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5685
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5686
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5687
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5688	Chapter 30
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5689
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5690
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5691	Sir William stayed only a week at Hunsford, but his visit was long
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5692	enough to convince him of his daughter’s being most comfortably settled,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5693	and of her possessing such a husband and such a neighbour as were not
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5694	often met with. While Sir William was with them, Mr. Collins devoted his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5695	morning to driving him out in his gig, and showing him the country; but
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5696	when he went away, the whole family returned to their usual employments,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5697	and Elizabeth was thankful to find that they did not see more of her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5698	cousin by the alteration, for the chief of the time between breakfast
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5699	and dinner was now passed by him either at work in the garden or in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5700	reading and writing, and looking out of the window in his own book-room,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5701	which fronted the road. The room in which the ladies sat was backwards.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5702	Elizabeth had at first rather wondered that Charlotte should not prefer
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5703	the dining-parlour for common use; it was a better sized room, and had a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5704	more pleasant aspect; but she soon saw that her friend had an excellent
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5705	reason for what she did, for Mr. Collins would undoubtedly have been
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5706	much less in his own apartment, had they sat in one equally lively; and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5707	she gave Charlotte credit for the arrangement.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5708
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5709	From the drawing-room they could distinguish nothing in the lane, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5710	were indebted to Mr. Collins for the knowledge of what carriages went
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5711	along, and how often especially Miss de Bourgh drove by in her phaeton,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5712	which he never failed coming to inform them of, though it happened
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5713	almost every day. She not unfrequently stopped at the Parsonage, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5714	had a few minutes’ conversation with Charlotte, but was scarcely ever
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5715	prevailed upon to get out.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5716
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5717	Very few days passed in which Mr. Collins did not walk to Rosings, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5718	not many in which his wife did not think it necessary to go likewise;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5719	and till Elizabeth recollected that there might be other family livings
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5720	to be disposed of, she could not understand the sacrifice of so many
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5721	hours. Now and then they were honoured with a call from her ladyship,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5722	and nothing escaped her observation that was passing in the room during
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5723	these visits. She examined into their employments, looked at their work,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5724	and advised them to do it differently; found fault with the arrangement
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5725	of the furniture; or detected the housemaid in negligence; and if she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5726	accepted any refreshment, seemed to do it only for the sake of finding
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5727	out that Mrs. Collins’s joints of meat were too large for her family.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5728
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5729	Elizabeth soon perceived, that though this great lady was not in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5730	commission of the peace of the county, she was a most active magistrate
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5731	in her own parish, the minutest concerns of which were carried to her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5732	by Mr. Collins; and whenever any of the cottagers were disposed to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5733	be quarrelsome, discontented, or too poor, she sallied forth into the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5734	village to settle their differences, silence their complaints, and scold
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5735	them into harmony and plenty.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5736
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5737	The entertainment of dining at Rosings was repeated about twice a week;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5738	and, allowing for the loss of Sir William, and there being only one
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5739	card-table in the evening, every such entertainment was the counterpart
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5740	of the first. Their other engagements were few, as the style of living
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5741	in the neighbourhood in general was beyond Mr. Collins’s reach. This,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5742	however, was no evil to Elizabeth, and upon the whole she spent her time
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5743	comfortably enough; there were half-hours of pleasant conversation with
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5744	Charlotte, and the weather was so fine for the time of year that she had
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5745	often great enjoyment out of doors. Her favourite walk, and where she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5746	frequently went while the others were calling on Lady Catherine, was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5747	along the open grove which edged that side of the park, where there was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5748	a nice sheltered path, which no one seemed to value but herself, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5749	where she felt beyond the reach of Lady Catherine’s curiosity.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5750
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5751	In this quiet way, the first fortnight of her visit soon passed away.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5752	Easter was approaching, and the week preceding it was to bring an
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5753	addition to the family at Rosings, which in so small a circle must be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5754	important. Elizabeth had heard soon after her arrival that Mr. Darcy was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5755	expected there in the course of a few weeks, and though there were not
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5756	many of her acquaintances whom she did not prefer, his coming would
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5757	furnish one comparatively new to look at in their Rosings parties, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5758	she might be amused in seeing how hopeless Miss Bingley’s designs on him
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5759	were, by his behaviour to his cousin, for whom he was evidently
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5760	destined by Lady Catherine, who talked of his coming with the greatest
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5761	satisfaction, spoke of him in terms of the highest admiration, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5762	seemed almost angry to find that he had already been frequently seen by
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5763	Miss Lucas and herself.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5764
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5765	His arrival was soon known at the Parsonage; for Mr. Collins was walking
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5766	the whole morning within view of the lodges opening into Hunsford Lane,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5767	in order to have the earliest assurance of it, and after making his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5768	bow as the carriage turned into the Park, hurried home with the great
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5769	intelligence. On the following morning he hastened to Rosings to pay his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5770	respects. There were two nephews of Lady Catherine to require them, for
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5771	Mr. Darcy had brought with him a Colonel Fitzwilliam, the younger son of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5772	his uncle Lord ----, and, to the great surprise of all the party, when
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5773	Mr. Collins returned, the gentlemen accompanied him. Charlotte had seen
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5774	them from her husband’s room, crossing the road, and immediately running
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5775	into the other, told the girls what an honour they might expect, adding:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5776
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5777	“I may thank you, Eliza, for this piece of civility. Mr. Darcy would
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5778	never have come so soon to wait upon me.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5779
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5780	Elizabeth had scarcely time to disclaim all right to the compliment,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5781	before their approach was announced by the door-bell, and shortly
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5782	afterwards the three gentlemen entered the room. Colonel Fitzwilliam,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5783	who led the way, was about thirty, not handsome, but in person and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5784	address most truly the gentleman. Mr. Darcy looked just as he had been
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5785	used to look in Hertfordshire--paid his compliments, with his usual
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5786	reserve, to Mrs. Collins, and whatever might be his feelings toward her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5787	friend, met her with every appearance of composure. Elizabeth merely
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5788	curtseyed to him without saying a word.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5789
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5790	Colonel Fitzwilliam entered into conversation directly with the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5791	readiness and ease of a well-bred man, and talked very pleasantly; but
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5792	his cousin, after having addressed a slight observation on the house and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5793	garden to Mrs. Collins, sat for some time without speaking to anybody.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5794	At length, however, his civility was so far awakened as to inquire of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5795	Elizabeth after the health of her family. She answered him in the usual
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5796	way, and after a moment’s pause, added:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5797
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5798	“My eldest sister has been in town these three months. Have you never
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5799	happened to see her there?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5800
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5801	She was perfectly sensible that he never had; but she wished to see
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5802	whether he would betray any consciousness of what had passed between
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5803	the Bingleys and Jane, and she thought he looked a little confused as he
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5804	answered that he had never been so fortunate as to meet Miss Bennet. The
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5805	subject was pursued no farther, and the gentlemen soon afterwards went
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5806	away.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5807
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5808
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5809
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5810	Chapter 31
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5811
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5812
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5813	Colonel Fitzwilliam’s manners were very much admired at the Parsonage,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5814	and the ladies all felt that he must add considerably to the pleasures
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5815	of their engagements at Rosings. It was some days, however, before they
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5816	received any invitation thither--for while there were visitors in the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5817	house, they could not be necessary; and it was not till Easter-day,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5818	almost a week after the gentlemen’s arrival, that they were honoured by
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5819	such an attention, and then they were merely asked on leaving church to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5820	come there in the evening. For the last week they had seen very little
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5821	of Lady Catherine or her daughter. Colonel Fitzwilliam had called at the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5822	Parsonage more than once during the time, but Mr. Darcy they had seen
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5823	only at church.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5824
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5825	The invitation was accepted of course, and at a proper hour they joined
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5826	the party in Lady Catherine’s drawing-room. Her ladyship received
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5827	them civilly, but it was plain that their company was by no means so
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5828	acceptable as when she could get nobody else; and she was, in fact,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5829	almost engrossed by her nephews, speaking to them, especially to Darcy,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5830	much more than to any other person in the room.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5831
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5832	Colonel Fitzwilliam seemed really glad to see them; anything was a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5833	welcome relief to him at Rosings; and Mrs. Collins’s pretty friend had
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5834	moreover caught his fancy very much. He now seated himself by her, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5835	talked so agreeably of Kent and Hertfordshire, of travelling and staying
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5836	at home, of new books and music, that Elizabeth had never been half so
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5837	well entertained in that room before; and they conversed with so much
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5838	spirit and flow, as to draw the attention of Lady Catherine herself,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5839	as well as of Mr. Darcy. _His_ eyes had been soon and repeatedly turned
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5840	towards them with a look of curiosity; and that her ladyship, after a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5841	while, shared the feeling, was more openly acknowledged, for she did not
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5842	scruple to call out:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5843
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5844	“What is that you are saying, Fitzwilliam? What is it you are talking
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5845	of? What are you telling Miss Bennet? Let me hear what it is.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5846
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5847	“We are speaking of music, madam,” said he, when no longer able to avoid
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5848	a reply.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5849
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5850	“Of music! Then pray speak aloud. It is of all subjects my delight. I
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5851	must have my share in the conversation if you are speaking of music.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5852	There are few people in England, I suppose, who have more true enjoyment
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5853	of music than myself, or a better natural taste. If I had ever learnt,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5854	I should have been a great proficient. And so would Anne, if her health
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5855	had allowed her to apply. I am confident that she would have performed
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5856	delightfully. How does Georgiana get on, Darcy?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5857
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5858	Mr. Darcy spoke with affectionate praise of his sister’s proficiency.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5859
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5860	“I am very glad to hear such a good account of her,” said Lady
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5861	Catherine; “and pray tell her from me, that she cannot expect to excel
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5862	if she does not practice a good deal.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5863
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5864	“I assure you, madam,” he replied, “that she does not need such advice.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5865	She practises very constantly.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5866
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5867	“So much the better. It cannot be done too much; and when I next write
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5868	to her, I shall charge her not to neglect it on any account. I often
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5869	tell young ladies that no excellence in music is to be acquired without
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5870	constant practice. I have told Miss Bennet several times, that she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5871	will never play really well unless she practises more; and though Mrs.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5872	Collins has no instrument, she is very welcome, as I have often told
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5873	her, to come to Rosings every day, and play on the pianoforte in Mrs.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5874	Jenkinson’s room. She would be in nobody’s way, you know, in that part
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5875	of the house.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5876
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5877	Mr. Darcy looked a little ashamed of his aunt’s ill-breeding, and made
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5878	no answer.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5879
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5880	When coffee was over, Colonel Fitzwilliam reminded Elizabeth of having
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5881	promised to play to him; and she sat down directly to the instrument. He
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5882	drew a chair near her. Lady Catherine listened to half a song, and then
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5883	talked, as before, to her other nephew; till the latter walked away
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5884	from her, and making with his usual deliberation towards the pianoforte
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5885	stationed himself so as to command a full view of the fair performer’s
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5886	countenance. Elizabeth saw what he was doing, and at the first
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5887	convenient pause, turned to him with an arch smile, and said:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5888
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5889	“You mean to frighten me, Mr. Darcy, by coming in all this state to hear
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5890	me? I will not be alarmed though your sister _does_ play so well. There
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5891	is a stubbornness about me that never can bear to be frightened at the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5892	will of others. My courage always rises at every attempt to intimidate
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5893	me.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5894
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5895	“I shall not say you are mistaken,” he replied, “because you could not
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5896	really believe me to entertain any design of alarming you; and I have
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5897	had the pleasure of your acquaintance long enough to know that you find
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5898	great enjoyment in occasionally professing opinions which in fact are
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5899	not your own.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5900
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5901	Elizabeth laughed heartily at this picture of herself, and said to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5902	Colonel Fitzwilliam, “Your cousin will give you a very pretty notion of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5903	me, and teach you not to believe a word I say. I am particularly unlucky
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5904	in meeting with a person so able to expose my real character, in a part
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5905	of the world where I had hoped to pass myself off with some degree of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5906	credit. Indeed, Mr. Darcy, it is very ungenerous in you to mention all
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5907	that you knew to my disadvantage in Hertfordshire--and, give me leave to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5908	say, very impolitic too--for it is provoking me to retaliate, and such
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5909	things may come out as will shock your relations to hear.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5910
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5911	“I am not afraid of you,” said he, smilingly.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5912
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5913	“Pray let me hear what you have to accuse him of,” cried Colonel
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5914	Fitzwilliam. “I should like to know how he behaves among strangers.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5915
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5916	“You shall hear then--but prepare yourself for something very dreadful.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5917	The first time of my ever seeing him in Hertfordshire, you must know,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5918	was at a ball--and at this ball, what do you think he did? He danced
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5919	only four dances, though gentlemen were scarce; and, to my certain
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5920	knowledge, more than one young lady was sitting down in want of a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5921	partner. Mr. Darcy, you cannot deny the fact.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5922
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5923	“I had not at that time the honour of knowing any lady in the assembly
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5924	beyond my own party.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5925
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5926	“True; and nobody can ever be introduced in a ball-room. Well, Colonel
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5927	Fitzwilliam, what do I play next? My fingers wait your orders.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5928
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5929	“Perhaps,” said Darcy, “I should have judged better, had I sought an
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5930	introduction; but I am ill-qualified to recommend myself to strangers.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5931
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5932	“Shall we ask your cousin the reason of this?” said Elizabeth, still
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5933	addressing Colonel Fitzwilliam. “Shall we ask him why a man of sense and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5934	education, and who has lived in the world, is ill qualified to recommend
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5935	himself to strangers?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5936
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5937	“I can answer your question,” said Fitzwilliam, “without applying to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5938	him. It is because he will not give himself the trouble.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5939
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5940	“I certainly have not the talent which some people possess,” said Darcy,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5941	“of conversing easily with those I have never seen before. I cannot
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5942	catch their tone of conversation, or appear interested in their
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5943	concerns, as I often see done.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5944
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5945	“My fingers,” said Elizabeth, “do not move over this instrument in the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5946	masterly manner which I see so many women’s do. They have not the same
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5947	force or rapidity, and do not produce the same expression. But then I
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5948	have always supposed it to be my own fault--because I will not take the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5949	trouble of practising. It is not that I do not believe _my_ fingers as
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5950	capable as any other woman’s of superior execution.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5951
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5952	Darcy smiled and said, “You are perfectly right. You have employed your
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5953	time much better. No one admitted to the privilege of hearing you can
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5954	think anything wanting. We neither of us perform to strangers.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5955
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5956	Here they were interrupted by Lady Catherine, who called out to know
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5957	what they were talking of. Elizabeth immediately began playing again.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5958	Lady Catherine approached, and, after listening for a few minutes, said
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5959	to Darcy:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5960
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5961	“Miss Bennet would not play at all amiss if she practised more, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5962	could have the advantage of a London master. She has a very good notion
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5963	of fingering, though her taste is not equal to Anne’s. Anne would have
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5964	been a delightful performer, had her health allowed her to learn.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5965
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5966	Elizabeth looked at Darcy to see how cordially he assented to his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5967	cousin’s praise; but neither at that moment nor at any other could she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5968	discern any symptom of love; and from the whole of his behaviour to Miss
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5969	de Bourgh she derived this comfort for Miss Bingley, that he might have
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5970	been just as likely to marry _her_, had she been his relation.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5971
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5972	Lady Catherine continued her remarks on Elizabeth’s performance, mixing
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5973	with them many instructions on execution and taste. Elizabeth received
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5974	them with all the forbearance of civility, and, at the request of the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5975	gentlemen, remained at the instrument till her ladyship’s carriage was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5976	ready to take them all home.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5977
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5978
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5979
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5980	Chapter 32
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5981
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5982
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5983	Elizabeth was sitting by herself the next morning, and writing to Jane
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5984	while Mrs. Collins and Maria were gone on business into the village,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5985	when she was startled by a ring at the door, the certain signal of a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5986	visitor. As she had heard no carriage, she thought it not unlikely to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5987	be Lady Catherine, and under that apprehension was putting away her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5988	half-finished letter that she might escape all impertinent questions,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5989	when the door opened, and, to her very great surprise, Mr. Darcy, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5990	Mr. Darcy only, entered the room.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5991
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5992	He seemed astonished too on finding her alone, and apologised for his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5993	intrusion by letting her know that he had understood all the ladies were
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5994	to be within.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5995
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5996	They then sat down, and when her inquiries after Rosings were made,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5997	seemed in danger of sinking into total silence. It was absolutely
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5998	necessary, therefore, to think of something, and in this emergence
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	5999	recollecting _when_ she had seen him last in Hertfordshire, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6000	feeling curious to know what he would say on the subject of their hasty
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6001	departure, she observed:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6002
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6003	“How very suddenly you all quitted Netherfield last November, Mr. Darcy!
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6004	It must have been a most agreeable surprise to Mr. Bingley to see you
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6005	all after him so soon; for, if I recollect right, he went but the day
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6006	before. He and his sisters were well, I hope, when you left London?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6007
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6008	“Perfectly so, I thank you.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6009
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6010	She found that she was to receive no other answer, and, after a short
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6011	pause added:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6012
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6013	“I think I have understood that Mr. Bingley has not much idea of ever
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6014	returning to Netherfield again?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6015
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6016	“I have never heard him say so; but it is probable that he may spend
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6017	very little of his time there in the future. He has many friends, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6018	is at a time of life when friends and engagements are continually
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6019	increasing.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6020
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6021	“If he means to be but little at Netherfield, it would be better for
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6022	the neighbourhood that he should give up the place entirely, for then we
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6023	might possibly get a settled family there. But, perhaps, Mr. Bingley did
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6024	not take the house so much for the convenience of the neighbourhood as
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6025	for his own, and we must expect him to keep it or quit it on the same
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6026	principle.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6027
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6028	“I should not be surprised,” said Darcy, “if he were to give it up as
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6029	soon as any eligible purchase offers.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6030
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6031	Elizabeth made no answer. She was afraid of talking longer of his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6032	friend; and, having nothing else to say, was now determined to leave the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6033	trouble of finding a subject to him.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6034
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6035	He took the hint, and soon began with, “This seems a very comfortable
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6036	house. Lady Catherine, I believe, did a great deal to it when Mr.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6037	Collins first came to Hunsford.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6038
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6039	“I believe she did--and I am sure she could not have bestowed her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6040	kindness on a more grateful object.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6041
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6042	“Mr. Collins appears to be very fortunate in his choice of a wife.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6043
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6044	“Yes, indeed, his friends may well rejoice in his having met with one
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6045	of the very few sensible women who would have accepted him, or have made
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6046	him happy if they had. My friend has an excellent understanding--though
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6047	I am not certain that I consider her marrying Mr. Collins as the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6048	wisest thing she ever did. She seems perfectly happy, however, and in a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6049	prudential light it is certainly a very good match for her.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6050
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6051	“It must be very agreeable for her to be settled within so easy a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6052	distance of her own family and friends.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6053
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6054	“An easy distance, do you call it? It is nearly fifty miles.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6055
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6056	“And what is fifty miles of good road? Little more than half a day’s
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6057	journey. Yes, I call it a _very_ easy distance.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6058
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6059	“I should never have considered the distance as one of the _advantages_
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6060	of the match,” cried Elizabeth. “I should never have said Mrs. Collins
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6061	was settled _near_ her family.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6062
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6063	“It is a proof of your own attachment to Hertfordshire. Anything beyond
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6064	the very neighbourhood of Longbourn, I suppose, would appear far.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6065
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6066	As he spoke there was a sort of smile which Elizabeth fancied she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6067	understood; he must be supposing her to be thinking of Jane and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6068	Netherfield, and she blushed as she answered:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6069
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6070	“I do not mean to say that a woman may not be settled too near her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6071	family. The far and the near must be relative, and depend on many
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6072	varying circumstances. Where there is fortune to make the expenses of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6073	travelling unimportant, distance becomes no evil. But that is not the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6074	case _here_. Mr. and Mrs. Collins have a comfortable income, but not
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6075	such a one as will allow of frequent journeys--and I am persuaded my
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6076	friend would not call herself _near_ her family under less than _half_
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6077	the present distance.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6078
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6079	Mr. Darcy drew his chair a little towards her, and said, “_You_ cannot
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6080	have a right to such very strong local attachment. _You_ cannot have
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6081	been always at Longbourn.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6082
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6083	Elizabeth looked surprised. The gentleman experienced some change of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6084	feeling; he drew back his chair, took a newspaper from the table, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6085	glancing over it, said, in a colder voice:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6086
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6087	“Are you pleased with Kent?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6088
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6089	A short dialogue on the subject of the country ensued, on either side
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6090	calm and concise--and soon put an end to by the entrance of Charlotte
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6091	and her sister, just returned from her walk. The tete-a-tete surprised
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6092	them. Mr. Darcy related the mistake which had occasioned his intruding
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6093	on Miss Bennet, and after sitting a few minutes longer without saying
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6094	much to anybody, went away.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6095
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6096	“What can be the meaning of this?” said Charlotte, as soon as he was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6097	gone. “My dear, Eliza, he must be in love with you, or he would never
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6098	have called us in this familiar way.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6099
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6100	But when Elizabeth told of his silence, it did not seem very likely,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6101	even to Charlotte’s wishes, to be the case; and after various
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6102	conjectures, they could at last only suppose his visit to proceed from
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6103	the difficulty of finding anything to do, which was the more probable
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6104	from the time of year. All field sports were over. Within doors there
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6105	was Lady Catherine, books, and a billiard-table, but gentlemen cannot
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6106	always be within doors; and in the nearness of the Parsonage, or the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6107	pleasantness of the walk to it, or of the people who lived in it, the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6108	two cousins found a temptation from this period of walking thither
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6109	almost every day. They called at various times of the morning, sometimes
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6110	separately, sometimes together, and now and then accompanied by their
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6111	aunt. It was plain to them all that Colonel Fitzwilliam came because he
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6112	had pleasure in their society, a persuasion which of course recommended
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6113	him still more; and Elizabeth was reminded by her own satisfaction in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6114	being with him, as well as by his evident admiration of her, of her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6115	former favourite George Wickham; and though, in comparing them, she saw
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6116	there was less captivating softness in Colonel Fitzwilliam’s manners,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6117	she believed he might have the best informed mind.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6118
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6119	But why Mr. Darcy came so often to the Parsonage, it was more difficult
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6120	to understand. It could not be for society, as he frequently sat there
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6121	ten minutes together without opening his lips; and when he did speak,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6122	it seemed the effect of necessity rather than of choice--a sacrifice
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6123	to propriety, not a pleasure to himself. He seldom appeared really
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6124	animated. Mrs. Collins knew not what to make of him. Colonel
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6125	Fitzwilliam’s occasionally laughing at his stupidity, proved that he was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6126	generally different, which her own knowledge of him could not have told
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6127	her; and as she would liked to have believed this change the effect
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6128	of love, and the object of that love her friend Eliza, she set herself
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6129	seriously to work to find it out. She watched him whenever they were at
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6130	Rosings, and whenever he came to Hunsford; but without much success. He
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6131	certainly looked at her friend a great deal, but the expression of that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6132	look was disputable. It was an earnest, steadfast gaze, but she often
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6133	doubted whether there were much admiration in it, and sometimes it
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6134	seemed nothing but absence of mind.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6135
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6136	She had once or twice suggested to Elizabeth the possibility of his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6137	being partial to her, but Elizabeth always laughed at the idea; and Mrs.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6138	Collins did not think it right to press the subject, from the danger of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6139	raising expectations which might only end in disappointment; for in her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6140	opinion it admitted not of a doubt, that all her friend’s dislike would
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6141	vanish, if she could suppose him to be in her power.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6142
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6143
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6144	In her kind schemes for Elizabeth, she sometimes planned her marrying
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6145	Colonel Fitzwilliam. He was beyond comparison the most pleasant man; he
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6146	certainly admired her, and his situation in life was most eligible; but,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6147	to counterbalance these advantages, Mr. Darcy had considerable patronage
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6148	in the church, and his cousin could have none at all.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6149
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6150
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6151
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6152	Chapter 33
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6153
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6154
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6155	More than once did Elizabeth, in her ramble within the park,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6156	unexpectedly meet Mr. Darcy. She felt all the perverseness of the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6157	mischance that should bring him where no one else was brought, and, to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6158	prevent its ever happening again, took care to inform him at first that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6159	it was a favourite haunt of hers. How it could occur a second time,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6160	therefore, was very odd! Yet it did, and even a third. It seemed like
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6161	wilful ill-nature, or a voluntary penance, for on these occasions it was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6162	not merely a few formal inquiries and an awkward pause and then away,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6163	but he actually thought it necessary to turn back and walk with her. He
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6164	never said a great deal, nor did she give herself the trouble of talking
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6165	or of listening much; but it struck her in the course of their third
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6166	rencontre that he was asking some odd unconnected questions--about
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6167	her pleasure in being at Hunsford, her love of solitary walks, and her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6168	opinion of Mr. and Mrs. Collins’s happiness; and that in speaking of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6169	Rosings and her not perfectly understanding the house, he seemed to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6170	expect that whenever she came into Kent again she would be staying
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6171	_there_ too. His words seemed to imply it. Could he have Colonel
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6172	Fitzwilliam in his thoughts? She supposed, if he meant anything, he must
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6173	mean an allusion to what might arise in that quarter. It distressed
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6174	her a little, and she was quite glad to find herself at the gate in the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6175	pales opposite the Parsonage.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6176
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6177	She was engaged one day as she walked, in perusing Jane’s last letter,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6178	and dwelling on some passages which proved that Jane had not written in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6179	spirits, when, instead of being again surprised by Mr. Darcy, she saw
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6180	on looking up that Colonel Fitzwilliam was meeting her. Putting away the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6181	letter immediately and forcing a smile, she said:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6182
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6183	“I did not know before that you ever walked this way.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6184
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6185	“I have been making the tour of the park,” he replied, “as I generally
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6186	do every year, and intend to close it with a call at the Parsonage. Are
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6187	you going much farther?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6188
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6189	“No, I should have turned in a moment.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6190
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6191	And accordingly she did turn, and they walked towards the Parsonage
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6192	together.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6193
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6194	“Do you certainly leave Kent on Saturday?” said she.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6195
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6196	“Yes--if Darcy does not put it off again. But I am at his disposal. He
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6197	arranges the business just as he pleases.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6198
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6199	“And if not able to please himself in the arrangement, he has at least
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6200	pleasure in the great power of choice. I do not know anybody who seems
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6201	more to enjoy the power of doing what he likes than Mr. Darcy.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6202
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6203	“He likes to have his own way very well,” replied Colonel Fitzwilliam.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6204	“But so we all do. It is only that he has better means of having it
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6205	than many others, because he is rich, and many others are poor. I speak
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6206	feelingly. A younger son, you know, must be inured to self-denial and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6207	dependence.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6208
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6209	“In my opinion, the younger son of an earl can know very little of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6210	either. Now seriously, what have you ever known of self-denial and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6211	dependence? When have you been prevented by want of money from going
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6212	wherever you chose, or procuring anything you had a fancy for?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6213
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6214	“These are home questions--and perhaps I cannot say that I have
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6215	experienced many hardships of that nature. But in matters of greater
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6216	weight, I may suffer from want of money. Younger sons cannot marry where
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6217	they like.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6218
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6219	“Unless where they like women of fortune, which I think they very often
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6220	do.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6221
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6222	“Our habits of expense make us too dependent, and there are not many
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6223	in my rank of life who can afford to marry without some attention to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6224	money.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6225
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6226	“Is this,” thought Elizabeth, “meant for me?” and she coloured at the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6227	idea; but, recovering herself, said in a lively tone, “And pray, what
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6228	is the usual price of an earl’s younger son? Unless the elder brother is
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6229	very sickly, I suppose you would not ask above fifty thousand pounds.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6230
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6231	He answered her in the same style, and the subject dropped. To interrupt
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6232	a silence which might make him fancy her affected with what had passed,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6233	she soon afterwards said:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6234
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6235	“I imagine your cousin brought you down with him chiefly for the sake of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6236	having someone at his disposal. I wonder he does not marry, to secure a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6237	lasting convenience of that kind. But, perhaps, his sister does as well
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6238	for the present, and, as she is under his sole care, he may do what he
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6239	likes with her.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6240
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6241	“No,” said Colonel Fitzwilliam, “that is an advantage which he must
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6242	divide with me. I am joined with him in the guardianship of Miss Darcy.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6243
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6244	“Are you indeed? And pray what sort of guardians do you make? Does your
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6245	charge give you much trouble? Young ladies of her age are sometimes a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6246	little difficult to manage, and if she has the true Darcy spirit, she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6247	may like to have her own way.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6248
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6249	As she spoke she observed him looking at her earnestly; and the manner
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6250	in which he immediately asked her why she supposed Miss Darcy likely to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6251	give them any uneasiness, convinced her that she had somehow or other
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6252	got pretty near the truth. She directly replied:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6253
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6254	“You need not be frightened. I never heard any harm of her; and I dare
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6255	say she is one of the most tractable creatures in the world. She is a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6256	very great favourite with some ladies of my acquaintance, Mrs. Hurst and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6257	Miss Bingley. I think I have heard you say that you know them.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6258
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6259	“I know them a little. Their brother is a pleasant gentlemanlike man--he
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6260	is a great friend of Darcy’s.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6261
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6262	“Oh! yes,” said Elizabeth drily; “Mr. Darcy is uncommonly kind to Mr.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6263	Bingley, and takes a prodigious deal of care of him.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6264
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6265	“Care of him! Yes, I really believe Darcy _does_ take care of him in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6266	those points where he most wants care. From something that he told me in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6267	our journey hither, I have reason to think Bingley very much indebted to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6268	him. But I ought to beg his pardon, for I have no right to suppose that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6269	Bingley was the person meant. It was all conjecture.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6270
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6271	“What is it you mean?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6272
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6273	“It is a circumstance which Darcy could not wish to be generally known,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6274	because if it were to get round to the lady’s family, it would be an
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6275	unpleasant thing.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6276
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6277	“You may depend upon my not mentioning it.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6278
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6279	“And remember that I have not much reason for supposing it to be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6280	Bingley. What he told me was merely this: that he congratulated himself
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6281	on having lately saved a friend from the inconveniences of a most
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6282	imprudent marriage, but without mentioning names or any other
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6283	particulars, and I only suspected it to be Bingley from believing
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6284	him the kind of young man to get into a scrape of that sort, and from
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6285	knowing them to have been together the whole of last summer.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6286
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6287	“Did Mr. Darcy give you reasons for this interference?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6288
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6289	“I understood that there were some very strong objections against the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6290	lady.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6291
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6292	“And what arts did he use to separate them?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6293
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6294	“He did not talk to me of his own arts,” said Fitzwilliam, smiling. “He
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6295	only told me what I have now told you.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6296
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6297	Elizabeth made no answer, and walked on, her heart swelling with
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6298	indignation. After watching her a little, Fitzwilliam asked her why she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6299	was so thoughtful.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6300
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6301	“I am thinking of what you have been telling me,” said she. “Your
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6302	cousin’s conduct does not suit my feelings. Why was he to be the judge?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6303
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6304	“You are rather disposed to call his interference officious?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6305
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6306	“I do not see what right Mr. Darcy had to decide on the propriety of his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6307	friend’s inclination, or why, upon his own judgement alone, he was to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6308	determine and direct in what manner his friend was to be happy.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6309	But,” she continued, recollecting herself, “as we know none of the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6310	particulars, it is not fair to condemn him. It is not to be supposed
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6311	that there was much affection in the case.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6312
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6313	“That is not an unnatural surmise,” said Fitzwilliam, “but it is a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6314	lessening of the honour of my cousin’s triumph very sadly.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6315
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6316	This was spoken jestingly; but it appeared to her so just a picture
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6317	of Mr. Darcy, that she would not trust herself with an answer, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6318	therefore, abruptly changing the conversation talked on indifferent
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6319	matters until they reached the Parsonage. There, shut into her own room,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6320	as soon as their visitor left them, she could think without interruption
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6321	of all that she had heard. It was not to be supposed that any other
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6322	people could be meant than those with whom she was connected. There
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6323	could not exist in the world _two_ men over whom Mr. Darcy could have
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6324	such boundless influence. That he had been concerned in the measures
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6325	taken to separate Bingley and Jane she had never doubted; but she had
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6326	always attributed to Miss Bingley the principal design and arrangement
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6327	of them. If his own vanity, however, did not mislead him, _he_ was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6328	the cause, his pride and caprice were the cause, of all that Jane had
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6329	suffered, and still continued to suffer. He had ruined for a while
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6330	every hope of happiness for the most affectionate, generous heart in the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6331	world; and no one could say how lasting an evil he might have inflicted.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6332
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6333	“There were some very strong objections against the lady,” were Colonel
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6334	Fitzwilliam’s words; and those strong objections probably were, her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6335	having one uncle who was a country attorney, and another who was in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6336	business in London.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6337
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6338	“To Jane herself,” she exclaimed, “there could be no possibility of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6339	objection; all loveliness and goodness as she is!--her understanding
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6340	excellent, her mind improved, and her manners captivating. Neither
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6341	could anything be urged against my father, who, though with some
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6342	peculiarities, has abilities Mr. Darcy himself need not disdain, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6343	respectability which he will probably never reach.” When she thought of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6344	her mother, her confidence gave way a little; but she would not allow
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6345	that any objections _there_ had material weight with Mr. Darcy, whose
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6346	pride, she was convinced, would receive a deeper wound from the want of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6347	importance in his friend’s connections, than from their want of sense;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6348	and she was quite decided, at last, that he had been partly governed
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6349	by this worst kind of pride, and partly by the wish of retaining Mr.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6350	Bingley for his sister.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6351
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6352	The agitation and tears which the subject occasioned, brought on a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6353	headache; and it grew so much worse towards the evening, that, added to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6354	her unwillingness to see Mr. Darcy, it determined her not to attend her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6355	cousins to Rosings, where they were engaged to drink tea. Mrs. Collins,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6356	seeing that she was really unwell, did not press her to go and as much
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6357	as possible prevented her husband from pressing her; but Mr. Collins
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6358	could not conceal his apprehension of Lady Catherine’s being rather
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6359	displeased by her staying at home.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6360
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6361
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6362
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6363	Chapter 34
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6364
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6365
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6366	When they were gone, Elizabeth, as if intending to exasperate herself
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6367	as much as possible against Mr. Darcy, chose for her employment the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6368	examination of all the letters which Jane had written to her since her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6369	being in Kent. They contained no actual complaint, nor was there any
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6370	revival of past occurrences, or any communication of present suffering.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6371	But in all, and in almost every line of each, there was a want of that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6372	cheerfulness which had been used to characterise her style, and which,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6373	proceeding from the serenity of a mind at ease with itself and kindly
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6374	disposed towards everyone, had been scarcely ever clouded. Elizabeth
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6375	noticed every sentence conveying the idea of uneasiness, with an
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6376	attention which it had hardly received on the first perusal. Mr. Darcy’s
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6377	shameful boast of what misery he had been able to inflict, gave her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6378	a keener sense of her sister’s sufferings. It was some consolation
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6379	to think that his visit to Rosings was to end on the day after the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6380	next--and, a still greater, that in less than a fortnight she should
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6381	herself be with Jane again, and enabled to contribute to the recovery of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6382	her spirits, by all that affection could do.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6383
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6384	She could not think of Darcy’s leaving Kent without remembering that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6385	his cousin was to go with him; but Colonel Fitzwilliam had made it clear
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6386	that he had no intentions at all, and agreeable as he was, she did not
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6387	mean to be unhappy about him.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6388
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6389	While settling this point, she was suddenly roused by the sound of the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6390	door-bell, and her spirits were a little fluttered by the idea of its
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6391	being Colonel Fitzwilliam himself, who had once before called late in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6392	the evening, and might now come to inquire particularly after her.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6393	But this idea was soon banished, and her spirits were very differently
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6394	affected, when, to her utter amazement, she saw Mr. Darcy walk into the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6395	room. In an hurried manner he immediately began an inquiry after her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6396	health, imputing his visit to a wish of hearing that she were better.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6397	She answered him with cold civility. He sat down for a few moments, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6398	then getting up, walked about the room. Elizabeth was surprised, but
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6399	said not a word. After a silence of several minutes, he came towards her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6400	in an agitated manner, and thus began:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6401
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6402	“In vain I have struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6403	repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6404	you.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6405
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6406	Elizabeth’s astonishment was beyond expression. She stared, coloured,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6407	doubted, and was silent. This he considered sufficient encouragement;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6408	and the avowal of all that he felt, and had long felt for her,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6409	immediately followed. He spoke well; but there were feelings besides
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6410	those of the heart to be detailed; and he was not more eloquent on the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6411	subject of tenderness than of pride. His sense of her inferiority--of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6412	its being a degradation--of the family obstacles which had always
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6413	opposed to inclination, were dwelt on with a warmth which seemed due to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6414	the consequence he was wounding, but was very unlikely to recommend his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6415	suit.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6416
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6417	In spite of her deeply-rooted dislike, she could not be insensible to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6418	the compliment of such a man’s affection, and though her intentions did
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6419	not vary for an instant, she was at first sorry for the pain he was to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6420	receive; till, roused to resentment by his subsequent language, she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6421	lost all compassion in anger. She tried, however, to compose herself to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6422	answer him with patience, when he should have done. He concluded with
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6423	representing to her the strength of that attachment which, in spite
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6424	of all his endeavours, he had found impossible to conquer; and with
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6425	expressing his hope that it would now be rewarded by her acceptance of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6426	his hand. As he said this, she could easily see that he had no doubt
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6427	of a favourable answer. He _spoke_ of apprehension and anxiety, but
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6428	his countenance expressed real security. Such a circumstance could
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6429	only exasperate farther, and, when he ceased, the colour rose into her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6430	cheeks, and she said:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6431
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6432	“In such cases as this, it is, I believe, the established mode to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6433	express a sense of obligation for the sentiments avowed, however
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6434	unequally they may be returned. It is natural that obligation should
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6435	be felt, and if I could _feel_ gratitude, I would now thank you. But I
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6436	cannot--I have never desired your good opinion, and you have certainly
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6437	bestowed it most unwillingly. I am sorry to have occasioned pain to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6438	anyone. It has been most unconsciously done, however, and I hope will be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6439	of short duration. The feelings which, you tell me, have long prevented
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6440	the acknowledgment of your regard, can have little difficulty in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6441	overcoming it after this explanation.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6442
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6443	Mr. Darcy, who was leaning against the mantelpiece with his eyes fixed
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6444	on her face, seemed to catch her words with no less resentment than
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6445	surprise. His complexion became pale with anger, and the disturbance
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6446	of his mind was visible in every feature. He was struggling for the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6447	appearance of composure, and would not open his lips till he believed
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6448	himself to have attained it. The pause was to Elizabeth’s feelings
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6449	dreadful. At length, with a voice of forced calmness, he said:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6450
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6451	“And this is all the reply which I am to have the honour of expecting!
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6452	I might, perhaps, wish to be informed why, with so little _endeavour_ at
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6453	civility, I am thus rejected. But it is of small importance.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6454
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6455	“I might as well inquire,” replied she, “why with so evident a desire
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6456	of offending and insulting me, you chose to tell me that you liked me
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6457	against your will, against your reason, and even against your character?
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6458	Was not this some excuse for incivility, if I _was_ uncivil? But I have
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6459	other provocations. You know I have. Had not my feelings decided against
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6460	you--had they been indifferent, or had they even been favourable, do you
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6461	think that any consideration would tempt me to accept the man who has
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6462	been the means of ruining, perhaps for ever, the happiness of a most
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6463	beloved sister?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6464
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6465	As she pronounced these words, Mr. Darcy changed colour; but the emotion
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6466	was short, and he listened without attempting to interrupt her while she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6467	continued:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6468
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6469	“I have every reason in the world to think ill of you. No motive can
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6470	excuse the unjust and ungenerous part you acted _there_. You dare not,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6471	you cannot deny, that you have been the principal, if not the only means
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6472	of dividing them from each other--of exposing one to the censure of the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6473	world for caprice and instability, and the other to its derision for
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6474	disappointed hopes, and involving them both in misery of the acutest
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6475	kind.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6476
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6477	She paused, and saw with no slight indignation that he was listening
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6478	with an air which proved him wholly unmoved by any feeling of remorse.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6479	He even looked at her with a smile of affected incredulity.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6480
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6481	“Can you deny that you have done it?” she repeated.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6482
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6483	With assumed tranquillity he then replied: “I have no wish of denying
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6484	that I did everything in my power to separate my friend from your
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6485	sister, or that I rejoice in my success. Towards _him_ I have been
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6486	kinder than towards myself.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6487
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6488	Elizabeth disdained the appearance of noticing this civil reflection,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6489	but its meaning did not escape, nor was it likely to conciliate her.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6490
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6491	“But it is not merely this affair,” she continued, “on which my dislike
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6492	is founded. Long before it had taken place my opinion of you was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6493	decided. Your character was unfolded in the recital which I received
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6494	many months ago from Mr. Wickham. On this subject, what can you have to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6495	say? In what imaginary act of friendship can you here defend yourself?
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6496	or under what misrepresentation can you here impose upon others?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6497
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6498	“You take an eager interest in that gentleman’s concerns,” said Darcy,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6499	in a less tranquil tone, and with a heightened colour.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6500
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6501	“Who that knows what his misfortunes have been, can help feeling an
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6502	interest in him?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6503
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6504	“His misfortunes!” repeated Darcy contemptuously; “yes, his misfortunes
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6505	have been great indeed.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6506
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6507	“And of your infliction,” cried Elizabeth with energy. “You have reduced
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6508	him to his present state of poverty--comparative poverty. You have
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6509	withheld the advantages which you must know to have been designed for
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6510	him. You have deprived the best years of his life of that independence
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6511	which was no less his due than his desert. You have done all this!
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6512	and yet you can treat the mention of his misfortune with contempt and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6513	ridicule.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6514
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6515	“And this,” cried Darcy, as he walked with quick steps across the room,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6516	“is your opinion of me! This is the estimation in which you hold me!
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6517	I thank you for explaining it so fully. My faults, according to this
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6518	calculation, are heavy indeed! But perhaps,” added he, stopping in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6519	his walk, and turning towards her, “these offenses might have been
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6520	overlooked, had not your pride been hurt by my honest confession of the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6521	scruples that had long prevented my forming any serious design. These
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6522	bitter accusations might have been suppressed, had I, with greater
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6523	policy, concealed my struggles, and flattered you into the belief of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6524	my being impelled by unqualified, unalloyed inclination; by reason, by
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6525	reflection, by everything. But disguise of every sort is my abhorrence.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6526	Nor am I ashamed of the feelings I related. They were natural and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6527	just. Could you expect me to rejoice in the inferiority of your
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6528	connections?--to congratulate myself on the hope of relations, whose
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6529	condition in life is so decidedly beneath my own?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6530
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6531	Elizabeth felt herself growing more angry every moment; yet she tried to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6532	the utmost to speak with composure when she said:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6533
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6534	“You are mistaken, Mr. Darcy, if you suppose that the mode of your
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6535	declaration affected me in any other way, than as it spared me the concern
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6536	which I might have felt in refusing you, had you behaved in a more
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6537	gentlemanlike manner.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6538
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6539	She saw him start at this, but he said nothing, and she continued:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6540
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6541	“You could not have made the offer of your hand in any possible way that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6542	would have tempted me to accept it.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6543
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6544	Again his astonishment was obvious; and he looked at her with an
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6545	expression of mingled incredulity and mortification. She went on:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6546
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6547	“From the very beginning--from the first moment, I may almost say--of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6548	my acquaintance with you, your manners, impressing me with the fullest
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6549	belief of your arrogance, your conceit, and your selfish disdain of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6550	the feelings of others, were such as to form the groundwork of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6551	disapprobation on which succeeding events have built so immovable a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6552	dislike; and I had not known you a month before I felt that you were the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6553	last man in the world whom I could ever be prevailed on to marry.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6554
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6555	“You have said quite enough, madam. I perfectly comprehend your
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6556	feelings, and have now only to be ashamed of what my own have been.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6557	Forgive me for having taken up so much of your time, and accept my best
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6558	wishes for your health and happiness.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6559
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6560	And with these words he hastily left the room, and Elizabeth heard him
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6561	the next moment open the front door and quit the house.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6562
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6563	The tumult of her mind, was now painfully great. She knew not how
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6564	to support herself, and from actual weakness sat down and cried for
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6565	half-an-hour. Her astonishment, as she reflected on what had passed,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6566	was increased by every review of it. That she should receive an offer of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6567	marriage from Mr. Darcy! That he should have been in love with her for
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6568	so many months! So much in love as to wish to marry her in spite of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6569	all the objections which had made him prevent his friend’s marrying
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6570	her sister, and which must appear at least with equal force in his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6571	own case--was almost incredible! It was gratifying to have inspired
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6572	unconsciously so strong an affection. But his pride, his abominable
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6573	pride--his shameless avowal of what he had done with respect to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6574	Jane--his unpardonable assurance in acknowledging, though he could
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6575	not justify it, and the unfeeling manner in which he had mentioned Mr.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6576	Wickham, his cruelty towards whom he had not attempted to deny, soon
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6577	overcame the pity which the consideration of his attachment had for
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6578	a moment excited. She continued in very agitated reflections till the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6579	sound of Lady Catherine’s carriage made her feel how unequal she was to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6580	encounter Charlotte’s observation, and hurried her away to her room.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6581
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6582
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6583
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6584	Chapter 35
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6585
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6586
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6587	Elizabeth awoke the next morning to the same thoughts and meditations
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6588	which had at length closed her eyes. She could not yet recover from the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6589	surprise of what had happened; it was impossible to think of anything
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6590	else; and, totally indisposed for employment, she resolved, soon after
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6591	breakfast, to indulge herself in air and exercise. She was proceeding
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6592	directly to her favourite walk, when the recollection of Mr. Darcy’s
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6593	sometimes coming there stopped her, and instead of entering the park,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6594	she turned up the lane, which led farther from the turnpike-road. The
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6595	park paling was still the boundary on one side, and she soon passed one
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6596	of the gates into the ground.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6597
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6598	After walking two or three times along that part of the lane, she was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6599	tempted, by the pleasantness of the morning, to stop at the gates and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6600	look into the park. The five weeks which she had now passed in Kent had
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6601	made a great difference in the country, and every day was adding to the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6602	verdure of the early trees. She was on the point of continuing her walk,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6603	when she caught a glimpse of a gentleman within the sort of grove which
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6604	edged the park; he was moving that way; and, fearful of its being Mr.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6605	Darcy, she was directly retreating. But the person who advanced was now
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6606	near enough to see her, and stepping forward with eagerness, pronounced
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6607	her name. She had turned away; but on hearing herself called, though
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6608	in a voice which proved it to be Mr. Darcy, she moved again towards the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6609	gate. He had by that time reached it also, and, holding out a letter,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6610	which she instinctively took, said, with a look of haughty composure,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6611	“I have been walking in the grove some time in the hope of meeting you.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6612	Will you do me the honour of reading that letter?” And then, with a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6613	slight bow, turned again into the plantation, and was soon out of sight.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6614
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6615	With no expectation of pleasure, but with the strongest curiosity,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6616	Elizabeth opened the letter, and, to her still increasing wonder,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6617	perceived an envelope containing two sheets of letter-paper, written
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6618	quite through, in a very close hand. The envelope itself was likewise
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6619	full. Pursuing her way along the lane, she then began it. It was dated
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6620	from Rosings, at eight o’clock in the morning, and was as follows:--
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6621
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6622	“Be not alarmed, madam, on receiving this letter, by the apprehension
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6623	of its containing any repetition of those sentiments or renewal of those
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6624	offers which were last night so disgusting to you. I write without any
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6625	intention of paining you, or humbling myself, by dwelling on wishes
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6626	which, for the happiness of both, cannot be too soon forgotten; and the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6627	effort which the formation and the perusal of this letter must occasion,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6628	should have been spared, had not my character required it to be written
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6629	and read. You must, therefore, pardon the freedom with which I demand
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6630	your attention; your feelings, I know, will bestow it unwillingly, but I
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6631	demand it of your justice.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6632
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6633	“Two offenses of a very different nature, and by no means of equal
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6634	magnitude, you last night laid to my charge. The first mentioned was,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6635	that, regardless of the sentiments of either, I had detached Mr. Bingley
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6636	from your sister, and the other, that I had, in defiance of various
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6637	claims, in defiance of honour and humanity, ruined the immediate
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6638	prosperity and blasted the prospects of Mr. Wickham. Wilfully and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6639	wantonly to have thrown off the companion of my youth, the acknowledged
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6640	favourite of my father, a young man who had scarcely any other
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6641	dependence than on our patronage, and who had been brought up to expect
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6642	its exertion, would be a depravity, to which the separation of two young
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6643	persons, whose affection could be the growth of only a few weeks, could
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6644	bear no comparison. But from the severity of that blame which was last
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6645	night so liberally bestowed, respecting each circumstance, I shall hope
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6646	to be in the future secured, when the following account of my actions
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6647	and their motives has been read. If, in the explanation of them, which
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6648	is due to myself, I am under the necessity of relating feelings which
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6649	may be offensive to yours, I can only say that I am sorry. The necessity
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6650	must be obeyed, and further apology would be absurd.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6651
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6652	“I had not been long in Hertfordshire, before I saw, in common with
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6653	others, that Bingley preferred your elder sister to any other young
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6654	woman in the country. But it was not till the evening of the dance
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6655	at Netherfield that I had any apprehension of his feeling a serious
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6656	attachment. I had often seen him in love before. At that ball, while I
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6657	had the honour of dancing with you, I was first made acquainted, by Sir
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6658	William Lucas’s accidental information, that Bingley’s attentions to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6659	your sister had given rise to a general expectation of their marriage.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6660	He spoke of it as a certain event, of which the time alone could
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6661	be undecided. From that moment I observed my friend’s behaviour
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6662	attentively; and I could then perceive that his partiality for Miss
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6663	Bennet was beyond what I had ever witnessed in him. Your sister I also
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6664	watched. Her look and manners were open, cheerful, and engaging as ever,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6665	but without any symptom of peculiar regard, and I remained convinced
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6666	from the evening’s scrutiny, that though she received his attentions
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6667	with pleasure, she did not invite them by any participation of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6668	sentiment. If _you_ have not been mistaken here, _I_ must have been
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6669	in error. Your superior knowledge of your sister must make the latter
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6670	probable. If it be so, if I have been misled by such error to inflict
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6671	pain on her, your resentment has not been unreasonable. But I shall not
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6672	scruple to assert, that the serenity of your sister’s countenance and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6673	air was such as might have given the most acute observer a conviction
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6674	that, however amiable her temper, her heart was not likely to be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6675	easily touched. That I was desirous of believing her indifferent is
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6676	certain--but I will venture to say that my investigation and decisions
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6677	are not usually influenced by my hopes or fears. I did not believe
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6678	her to be indifferent because I wished it; I believed it on impartial
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6679	conviction, as truly as I wished it in reason. My objections to the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6680	marriage were not merely those which I last night acknowledged to have
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6681	the utmost force of passion to put aside, in my own case; the want of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6682	connection could not be so great an evil to my friend as to me. But
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6683	there were other causes of repugnance; causes which, though still
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6684	existing, and existing to an equal degree in both instances, I had
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6685	myself endeavoured to forget, because they were not immediately before
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6686	me. These causes must be stated, though briefly. The situation of your
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6687	mother’s family, though objectionable, was nothing in comparison to that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6688	total want of propriety so frequently, so almost uniformly betrayed by
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6689	herself, by your three younger sisters, and occasionally even by your
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6690	father. Pardon me. It pains me to offend you. But amidst your concern
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6691	for the defects of your nearest relations, and your displeasure at this
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6692	representation of them, let it give you consolation to consider that, to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6693	have conducted yourselves so as to avoid any share of the like censure,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6694	is praise no less generally bestowed on you and your elder sister, than
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6695	it is honourable to the sense and disposition of both. I will only say
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6696	farther that from what passed that evening, my opinion of all parties
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6697	was confirmed, and every inducement heightened which could have led
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6698	me before, to preserve my friend from what I esteemed a most unhappy
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6699	connection. He left Netherfield for London, on the day following, as
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6700	you, I am certain, remember, with the design of soon returning.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6701
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6702	“The part which I acted is now to be explained. His sisters’ uneasiness
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6703	had been equally excited with my own; our coincidence of feeling was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6704	soon discovered, and, alike sensible that no time was to be lost in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6705	detaching their brother, we shortly resolved on joining him directly in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6706	London. We accordingly went--and there I readily engaged in the office
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6707	of pointing out to my friend the certain evils of such a choice. I
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6708	described, and enforced them earnestly. But, however this remonstrance
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6709	might have staggered or delayed his determination, I do not suppose
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6710	that it would ultimately have prevented the marriage, had it not been
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6711	seconded by the assurance that I hesitated not in giving, of your
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6712	sister’s indifference. He had before believed her to return his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6713	affection with sincere, if not with equal regard. But Bingley has great
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6714	natural modesty, with a stronger dependence on my judgement than on his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6715	own. To convince him, therefore, that he had deceived himself, was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6716	no very difficult point. To persuade him against returning into
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6717	Hertfordshire, when that conviction had been given, was scarcely the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6718	work of a moment. I cannot blame myself for having done thus much. There
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6719	is but one part of my conduct in the whole affair on which I do not
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6720	reflect with satisfaction; it is that I condescended to adopt the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6721	measures of art so far as to conceal from him your sister’s being in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6722	town. I knew it myself, as it was known to Miss Bingley; but her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6723	brother is even yet ignorant of it. That they might have met without
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6724	ill consequence is perhaps probable; but his regard did not appear to me
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6725	enough extinguished for him to see her without some danger. Perhaps this
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6726	concealment, this disguise was beneath me; it is done, however, and it
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6727	was done for the best. On this subject I have nothing more to say, no
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6728	other apology to offer. If I have wounded your sister’s feelings, it
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6729	was unknowingly done and though the motives which governed me may to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6730	you very naturally appear insufficient, I have not yet learnt to condemn
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6731	them.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6732
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6733	“With respect to that other, more weighty accusation, of having injured
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6734	Mr. Wickham, I can only refute it by laying before you the whole of his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6735	connection with my family. Of what he has _particularly_ accused me I
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6736	am ignorant; but of the truth of what I shall relate, I can summon more
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6737	than one witness of undoubted veracity.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6738
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6739	“Mr. Wickham is the son of a very respectable man, who had for many
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6740	years the management of all the Pemberley estates, and whose good
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6741	conduct in the discharge of his trust naturally inclined my father to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6742	be of service to him; and on George Wickham, who was his godson, his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6743	kindness was therefore liberally bestowed. My father supported him at
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6744	school, and afterwards at Cambridge--most important assistance, as his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6745	own father, always poor from the extravagance of his wife, would have
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6746	been unable to give him a gentleman’s education. My father was not only
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6747	fond of this young man’s society, whose manners were always engaging; he
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6748	had also the highest opinion of him, and hoping the church would be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6749	his profession, intended to provide for him in it. As for myself, it is
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6750	many, many years since I first began to think of him in a very different
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6751	manner. The vicious propensities--the want of principle, which he was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6752	careful to guard from the knowledge of his best friend, could not escape
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6753	the observation of a young man of nearly the same age with himself,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6754	and who had opportunities of seeing him in unguarded moments, which Mr.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6755	Darcy could not have. Here again I shall give you pain--to what degree
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6756	you only can tell. But whatever may be the sentiments which Mr. Wickham
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6757	has created, a suspicion of their nature shall not prevent me from
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6758	unfolding his real character--it adds even another motive.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6759
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6760	“My excellent father died about five years ago; and his attachment to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6761	Mr. Wickham was to the last so steady, that in his will he particularly
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6762	recommended it to me, to promote his advancement in the best manner
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6763	that his profession might allow--and if he took orders, desired that a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6764	valuable family living might be his as soon as it became vacant. There
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6765	was also a legacy of one thousand pounds. His own father did not long
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6766	survive mine, and within half a year from these events, Mr. Wickham
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6767	wrote to inform me that, having finally resolved against taking orders,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6768	he hoped I should not think it unreasonable for him to expect some more
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6769	immediate pecuniary advantage, in lieu of the preferment, by which he
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6770	could not be benefited. He had some intention, he added, of studying
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6771	law, and I must be aware that the interest of one thousand pounds would
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6772	be a very insufficient support therein. I rather wished, than believed
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6773	him to be sincere; but, at any rate, was perfectly ready to accede to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6774	his proposal. I knew that Mr. Wickham ought not to be a clergyman; the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6775	business was therefore soon settled--he resigned all claim to assistance
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6776	in the church, were it possible that he could ever be in a situation to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6777	receive it, and accepted in return three thousand pounds. All connection
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6778	between us seemed now dissolved. I thought too ill of him to invite him
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6779	to Pemberley, or admit his society in town. In town I believe he chiefly
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6780	lived, but his studying the law was a mere pretence, and being now free
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6781	from all restraint, his life was a life of idleness and dissipation.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6782	For about three years I heard little of him; but on the decease of the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6783	incumbent of the living which had been designed for him, he applied to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6784	me again by letter for the presentation. His circumstances, he assured
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6785	me, and I had no difficulty in believing it, were exceedingly bad. He
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6786	had found the law a most unprofitable study, and was now absolutely
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6787	resolved on being ordained, if I would present him to the living in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6788	question--of which he trusted there could be little doubt, as he was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6789	well assured that I had no other person to provide for, and I could not
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6790	have forgotten my revered father’s intentions. You will hardly blame
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6791	me for refusing to comply with this entreaty, or for resisting every
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6792	repetition to it. His resentment was in proportion to the distress of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6793	his circumstances--and he was doubtless as violent in his abuse of me
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6794	to others as in his reproaches to myself. After this period every
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6795	appearance of acquaintance was dropped. How he lived I know not. But
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6796	last summer he was again most painfully obtruded on my notice.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6797
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6798	“I must now mention a circumstance which I would wish to forget myself,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6799	and which no obligation less than the present should induce me to unfold
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6800	to any human being. Having said thus much, I feel no doubt of your
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6801	secrecy. My sister, who is more than ten years my junior, was left to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6802	the guardianship of my mother’s nephew, Colonel Fitzwilliam, and myself.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6803	About a year ago, she was taken from school, and an establishment formed
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6804	for her in London; and last summer she went with the lady who presided
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6805	over it, to Ramsgate; and thither also went Mr. Wickham, undoubtedly by
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6806	design; for there proved to have been a prior acquaintance between him
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6807	and Mrs. Younge, in whose character we were most unhappily deceived; and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6808	by her connivance and aid, he so far recommended himself to Georgiana,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6809	whose affectionate heart retained a strong impression of his kindness to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6810	her as a child, that she was persuaded to believe herself in love, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6811	to consent to an elopement. She was then but fifteen, which must be her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6812	excuse; and after stating her imprudence, I am happy to add, that I owed
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6813	the knowledge of it to herself. I joined them unexpectedly a day or two
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6814	before the intended elopement, and then Georgiana, unable to support the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6815	idea of grieving and offending a brother whom she almost looked up to as
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6816	a father, acknowledged the whole to me. You may imagine what I felt and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6817	how I acted. Regard for my sister’s credit and feelings prevented
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6818	any public exposure; but I wrote to Mr. Wickham, who left the place
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6819	immediately, and Mrs. Younge was of course removed from her charge. Mr.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6820	Wickham’s chief object was unquestionably my sister’s fortune, which
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6821	is thirty thousand pounds; but I cannot help supposing that the hope of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6822	revenging himself on me was a strong inducement. His revenge would have
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6823	been complete indeed.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6824
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6825	“This, madam, is a faithful narrative of every event in which we have
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6826	been concerned together; and if you do not absolutely reject it as
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6827	false, you will, I hope, acquit me henceforth of cruelty towards Mr.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6828	Wickham. I know not in what manner, under what form of falsehood he
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6829	had imposed on you; but his success is not perhaps to be wondered
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6830	at. Ignorant as you previously were of everything concerning either,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6831	detection could not be in your power, and suspicion certainly not in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6832	your inclination.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6833
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6834	“You may possibly wonder why all this was not told you last night; but
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6835	I was not then master enough of myself to know what could or ought to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6836	be revealed. For the truth of everything here related, I can appeal more
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6837	particularly to the testimony of Colonel Fitzwilliam, who, from our
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6838	near relationship and constant intimacy, and, still more, as one of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6839	the executors of my father’s will, has been unavoidably acquainted
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6840	with every particular of these transactions. If your abhorrence of _me_
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6841	should make _my_ assertions valueless, you cannot be prevented by
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6842	the same cause from confiding in my cousin; and that there may be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6843	the possibility of consulting him, I shall endeavour to find some
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6844	opportunity of putting this letter in your hands in the course of the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6845	morning. I will only add, God bless you.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6846
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6847	“FITZWILLIAM DARCY”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6848
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6849
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6850
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6851	Chapter 36
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6852
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6853
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6854	If Elizabeth, when Mr. Darcy gave her the letter, did not expect it to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6855	contain a renewal of his offers, she had formed no expectation at all of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6856	its contents. But such as they were, it may well be supposed how eagerly
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6857	she went through them, and what a contrariety of emotion they excited.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6858	Her feelings as she read were scarcely to be defined. With amazement did
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6859	she first understand that he believed any apology to be in his power;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6860	and steadfastly was she persuaded, that he could have no explanation
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6861	to give, which a just sense of shame would not conceal. With a strong
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6862	prejudice against everything he might say, she began his account of what
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6863	had happened at Netherfield. She read with an eagerness which hardly
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6864	left her power of comprehension, and from impatience of knowing what the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6865	next sentence might bring, was incapable of attending to the sense of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6866	the one before her eyes. His belief of her sister’s insensibility she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6867	instantly resolved to be false; and his account of the real, the worst
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6868	objections to the match, made her too angry to have any wish of doing
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6869	him justice. He expressed no regret for what he had done which satisfied
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6870	her; his style was not penitent, but haughty. It was all pride and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6871	insolence.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6872
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6873	But when this subject was succeeded by his account of Mr. Wickham--when
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6874	she read with somewhat clearer attention a relation of events which,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6875	if true, must overthrow every cherished opinion of his worth, and which
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6876	bore so alarming an affinity to his own history of himself--her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6877	feelings were yet more acutely painful and more difficult of definition.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6878	Astonishment, apprehension, and even horror, oppressed her. She wished
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6879	to discredit it entirely, repeatedly exclaiming, “This must be false!
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6880	This cannot be! This must be the grossest falsehood!”--and when she had
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6881	gone through the whole letter, though scarcely knowing anything of the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6882	last page or two, put it hastily away, protesting that she would not
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6883	regard it, that she would never look in it again.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6884
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6885	In this perturbed state of mind, with thoughts that could rest on
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6886	nothing, she walked on; but it would not do; in half a minute the letter
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6887	was unfolded again, and collecting herself as well as she could, she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6888	again began the mortifying perusal of all that related to Wickham, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6889	commanded herself so far as to examine the meaning of every sentence.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6890	The account of his connection with the Pemberley family was exactly what
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6891	he had related himself; and the kindness of the late Mr. Darcy, though
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6892	she had not before known its extent, agreed equally well with his own
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6893	words. So far each recital confirmed the other; but when she came to the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6894	will, the difference was great. What Wickham had said of the living
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6895	was fresh in her memory, and as she recalled his very words, it was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6896	impossible not to feel that there was gross duplicity on one side or the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6897	other; and, for a few moments, she flattered herself that her wishes did
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6898	not err. But when she read and re-read with the closest attention, the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6899	particulars immediately following of Wickham’s resigning all pretensions
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6900	to the living, of his receiving in lieu so considerable a sum as three
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6901	thousand pounds, again was she forced to hesitate. She put down
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6902	the letter, weighed every circumstance with what she meant to be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6903	impartiality--deliberated on the probability of each statement--but with
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6904	little success. On both sides it was only assertion. Again she read
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6905	on; but every line proved more clearly that the affair, which she had
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6906	believed it impossible that any contrivance could so represent as to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6907	render Mr. Darcy’s conduct in it less than infamous, was capable of a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6908	turn which must make him entirely blameless throughout the whole.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6909
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6910	The extravagance and general profligacy which he scrupled not to lay at
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6911	Mr. Wickham’s charge, exceedingly shocked her; the more so, as she could
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6912	bring no proof of its injustice. She had never heard of him before his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6913	entrance into the ----shire Militia, in which he had engaged at the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6914	persuasion of the young man who, on meeting him accidentally in town,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6915	had there renewed a slight acquaintance. Of his former way of life
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6916	nothing had been known in Hertfordshire but what he told himself. As
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6917	to his real character, had information been in her power, she had
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6918	never felt a wish of inquiring. His countenance, voice, and manner had
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6919	established him at once in the possession of every virtue. She tried
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6920	to recollect some instance of goodness, some distinguished trait of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6921	integrity or benevolence, that might rescue him from the attacks of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6922	Mr. Darcy; or at least, by the predominance of virtue, atone for those
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6923	casual errors under which she would endeavour to class what Mr. Darcy
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6924	had described as the idleness and vice of many years’ continuance. But
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6925	no such recollection befriended her. She could see him instantly before
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6926	her, in every charm of air and address; but she could remember no more
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6927	substantial good than the general approbation of the neighbourhood, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6928	the regard which his social powers had gained him in the mess. After
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6929	pausing on this point a considerable while, she once more continued to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6930	read. But, alas! the story which followed, of his designs on Miss
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6931	Darcy, received some confirmation from what had passed between Colonel
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6932	Fitzwilliam and herself only the morning before; and at last she was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6933	referred for the truth of every particular to Colonel Fitzwilliam
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6934	himself--from whom she had previously received the information of his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6935	near concern in all his cousin’s affairs, and whose character she had no
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6936	reason to question. At one time she had almost resolved on applying to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6937	him, but the idea was checked by the awkwardness of the application, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6938	at length wholly banished by the conviction that Mr. Darcy would never
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6939	have hazarded such a proposal, if he had not been well assured of his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6940	cousin’s corroboration.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6941
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6942	She perfectly remembered everything that had passed in conversation
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6943	between Wickham and herself, in their first evening at Mr. Phillips’s.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6944	Many of his expressions were still fresh in her memory. She was _now_
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6945	struck with the impropriety of such communications to a stranger, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6946	wondered it had escaped her before. She saw the indelicacy of putting
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6947	himself forward as he had done, and the inconsistency of his professions
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6948	with his conduct. She remembered that he had boasted of having no fear
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6949	of seeing Mr. Darcy--that Mr. Darcy might leave the country, but that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6950	_he_ should stand his ground; yet he had avoided the Netherfield ball
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6951	the very next week. She remembered also that, till the Netherfield
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6952	family had quitted the country, he had told his story to no one but
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6953	herself; but that after their removal it had been everywhere discussed;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6954	that he had then no reserves, no scruples in sinking Mr. Darcy’s
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6955	character, though he had assured her that respect for the father would
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6956	always prevent his exposing the son.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6957
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6958	How differently did everything now appear in which he was concerned!
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6959	His attentions to Miss King were now the consequence of views solely and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6960	hatefully mercenary; and the mediocrity of her fortune proved no longer
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6961	the moderation of his wishes, but his eagerness to grasp at anything.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6962	His behaviour to herself could now have had no tolerable motive; he had
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6963	either been deceived with regard to her fortune, or had been gratifying
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6964	his vanity by encouraging the preference which she believed she had most
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6965	incautiously shown. Every lingering struggle in his favour grew fainter
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6966	and fainter; and in farther justification of Mr. Darcy, she could not
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6967	but allow that Mr. Bingley, when questioned by Jane, had long ago
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6968	asserted his blamelessness in the affair; that proud and repulsive as
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6969	were his manners, she had never, in the whole course of their
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6970	acquaintance--an acquaintance which had latterly brought them much
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6971	together, and given her a sort of intimacy with his ways--seen anything
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6972	that betrayed him to be unprincipled or unjust--anything that spoke him
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6973	of irreligious or immoral habits; that among his own connections he was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6974	esteemed and valued--that even Wickham had allowed him merit as a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6975	brother, and that she had often heard him speak so affectionately of his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6976	sister as to prove him capable of _some_ amiable feeling; that had his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6977	actions been what Mr. Wickham represented them, so gross a violation of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6978	everything right could hardly have been concealed from the world; and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6979	that friendship between a person capable of it, and such an amiable man
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6980	as Mr. Bingley, was incomprehensible.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6981
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6982	She grew absolutely ashamed of herself. Of neither Darcy nor Wickham
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6983	could she think without feeling she had been blind, partial, prejudiced,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6984	absurd.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6985
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6986	“How despicably I have acted!” she cried; “I, who have prided myself
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6987	on my discernment! I, who have valued myself on my abilities! who have
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6988	often disdained the generous candour of my sister, and gratified
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6989	my vanity in useless or blameable mistrust! How humiliating is this
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6990	discovery! Yet, how just a humiliation! Had I been in love, I could
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6991	not have been more wretchedly blind! But vanity, not love, has been my
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6992	folly. Pleased with the preference of one, and offended by the neglect
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6993	of the other, on the very beginning of our acquaintance, I have courted
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6994	prepossession and ignorance, and driven reason away, where either were
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6995	concerned. Till this moment I never knew myself.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6996
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6997	From herself to Jane--from Jane to Bingley, her thoughts were in a line
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6998	which soon brought to her recollection that Mr. Darcy’s explanation
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	6999	_there_ had appeared very insufficient, and she read it again. Widely
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7000	different was the effect of a second perusal. How could she deny that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7001	credit to his assertions in one instance, which she had been obliged to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7002	give in the other? He declared himself to be totally unsuspicious of her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7003	sister’s attachment; and she could not help remembering what Charlotte’s
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7004	opinion had always been. Neither could she deny the justice of his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7005	description of Jane. She felt that Jane’s feelings, though fervent, were
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7006	little displayed, and that there was a constant complacency in her air
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7007	and manner not often united with great sensibility.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7008
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7009	When she came to that part of the letter in which her family were
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7010	mentioned in terms of such mortifying, yet merited reproach, her sense
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7011	of shame was severe. The justice of the charge struck her too forcibly
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7012	for denial, and the circumstances to which he particularly alluded as
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7013	having passed at the Netherfield ball, and as confirming all his first
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7014	disapprobation, could not have made a stronger impression on his mind
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7015	than on hers.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7016
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7017	The compliment to herself and her sister was not unfelt. It soothed,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7018	but it could not console her for the contempt which had thus been
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7019	self-attracted by the rest of her family; and as she considered
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7020	that Jane’s disappointment had in fact been the work of her nearest
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7021	relations, and reflected how materially the credit of both must be hurt
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7022	by such impropriety of conduct, she felt depressed beyond anything she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7023	had ever known before.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7024
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7025	After wandering along the lane for two hours, giving way to every
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7026	variety of thought--re-considering events, determining probabilities,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7027	and reconciling herself, as well as she could, to a change so sudden and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7028	so important, fatigue, and a recollection of her long absence, made
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7029	her at length return home; and she entered the house with the wish
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7030	of appearing cheerful as usual, and the resolution of repressing such
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7031	reflections as must make her unfit for conversation.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7032
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7033	She was immediately told that the two gentlemen from Rosings had each
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7034	called during her absence; Mr. Darcy, only for a few minutes, to take
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7035	leave--but that Colonel Fitzwilliam had been sitting with them at least
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7036	an hour, hoping for her return, and almost resolving to walk after her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7037	till she could be found. Elizabeth could but just _affect_ concern
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7038	in missing him; she really rejoiced at it. Colonel Fitzwilliam was no
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7039	longer an object; she could think only of her letter.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7040
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7041
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7042
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7043	Chapter 37
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7044
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7045
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7046	The two gentlemen left Rosings the next morning, and Mr. Collins having
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7047	been in waiting near the lodges, to make them his parting obeisance, was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7048	able to bring home the pleasing intelligence, of their appearing in very
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7049	good health, and in as tolerable spirits as could be expected, after the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7050	melancholy scene so lately gone through at Rosings. To Rosings he then
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7051	hastened, to console Lady Catherine and her daughter; and on his return
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7052	brought back, with great satisfaction, a message from her ladyship,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7053	importing that she felt herself so dull as to make her very desirous of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7054	having them all to dine with her.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7055
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7056	Elizabeth could not see Lady Catherine without recollecting that, had
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7057	she chosen it, she might by this time have been presented to her as
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7058	her future niece; nor could she think, without a smile, of what her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7059	ladyship’s indignation would have been. “What would she have said? how
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7060	would she have behaved?” were questions with which she amused herself.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7061
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7062	Their first subject was the diminution of the Rosings party. “I assure
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7063	you, I feel it exceedingly,” said Lady Catherine; “I believe no one
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7064	feels the loss of friends so much as I do. But I am particularly
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7065	attached to these young men, and know them to be so much attached to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7066	me! They were excessively sorry to go! But so they always are. The
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7067	dear Colonel rallied his spirits tolerably till just at last; but Darcy
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7068	seemed to feel it most acutely, more, I think, than last year. His
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7069	attachment to Rosings certainly increases.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7070
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7071	Mr. Collins had a compliment, and an allusion to throw in here, which
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7072	were kindly smiled on by the mother and daughter.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7073
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7074	Lady Catherine observed, after dinner, that Miss Bennet seemed out of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7075	spirits, and immediately accounting for it by herself, by supposing that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7076	she did not like to go home again so soon, she added:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7077
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7078	“But if that is the case, you must write to your mother and beg that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7079	you may stay a little longer. Mrs. Collins will be very glad of your
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7080	company, I am sure.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7081
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7082	“I am much obliged to your ladyship for your kind invitation,” replied
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7083	Elizabeth, “but it is not in my power to accept it. I must be in town
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7084	next Saturday.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7085
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7086	“Why, at that rate, you will have been here only six weeks. I expected
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7087	you to stay two months. I told Mrs. Collins so before you came. There
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7088	can be no occasion for your going so soon. Mrs. Bennet could certainly
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7089	spare you for another fortnight.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7090
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7091	“But my father cannot. He wrote last week to hurry my return.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7092
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7093	“Oh! your father of course may spare you, if your mother can. Daughters
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7094	are never of so much consequence to a father. And if you will stay
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7095	another _month_ complete, it will be in my power to take one of you as
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7096	far as London, for I am going there early in June, for a week; and as
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7097	Dawson does not object to the barouche-box, there will be very good room
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7098	for one of you--and indeed, if the weather should happen to be cool, I
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7099	should not object to taking you both, as you are neither of you large.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7100
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7101	“You are all kindness, madam; but I believe we must abide by our
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7102	original plan.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7103
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7104	Lady Catherine seemed resigned. “Mrs. Collins, you must send a servant
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7105	with them. You know I always speak my mind, and I cannot bear the idea
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7106	of two young women travelling post by themselves. It is highly improper.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7107	You must contrive to send somebody. I have the greatest dislike in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7108	the world to that sort of thing. Young women should always be properly
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7109	guarded and attended, according to their situation in life. When my
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7110	niece Georgiana went to Ramsgate last summer, I made a point of her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7111	having two men-servants go with her. Miss Darcy, the daughter of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7112	Mr. Darcy, of Pemberley, and Lady Anne, could not have appeared with
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7113	propriety in a different manner. I am excessively attentive to all those
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7114	things. You must send John with the young ladies, Mrs. Collins. I
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7115	am glad it occurred to me to mention it; for it would really be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7116	discreditable to _you_ to let them go alone.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7117
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7118	“My uncle is to send a servant for us.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7119
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7120	“Oh! Your uncle! He keeps a man-servant, does he? I am very glad you
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7121	have somebody who thinks of these things. Where shall you change horses?
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7122	Oh! Bromley, of course. If you mention my name at the Bell, you will be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7123	attended to.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7124
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7125	Lady Catherine had many other questions to ask respecting their journey,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7126	and as she did not answer them all herself, attention was necessary,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7127	which Elizabeth believed to be lucky for her; or, with a mind so
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7128	occupied, she might have forgotten where she was. Reflection must be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7129	reserved for solitary hours; whenever she was alone, she gave way to it
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7130	as the greatest relief; and not a day went by without a solitary
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7131	walk, in which she might indulge in all the delight of unpleasant
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7132	recollections.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7133
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7134	Mr. Darcy’s letter she was in a fair way of soon knowing by heart. She
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7135	studied every sentence; and her feelings towards its writer were at
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7136	times widely different. When she remembered the style of his address,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7137	she was still full of indignation; but when she considered how unjustly
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7138	she had condemned and upbraided him, her anger was turned against
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7139	herself; and his disappointed feelings became the object of compassion.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7140	His attachment excited gratitude, his general character respect; but she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7141	could not approve him; nor could she for a moment repent her refusal,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7142	or feel the slightest inclination ever to see him again. In her own past
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7143	behaviour, there was a constant source of vexation and regret; and in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7144	the unhappy defects of her family, a subject of yet heavier chagrin.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7145	They were hopeless of remedy. Her father, contented with laughing at
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7146	them, would never exert himself to restrain the wild giddiness of his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7147	youngest daughters; and her mother, with manners so far from right
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7148	herself, was entirely insensible of the evil. Elizabeth had frequently
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7149	united with Jane in an endeavour to check the imprudence of Catherine
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7150	and Lydia; but while they were supported by their mother’s indulgence,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7151	what chance could there be of improvement? Catherine, weak-spirited,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7152	irritable, and completely under Lydia’s guidance, had been always
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7153	affronted by their advice; and Lydia, self-willed and careless, would
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7154	scarcely give them a hearing. They were ignorant, idle, and vain. While
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7155	there was an officer in Meryton, they would flirt with him; and while
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7156	Meryton was within a walk of Longbourn, they would be going there
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7157	forever.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7158
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7159	Anxiety on Jane’s behalf was another prevailing concern; and Mr. Darcy’s
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7160	explanation, by restoring Bingley to all her former good opinion,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7161	heightened the sense of what Jane had lost. His affection was proved
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7162	to have been sincere, and his conduct cleared of all blame, unless any
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7163	could attach to the implicitness of his confidence in his friend. How
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7164	grievous then was the thought that, of a situation so desirable in every
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7165	respect, so replete with advantage, so promising for happiness, Jane had
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7166	been deprived, by the folly and indecorum of her own family!
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7167
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7168	When to these recollections was added the development of Wickham’s
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7169	character, it may be easily believed that the happy spirits which had
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7170	seldom been depressed before, were now so much affected as to make it
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7171	almost impossible for her to appear tolerably cheerful.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7172
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7173	Their engagements at Rosings were as frequent during the last week of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7174	her stay as they had been at first. The very last evening was spent
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7175	there; and her ladyship again inquired minutely into the particulars of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7176	their journey, gave them directions as to the best method of packing,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7177	and was so urgent on the necessity of placing gowns in the only right
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7178	way, that Maria thought herself obliged, on her return, to undo all the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7179	work of the morning, and pack her trunk afresh.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7180
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7181	When they parted, Lady Catherine, with great condescension, wished them
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7182	a good journey, and invited them to come to Hunsford again next year;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7183	and Miss de Bourgh exerted herself so far as to curtsey and hold out her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7184	hand to both.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7185
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7186
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7187
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7188	Chapter 38
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7189
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7190
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7191	On Saturday morning Elizabeth and Mr. Collins met for breakfast a few
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7192	minutes before the others appeared; and he took the opportunity of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7193	paying the parting civilities which he deemed indispensably necessary.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7194
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7195	“I know not, Miss Elizabeth,” said he, “whether Mrs. Collins has yet
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7196	expressed her sense of your kindness in coming to us; but I am very
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7197	certain you will not leave the house without receiving her thanks for
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7198	it. The favour of your company has been much felt, I assure you. We
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7199	know how little there is to tempt anyone to our humble abode. Our plain
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7200	manner of living, our small rooms and few domestics, and the little we
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7201	see of the world, must make Hunsford extremely dull to a young lady like
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7202	yourself; but I hope you will believe us grateful for the condescension,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7203	and that we have done everything in our power to prevent your spending
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7204	your time unpleasantly.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7205
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7206	Elizabeth was eager with her thanks and assurances of happiness. She
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7207	had spent six weeks with great enjoyment; and the pleasure of being with
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7208	Charlotte, and the kind attentions she had received, must make _her_
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7209	feel the obliged. Mr. Collins was gratified, and with a more smiling
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7210	solemnity replied:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7211
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7212	“It gives me great pleasure to hear that you have passed your time not
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7213	disagreeably. We have certainly done our best; and most fortunately
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7214	having it in our power to introduce you to very superior society, and,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7215	from our connection with Rosings, the frequent means of varying the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7216	humble home scene, I think we may flatter ourselves that your Hunsford
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7217	visit cannot have been entirely irksome. Our situation with regard to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7218	Lady Catherine’s family is indeed the sort of extraordinary advantage
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7219	and blessing which few can boast. You see on what a footing we are. You
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7220	see how continually we are engaged there. In truth I must acknowledge
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7221	that, with all the disadvantages of this humble parsonage, I should
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7222	not think anyone abiding in it an object of compassion, while they are
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7223	sharers of our intimacy at Rosings.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7224
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7225	Words were insufficient for the elevation of his feelings; and he was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7226	obliged to walk about the room, while Elizabeth tried to unite civility
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7227	and truth in a few short sentences.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7228
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7229	“You may, in fact, carry a very favourable report of us into
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7230	Hertfordshire, my dear cousin. I flatter myself at least that you will
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7231	be able to do so. Lady Catherine’s great attentions to Mrs. Collins you
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7232	have been a daily witness of; and altogether I trust it does not appear
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7233	that your friend has drawn an unfortunate--but on this point it will be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7234	as well to be silent. Only let me assure you, my dear Miss Elizabeth,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7235	that I can from my heart most cordially wish you equal felicity in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7236	marriage. My dear Charlotte and I have but one mind and one way of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7237	thinking. There is in everything a most remarkable resemblance of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7238	character and ideas between us. We seem to have been designed for each
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7239	other.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7240
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7241	Elizabeth could safely say that it was a great happiness where that was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7242	the case, and with equal sincerity could add, that she firmly believed
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7243	and rejoiced in his domestic comforts. She was not sorry, however, to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7244	have the recital of them interrupted by the lady from whom they sprang.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7245	Poor Charlotte! it was melancholy to leave her to such society! But she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7246	had chosen it with her eyes open; and though evidently regretting that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7247	her visitors were to go, she did not seem to ask for compassion. Her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7248	home and her housekeeping, her parish and her poultry, and all their
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7249	dependent concerns, had not yet lost their charms.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7250
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7251	At length the chaise arrived, the trunks were fastened on, the parcels
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7252	placed within, and it was pronounced to be ready. After an affectionate
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7253	parting between the friends, Elizabeth was attended to the carriage by
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7254	Mr. Collins, and as they walked down the garden he was commissioning her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7255	with his best respects to all her family, not forgetting his thanks
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7256	for the kindness he had received at Longbourn in the winter, and his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7257	compliments to Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner, though unknown. He then handed her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7258	in, Maria followed, and the door was on the point of being closed,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7259	when he suddenly reminded them, with some consternation, that they had
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7260	hitherto forgotten to leave any message for the ladies at Rosings.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7261
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7262	“But,” he added, “you will of course wish to have your humble respects
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7263	delivered to them, with your grateful thanks for their kindness to you
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7264	while you have been here.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7265
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7266	Elizabeth made no objection; the door was then allowed to be shut, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7267	the carriage drove off.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7268
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7269	“Good gracious!” cried Maria, after a few minutes’ silence, “it seems
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7270	but a day or two since we first came! and yet how many things have
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7271	happened!”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7272
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7273	“A great many indeed,” said her companion with a sigh.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7274
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7275	“We have dined nine times at Rosings, besides drinking tea there twice!
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7276	How much I shall have to tell!”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7277
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7278	Elizabeth added privately, “And how much I shall have to conceal!”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7279
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7280	Their journey was performed without much conversation, or any alarm; and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7281	within four hours of their leaving Hunsford they reached Mr. Gardiner’s
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7282	house, where they were to remain a few days.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7283
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7284	Jane looked well, and Elizabeth had little opportunity of studying her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7285	spirits, amidst the various engagements which the kindness of her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7286	aunt had reserved for them. But Jane was to go home with her, and at
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7287	Longbourn there would be leisure enough for observation.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7288
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7289	It was not without an effort, meanwhile, that she could wait even for
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7290	Longbourn, before she told her sister of Mr. Darcy’s proposals. To know
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7291	that she had the power of revealing what would so exceedingly astonish
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7292	Jane, and must, at the same time, so highly gratify whatever of her own
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7293	vanity she had not yet been able to reason away, was such a temptation
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7294	to openness as nothing could have conquered but the state of indecision
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7295	in which she remained as to the extent of what she should communicate;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7296	and her fear, if she once entered on the subject, of being hurried
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7297	into repeating something of Bingley which might only grieve her sister
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7298	further.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7299
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7300
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7301
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7302	Chapter 39
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7303
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7304
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7305	It was the second week in May, in which the three young ladies set out
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7306	together from Gracechurch Street for the town of ----, in Hertfordshire;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7307	and, as they drew near the appointed inn where Mr. Bennet’s carriage
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7308	was to meet them, they quickly perceived, in token of the coachman’s
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7309	punctuality, both Kitty and Lydia looking out of a dining-room up stairs.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7310	These two girls had been above an hour in the place, happily employed
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7311	in visiting an opposite milliner, watching the sentinel on guard, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7312	dressing a salad and cucumber.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7313
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7314	After welcoming their sisters, they triumphantly displayed a table set
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7315	out with such cold meat as an inn larder usually affords, exclaiming,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7316	“Is not this nice? Is not this an agreeable surprise?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7317
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7318	“And we mean to treat you all,” added Lydia, “but you must lend us the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7319	money, for we have just spent ours at the shop out there.” Then, showing
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7320	her purchases--“Look here, I have bought this bonnet. I do not think
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7321	it is very pretty; but I thought I might as well buy it as not. I shall
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7322	pull it to pieces as soon as I get home, and see if I can make it up any
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7323	better.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7324
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7325	And when her sisters abused it as ugly, she added, with perfect
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7326	unconcern, “Oh! but there were two or three much uglier in the shop; and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7327	when I have bought some prettier-coloured satin to trim it with fresh, I
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7328	think it will be very tolerable. Besides, it will not much signify what
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7329	one wears this summer, after the ----shire have left Meryton, and they
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7330	are going in a fortnight.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7331
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7332	“Are they indeed!” cried Elizabeth, with the greatest satisfaction.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7333
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7334	“They are going to be encamped near Brighton; and I do so want papa to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7335	take us all there for the summer! It would be such a delicious scheme;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7336	and I dare say would hardly cost anything at all. Mamma would like to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7337	go too of all things! Only think what a miserable summer else we shall
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7338	have!”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7339
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7340	“Yes,” thought Elizabeth, “_that_ would be a delightful scheme indeed,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7341	and completely do for us at once. Good Heaven! Brighton, and a whole
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7342	campful of soldiers, to us, who have been overset already by one poor
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7343	regiment of militia, and the monthly balls of Meryton!”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7344
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7345	“Now I have got some news for you,” said Lydia, as they sat down at
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7346	table. “What do you think? It is excellent news--capital news--and about
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7347	a certain person we all like!”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7348
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7349	Jane and Elizabeth looked at each other, and the waiter was told he need
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7350	not stay. Lydia laughed, and said:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7351
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7352	“Aye, that is just like your formality and discretion. You thought the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7353	waiter must not hear, as if he cared! I dare say he often hears worse
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7354	things said than I am going to say. But he is an ugly fellow! I am glad
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7355	he is gone. I never saw such a long chin in my life. Well, but now for
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7356	my news; it is about dear Wickham; too good for the waiter, is it not?
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7357	There is no danger of Wickham’s marrying Mary King. There’s for you! She
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7358	is gone down to her uncle at Liverpool: gone to stay. Wickham is safe.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7359
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7360	“And Mary King is safe!” added Elizabeth; “safe from a connection
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7361	imprudent as to fortune.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7362
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7363	“She is a great fool for going away, if she liked him.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7364
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7365	“But I hope there is no strong attachment on either side,” said Jane.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7366
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7367	“I am sure there is not on _his_. I will answer for it, he never cared
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7368	three straws about her--who could about such a nasty little freckled
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7369	thing?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7370
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7371	Elizabeth was shocked to think that, however incapable of such
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7372	coarseness of _expression_ herself, the coarseness of the _sentiment_
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7373	was little other than her own breast had harboured and fancied liberal!
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7374
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7375	As soon as all had ate, and the elder ones paid, the carriage was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7376	ordered; and after some contrivance, the whole party, with all their
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7377	boxes, work-bags, and parcels, and the unwelcome addition of Kitty’s and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7378	Lydia’s purchases, were seated in it.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7379
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7380	“How nicely we are all crammed in,” cried Lydia. “I am glad I bought my
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7381	bonnet, if it is only for the fun of having another bandbox! Well, now
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7382	let us be quite comfortable and snug, and talk and laugh all the way
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7383	home. And in the first place, let us hear what has happened to you all
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7384	since you went away. Have you seen any pleasant men? Have you had any
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7385	flirting? I was in great hopes that one of you would have got a husband
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7386	before you came back. Jane will be quite an old maid soon, I declare.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7387	She is almost three-and-twenty! Lord, how ashamed I should be of not
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7388	being married before three-and-twenty! My aunt Phillips wants you so to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7389	get husbands, you can’t think. She says Lizzy had better have taken Mr.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7390	Collins; but _I_ do not think there would have been any fun in it. Lord!
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7391	how I should like to be married before any of you; and then I would
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7392	chaperon you about to all the balls. Dear me! we had such a good piece
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7393	of fun the other day at Colonel Forster’s. Kitty and me were to spend
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7394	the day there, and Mrs. Forster promised to have a little dance in the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7395	evening; (by the bye, Mrs. Forster and me are _such_ friends!) and so
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7396	she asked the two Harringtons to come, but Harriet was ill, and so Pen
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7397	was forced to come by herself; and then, what do you think we did? We
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7398	dressed up Chamberlayne in woman’s clothes on purpose to pass for a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7399	lady, only think what fun! Not a soul knew of it, but Colonel and Mrs.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7400	Forster, and Kitty and me, except my aunt, for we were forced to borrow
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7401	one of her gowns; and you cannot imagine how well he looked! When Denny,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7402	and Wickham, and Pratt, and two or three more of the men came in, they
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7403	did not know him in the least. Lord! how I laughed! and so did Mrs.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7404	Forster. I thought I should have died. And _that_ made the men suspect
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7405	something, and then they soon found out what was the matter.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7406
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7407	With such kinds of histories of their parties and good jokes, did
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7408	Lydia, assisted by Kitty’s hints and additions, endeavour to amuse her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7409	companions all the way to Longbourn. Elizabeth listened as little as she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7410	could, but there was no escaping the frequent mention of Wickham’s name.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7411
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7412	Their reception at home was most kind. Mrs. Bennet rejoiced to see Jane
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7413	in undiminished beauty; and more than once during dinner did Mr. Bennet
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7414	say voluntarily to Elizabeth:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7415
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7416	“I am glad you are come back, Lizzy.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7417
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7418	Their party in the dining-room was large, for almost all the Lucases
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7419	came to meet Maria and hear the news; and various were the subjects that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7420	occupied them: Lady Lucas was inquiring of Maria, after the welfare and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7421	poultry of her eldest daughter; Mrs. Bennet was doubly engaged, on one
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7422	hand collecting an account of the present fashions from Jane, who sat
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7423	some way below her, and, on the other, retailing them all to the younger
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7424	Lucases; and Lydia, in a voice rather louder than any other person’s,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7425	was enumerating the various pleasures of the morning to anybody who
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7426	would hear her.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7427
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7428	“Oh! Mary,” said she, “I wish you had gone with us, for we had such fun!
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7429	As we went along, Kitty and I drew up the blinds, and pretended there
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7430	was nobody in the coach; and I should have gone so all the way, if Kitty
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7431	had not been sick; and when we got to the George, I do think we behaved
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7432	very handsomely, for we treated the other three with the nicest cold
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7433	luncheon in the world, and if you would have gone, we would have treated
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7434	you too. And then when we came away it was such fun! I thought we never
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7435	should have got into the coach. I was ready to die of laughter. And then
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7436	we were so merry all the way home! we talked and laughed so loud, that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7437	anybody might have heard us ten miles off!”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7438
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7439	To this Mary very gravely replied, “Far be it from me, my dear sister,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7440	to depreciate such pleasures! They would doubtless be congenial with the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7441	generality of female minds. But I confess they would have no charms for
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7442	_me_--I should infinitely prefer a book.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7443
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7444	But of this answer Lydia heard not a word. She seldom listened to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7445	anybody for more than half a minute, and never attended to Mary at all.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7446
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7447	In the afternoon Lydia was urgent with the rest of the girls to walk
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7448	to Meryton, and to see how everybody went on; but Elizabeth steadily
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7449	opposed the scheme. It should not be said that the Miss Bennets could
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7450	not be at home half a day before they were in pursuit of the officers.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7451	There was another reason too for her opposition. She dreaded seeing Mr.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7452	Wickham again, and was resolved to avoid it as long as possible. The
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7453	comfort to _her_ of the regiment’s approaching removal was indeed beyond
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7454	expression. In a fortnight they were to go--and once gone, she hoped
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7455	there could be nothing more to plague her on his account.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7456
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7457	She had not been many hours at home before she found that the Brighton
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7458	scheme, of which Lydia had given them a hint at the inn, was under
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7459	frequent discussion between her parents. Elizabeth saw directly that her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7460	father had not the smallest intention of yielding; but his answers were
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7461	at the same time so vague and equivocal, that her mother, though often
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7462	disheartened, had never yet despaired of succeeding at last.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7463
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7464
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7465
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7466	Chapter 40
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7467
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7468
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7469	Elizabeth’s impatience to acquaint Jane with what had happened could
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7470	no longer be overcome; and at length, resolving to suppress every
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7471	particular in which her sister was concerned, and preparing her to be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7472	surprised, she related to her the next morning the chief of the scene
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7473	between Mr. Darcy and herself.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7474
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7475	Miss Bennet’s astonishment was soon lessened by the strong sisterly
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7476	partiality which made any admiration of Elizabeth appear perfectly
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7477	natural; and all surprise was shortly lost in other feelings. She was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7478	sorry that Mr. Darcy should have delivered his sentiments in a manner so
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7479	little suited to recommend them; but still more was she grieved for the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7480	unhappiness which her sister’s refusal must have given him.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7481
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7482	“His being so sure of succeeding was wrong,” said she, “and certainly
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7483	ought not to have appeared; but consider how much it must increase his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7484	disappointment!”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7485
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7486	“Indeed,” replied Elizabeth, “I am heartily sorry for him; but he has
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7487	other feelings, which will probably soon drive away his regard for me.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7488	You do not blame me, however, for refusing him?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7489
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7490	“Blame you! Oh, no.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7491
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7492	“But you blame me for having spoken so warmly of Wickham?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7493
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7494	“No--I do not know that you were wrong in saying what you did.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7495
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7496	“But you _will_ know it, when I tell you what happened the very next
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7497	day.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7498
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7499	She then spoke of the letter, repeating the whole of its contents as far
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7500	as they concerned George Wickham. What a stroke was this for poor Jane!
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7501	who would willingly have gone through the world without believing that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7502	so much wickedness existed in the whole race of mankind, as was here
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7503	collected in one individual. Nor was Darcy’s vindication, though
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7504	grateful to her feelings, capable of consoling her for such discovery.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7505	Most earnestly did she labour to prove the probability of error, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7506	seek to clear the one without involving the other.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7507
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7508	“This will not do,” said Elizabeth; “you never will be able to make both
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7509	of them good for anything. Take your choice, but you must be satisfied
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7510	with only one. There is but such a quantity of merit between them; just
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7511	enough to make one good sort of man; and of late it has been shifting
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7512	about pretty much. For my part, I am inclined to believe it all Darcy’s;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7513	but you shall do as you choose.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7514
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7515	It was some time, however, before a smile could be extorted from Jane.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7516
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7517	“I do not know when I have been more shocked,” said she. “Wickham so
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7518	very bad! It is almost past belief. And poor Mr. Darcy! Dear Lizzy, only
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7519	consider what he must have suffered. Such a disappointment! and with the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7520	knowledge of your ill opinion, too! and having to relate such a thing
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7521	of his sister! It is really too distressing. I am sure you must feel it
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7522	so.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7523
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7524	“Oh! no, my regret and compassion are all done away by seeing you so
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7525	full of both. I know you will do him such ample justice, that I am
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7526	growing every moment more unconcerned and indifferent. Your profusion
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7527	makes me saving; and if you lament over him much longer, my heart will
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7528	be as light as a feather.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7529
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7530	“Poor Wickham! there is such an expression of goodness in his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7531	countenance! such an openness and gentleness in his manner!”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7532
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7533	“There certainly was some great mismanagement in the education of those
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7534	two young men. One has got all the goodness, and the other all the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7535	appearance of it.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7536
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7537	“I never thought Mr. Darcy so deficient in the _appearance_ of it as you
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7538	used to do.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7539
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7540	“And yet I meant to be uncommonly clever in taking so decided a dislike
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7541	to him, without any reason. It is such a spur to one’s genius, such an
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7542	opening for wit, to have a dislike of that kind. One may be continually
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7543	abusive without saying anything just; but one cannot always be laughing
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7544	at a man without now and then stumbling on something witty.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7545
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7546	“Lizzy, when you first read that letter, I am sure you could not treat
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7547	the matter as you do now.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7548
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7549	“Indeed, I could not. I was uncomfortable enough, I may say unhappy. And
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7550	with no one to speak to about what I felt, no Jane to comfort me and say
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7551	that I had not been so very weak and vain and nonsensical as I knew I
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7552	had! Oh! how I wanted you!”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7553
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7554	“How unfortunate that you should have used such very strong expressions
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7555	in speaking of Wickham to Mr. Darcy, for now they _do_ appear wholly
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7556	undeserved.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7557
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7558	“Certainly. But the misfortune of speaking with bitterness is a most
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7559	natural consequence of the prejudices I had been encouraging. There
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7560	is one point on which I want your advice. I want to be told whether I
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7561	ought, or ought not, to make our acquaintances in general understand
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7562	Wickham’s character.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7563
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7564	Miss Bennet paused a little, and then replied, “Surely there can be no
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7565	occasion for exposing him so dreadfully. What is your opinion?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7566
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7567	“That it ought not to be attempted. Mr. Darcy has not authorised me
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7568	to make his communication public. On the contrary, every particular
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7569	relative to his sister was meant to be kept as much as possible to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7570	myself; and if I endeavour to undeceive people as to the rest of his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7571	conduct, who will believe me? The general prejudice against Mr. Darcy
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7572	is so violent, that it would be the death of half the good people in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7573	Meryton to attempt to place him in an amiable light. I am not equal
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7574	to it. Wickham will soon be gone; and therefore it will not signify to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7575	anyone here what he really is. Some time hence it will be all found out,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7576	and then we may laugh at their stupidity in not knowing it before. At
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7577	present I will say nothing about it.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7578
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7579	“You are quite right. To have his errors made public might ruin him for
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7580	ever. He is now, perhaps, sorry for what he has done, and anxious to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7581	re-establish a character. We must not make him desperate.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7582
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7583	The tumult of Elizabeth’s mind was allayed by this conversation. She had
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7584	got rid of two of the secrets which had weighed on her for a fortnight,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7585	and was certain of a willing listener in Jane, whenever she might wish
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7586	to talk again of either. But there was still something lurking behind,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7587	of which prudence forbade the disclosure. She dared not relate the other
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7588	half of Mr. Darcy’s letter, nor explain to her sister how sincerely she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7589	had been valued by her friend. Here was knowledge in which no one
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7590	could partake; and she was sensible that nothing less than a perfect
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7591	understanding between the parties could justify her in throwing off
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7592	this last encumbrance of mystery. “And then,” said she, “if that very
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7593	improbable event should ever take place, I shall merely be able to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7594	tell what Bingley may tell in a much more agreeable manner himself. The
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7595	liberty of communication cannot be mine till it has lost all its value!”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7596
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7597	She was now, on being settled at home, at leisure to observe the real
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7598	state of her sister’s spirits. Jane was not happy. She still cherished a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7599	very tender affection for Bingley. Having never even fancied herself
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7600	in love before, her regard had all the warmth of first attachment,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7601	and, from her age and disposition, greater steadiness than most first
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7602	attachments often boast; and so fervently did she value his remembrance,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7603	and prefer him to every other man, that all her good sense, and all her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7604	attention to the feelings of her friends, were requisite to check the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7605	indulgence of those regrets which must have been injurious to her own
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7606	health and their tranquillity.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7607
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7608	“Well, Lizzy,” said Mrs. Bennet one day, “what is your opinion _now_ of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7609	this sad business of Jane’s? For my part, I am determined never to speak
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7610	of it again to anybody. I told my sister Phillips so the other day. But
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7611	I cannot find out that Jane saw anything of him in London. Well, he is
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7612	a very undeserving young man--and I do not suppose there’s the least
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7613	chance in the world of her ever getting him now. There is no talk of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7614	his coming to Netherfield again in the summer; and I have inquired of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7615	everybody, too, who is likely to know.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7616
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7617	“I do not believe he will ever live at Netherfield any more.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7618
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7619	“Oh well! it is just as he chooses. Nobody wants him to come. Though I
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7620	shall always say he used my daughter extremely ill; and if I was her, I
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7621	would not have put up with it. Well, my comfort is, I am sure Jane will
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7622	die of a broken heart; and then he will be sorry for what he has done.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7623
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7624	But as Elizabeth could not receive comfort from any such expectation,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7625	she made no answer.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7626
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7627	“Well, Lizzy,” continued her mother, soon afterwards, “and so the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7628	Collinses live very comfortable, do they? Well, well, I only hope
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7629	it will last. And what sort of table do they keep? Charlotte is an
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7630	excellent manager, I dare say. If she is half as sharp as her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7631	mother, she is saving enough. There is nothing extravagant in _their_
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7632	housekeeping, I dare say.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7633
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7634	“No, nothing at all.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7635
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7636	“A great deal of good management, depend upon it. Yes, yes, _they_ will
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7637	take care not to outrun their income. _They_ will never be distressed
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7638	for money. Well, much good may it do them! And so, I suppose, they often
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7639	talk of having Longbourn when your father is dead. They look upon it as
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7640	quite their own, I dare say, whenever that happens.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7641
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7642	“It was a subject which they could not mention before me.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7643
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7644	“No; it would have been strange if they had; but I make no doubt they
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7645	often talk of it between themselves. Well, if they can be easy with an
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7646	estate that is not lawfully their own, so much the better. I should be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7647	ashamed of having one that was only entailed on me.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7648
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7649
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7650
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7651	Chapter 41
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7652
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7653
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7654	The first week of their return was soon gone. The second began. It was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7655	the last of the regiment’s stay in Meryton, and all the young ladies
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7656	in the neighbourhood were drooping apace. The dejection was almost
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7657	universal. The elder Miss Bennets alone were still able to eat, drink,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7658	and sleep, and pursue the usual course of their employments. Very
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7659	frequently were they reproached for this insensibility by Kitty and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7660	Lydia, whose own misery was extreme, and who could not comprehend such
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7661	hard-heartedness in any of the family.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7662
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7663	“Good Heaven! what is to become of us? What are we to do?” would they
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7664	often exclaim in the bitterness of woe. “How can you be smiling so,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7665	Lizzy?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7666
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7667	Their affectionate mother shared all their grief; she remembered what
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7668	she had herself endured on a similar occasion, five-and-twenty years
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7669	ago.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7670
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7671	“I am sure,” said she, “I cried for two days together when Colonel
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7672	Miller’s regiment went away. I thought I should have broken my heart.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7673
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7674	“I am sure I shall break _mine_,” said Lydia.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7675
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7676	“If one could but go to Brighton!” observed Mrs. Bennet.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7677
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7678	“Oh, yes!--if one could but go to Brighton! But papa is so
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7679	disagreeable.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7680
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7681	“A little sea-bathing would set me up forever.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7682
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7683	“And my aunt Phillips is sure it would do _me_ a great deal of good,”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7684	added Kitty.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7685
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7686	Such were the kind of lamentations resounding perpetually through
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7687	Longbourn House. Elizabeth tried to be diverted by them; but all sense
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7688	of pleasure was lost in shame. She felt anew the justice of Mr. Darcy’s
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7689	objections; and never had she been so much disposed to pardon his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7690	interference in the views of his friend.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7691
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7692	But the gloom of Lydia’s prospect was shortly cleared away; for she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7693	received an invitation from Mrs. Forster, the wife of the colonel of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7694	the regiment, to accompany her to Brighton. This invaluable friend was a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7695	very young woman, and very lately married. A resemblance in good humour
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7696	and good spirits had recommended her and Lydia to each other, and out of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7697	their _three_ months’ acquaintance they had been intimate _two_.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7698
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7699	The rapture of Lydia on this occasion, her adoration of Mrs. Forster,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7700	the delight of Mrs. Bennet, and the mortification of Kitty, are scarcely
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7701	to be described. Wholly inattentive to her sister’s feelings, Lydia
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7702	flew about the house in restless ecstasy, calling for everyone’s
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7703	congratulations, and laughing and talking with more violence than ever;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7704	whilst the luckless Kitty continued in the parlour repined at her fate
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7705	in terms as unreasonable as her accent was peevish.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7706
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7707	“I cannot see why Mrs. Forster should not ask _me_ as well as Lydia,”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7708	said she, “Though I am _not_ her particular friend. I have just as much
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7709	right to be asked as she has, and more too, for I am two years older.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7710
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7711	In vain did Elizabeth attempt to make her reasonable, and Jane to make
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7712	her resigned. As for Elizabeth herself, this invitation was so far from
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7713	exciting in her the same feelings as in her mother and Lydia, that she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7714	considered it as the death warrant of all possibility of common sense
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7715	for the latter; and detestable as such a step must make her were it
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7716	known, she could not help secretly advising her father not to let her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7717	go. She represented to him all the improprieties of Lydia’s general
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7718	behaviour, the little advantage she could derive from the friendship of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7719	such a woman as Mrs. Forster, and the probability of her being yet more
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7720	imprudent with such a companion at Brighton, where the temptations must
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7721	be greater than at home. He heard her attentively, and then said:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7722
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7723	“Lydia will never be easy until she has exposed herself in some public
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7724	place or other, and we can never expect her to do it with so
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7725	little expense or inconvenience to her family as under the present
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7726	circumstances.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7727
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7728	“If you were aware,” said Elizabeth, “of the very great disadvantage to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7729	us all which must arise from the public notice of Lydia’s unguarded and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7730	imprudent manner--nay, which has already arisen from it, I am sure you
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7731	would judge differently in the affair.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7732
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7733	“Already arisen?” repeated Mr. Bennet. “What, has she frightened away
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7734	some of your lovers? Poor little Lizzy! But do not be cast down. Such
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7735	squeamish youths as cannot bear to be connected with a little absurdity
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7736	are not worth a regret. Come, let me see the list of pitiful fellows who
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7737	have been kept aloof by Lydia’s folly.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7738
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7739	“Indeed you are mistaken. I have no such injuries to resent. It is not
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7740	of particular, but of general evils, which I am now complaining. Our
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7741	importance, our respectability in the world must be affected by the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7742	wild volatility, the assurance and disdain of all restraint which mark
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7743	Lydia’s character. Excuse me, for I must speak plainly. If you, my dear
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7744	father, will not take the trouble of checking her exuberant spirits, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7745	of teaching her that her present pursuits are not to be the business of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7746	her life, she will soon be beyond the reach of amendment. Her character
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7747	will be fixed, and she will, at sixteen, be the most determined flirt
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7748	that ever made herself or her family ridiculous; a flirt, too, in the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7749	worst and meanest degree of flirtation; without any attraction beyond
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7750	youth and a tolerable person; and, from the ignorance and emptiness
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7751	of her mind, wholly unable to ward off any portion of that universal
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7752	contempt which her rage for admiration will excite. In this danger
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7753	Kitty also is comprehended. She will follow wherever Lydia leads. Vain,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7754	ignorant, idle, and absolutely uncontrolled! Oh! my dear father, can you
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7755	suppose it possible that they will not be censured and despised wherever
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7756	they are known, and that their sisters will not be often involved in the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7757	disgrace?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7758
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7759	Mr. Bennet saw that her whole heart was in the subject, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7760	affectionately taking her hand said in reply:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7761
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7762	“Do not make yourself uneasy, my love. Wherever you and Jane are known
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7763	you must be respected and valued; and you will not appear to less
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7764	advantage for having a couple of--or I may say, three--very silly
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7765	sisters. We shall have no peace at Longbourn if Lydia does not go to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7766	Brighton. Let her go, then. Colonel Forster is a sensible man, and will
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7767	keep her out of any real mischief; and she is luckily too poor to be an
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7768	object of prey to anybody. At Brighton she will be of less importance
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7769	even as a common flirt than she has been here. The officers will find
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7770	women better worth their notice. Let us hope, therefore, that her being
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7771	there may teach her her own insignificance. At any rate, she cannot grow
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7772	many degrees worse, without authorising us to lock her up for the rest
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7773	of her life.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7774
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7775	With this answer Elizabeth was forced to be content; but her own opinion
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7776	continued the same, and she left him disappointed and sorry. It was not
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7777	in her nature, however, to increase her vexations by dwelling on
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7778	them. She was confident of having performed her duty, and to fret
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7779	over unavoidable evils, or augment them by anxiety, was no part of her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7780	disposition.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7781
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7782	Had Lydia and her mother known the substance of her conference with her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7783	father, their indignation would hardly have found expression in their
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7784	united volubility. In Lydia’s imagination, a visit to Brighton comprised
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7785	every possibility of earthly happiness. She saw, with the creative eye
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7786	of fancy, the streets of that gay bathing-place covered with officers.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7787	She saw herself the object of attention, to tens and to scores of them
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7788	at present unknown. She saw all the glories of the camp--its tents
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7789	stretched forth in beauteous uniformity of lines, crowded with the young
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7790	and the gay, and dazzling with scarlet; and, to complete the view, she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7791	saw herself seated beneath a tent, tenderly flirting with at least six
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7792	officers at once.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7793
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7794	Had she known her sister sought to tear her from such prospects and such
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7795	realities as these, what would have been her sensations? They could have
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7796	been understood only by her mother, who might have felt nearly the same.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7797	Lydia’s going to Brighton was all that consoled her for her melancholy
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7798	conviction of her husband’s never intending to go there himself.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7799
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7800	But they were entirely ignorant of what had passed; and their raptures
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7801	continued, with little intermission, to the very day of Lydia’s leaving
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7802	home.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7803
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7804	Elizabeth was now to see Mr. Wickham for the last time. Having been
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7805	frequently in company with him since her return, agitation was pretty
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7806	well over; the agitations of former partiality entirely so. She had even
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7807	learnt to detect, in the very gentleness which had first delighted
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7808	her, an affectation and a sameness to disgust and weary. In his present
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7809	behaviour to herself, moreover, she had a fresh source of displeasure,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7810	for the inclination he soon testified of renewing those intentions which
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7811	had marked the early part of their acquaintance could only serve, after
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7812	what had since passed, to provoke her. She lost all concern for him in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7813	finding herself thus selected as the object of such idle and frivolous
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7814	gallantry; and while she steadily repressed it, could not but feel the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7815	reproof contained in his believing, that however long, and for whatever
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7816	cause, his attentions had been withdrawn, her vanity would be gratified,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7817	and her preference secured at any time by their renewal.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7818
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7819	On the very last day of the regiment’s remaining at Meryton, he dined,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7820	with other of the officers, at Longbourn; and so little was Elizabeth
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7821	disposed to part from him in good humour, that on his making some
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7822	inquiry as to the manner in which her time had passed at Hunsford, she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7823	mentioned Colonel Fitzwilliam’s and Mr. Darcy’s having both spent three
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7824	weeks at Rosings, and asked him, if he was acquainted with the former.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7825
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7826	He looked surprised, displeased, alarmed; but with a moment’s
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7827	recollection and a returning smile, replied, that he had formerly seen
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7828	him often; and, after observing that he was a very gentlemanlike man,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7829	asked her how she had liked him. Her answer was warmly in his favour.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7830	With an air of indifference he soon afterwards added:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7831
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7832	“How long did you say he was at Rosings?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7833
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7834	“Nearly three weeks.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7835
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7836	“And you saw him frequently?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7837
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7838	“Yes, almost every day.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7839
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7840	“His manners are very different from his cousin’s.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7841
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7842	“Yes, very different. But I think Mr. Darcy improves upon acquaintance.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7843
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7844	“Indeed!” cried Mr. Wickham with a look which did not escape her. “And
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7845	pray, may I ask?--” But checking himself, he added, in a gayer tone, “Is
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7846	it in address that he improves? Has he deigned to add aught of civility
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7847	to his ordinary style?--for I dare not hope,” he continued in a lower
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7848	and more serious tone, “that he is improved in essentials.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7849
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7850	“Oh, no!” said Elizabeth. “In essentials, I believe, he is very much
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7851	what he ever was.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7852
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7853	While she spoke, Wickham looked as if scarcely knowing whether to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7854	rejoice over her words, or to distrust their meaning. There was a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7855	something in her countenance which made him listen with an apprehensive
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7856	and anxious attention, while she added:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7857
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7858	“When I said that he improved on acquaintance, I did not mean that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7859	his mind or his manners were in a state of improvement, but that, from
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7860	knowing him better, his disposition was better understood.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7861
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7862	Wickham’s alarm now appeared in a heightened complexion and agitated
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7863	look; for a few minutes he was silent, till, shaking off his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7864	embarrassment, he turned to her again, and said in the gentlest of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7865	accents:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7866
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7867	“You, who so well know my feeling towards Mr. Darcy, will readily
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7868	comprehend how sincerely I must rejoice that he is wise enough to assume
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7869	even the _appearance_ of what is right. His pride, in that direction,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7870	may be of service, if not to himself, to many others, for it must only
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7871	deter him from such foul misconduct as I have suffered by. I only
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7872	fear that the sort of cautiousness to which you, I imagine, have been
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7873	alluding, is merely adopted on his visits to his aunt, of whose good
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7874	opinion and judgement he stands much in awe. His fear of her has always
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7875	operated, I know, when they were together; and a good deal is to be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7876	imputed to his wish of forwarding the match with Miss de Bourgh, which I
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7877	am certain he has very much at heart.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7878
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7879	Elizabeth could not repress a smile at this, but she answered only by a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7880	slight inclination of the head. She saw that he wanted to engage her on
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7881	the old subject of his grievances, and she was in no humour to indulge
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7882	him. The rest of the evening passed with the _appearance_, on his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7883	side, of usual cheerfulness, but with no further attempt to distinguish
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7884	Elizabeth; and they parted at last with mutual civility, and possibly a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7885	mutual desire of never meeting again.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7886
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7887	When the party broke up, Lydia returned with Mrs. Forster to Meryton,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7888	from whence they were to set out early the next morning. The separation
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7889	between her and her family was rather noisy than pathetic. Kitty was the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7890	only one who shed tears; but she did weep from vexation and envy. Mrs.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7891	Bennet was diffuse in her good wishes for the felicity of her daughter,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7892	and impressive in her injunctions that she should not miss the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7893	opportunity of enjoying herself as much as possible--advice which
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7894	there was every reason to believe would be well attended to; and in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7895	the clamorous happiness of Lydia herself in bidding farewell, the more
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7896	gentle adieus of her sisters were uttered without being heard.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7897
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7898
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7899
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7900	Chapter 42
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7901
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7902
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7903	Had Elizabeth’s opinion been all drawn from her own family, she could
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7904	not have formed a very pleasing opinion of conjugal felicity or domestic
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7905	comfort. Her father, captivated by youth and beauty, and that appearance
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7906	of good humour which youth and beauty generally give, had married a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7907	woman whose weak understanding and illiberal mind had very early in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7908	their marriage put an end to all real affection for her. Respect,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7909	esteem, and confidence had vanished for ever; and all his views
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7910	of domestic happiness were overthrown. But Mr. Bennet was not of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7911	a disposition to seek comfort for the disappointment which his own
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7912	imprudence had brought on, in any of those pleasures which too often
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7913	console the unfortunate for their folly or their vice. He was fond of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7914	the country and of books; and from these tastes had arisen his principal
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7915	enjoyments. To his wife he was very little otherwise indebted, than as
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7916	her ignorance and folly had contributed to his amusement. This is not
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7917	the sort of happiness which a man would in general wish to owe to his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7918	wife; but where other powers of entertainment are wanting, the true
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7919	philosopher will derive benefit from such as are given.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7920
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7921	Elizabeth, however, had never been blind to the impropriety of her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7922	father’s behaviour as a husband. She had always seen it with pain; but
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7923	respecting his abilities, and grateful for his affectionate treatment of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7924	herself, she endeavoured to forget what she could not overlook, and to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7925	banish from her thoughts that continual breach of conjugal obligation
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7926	and decorum which, in exposing his wife to the contempt of her own
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7927	children, was so highly reprehensible. But she had never felt so
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7928	strongly as now the disadvantages which must attend the children of so
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7929	unsuitable a marriage, nor ever been so fully aware of the evils arising
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7930	from so ill-judged a direction of talents; talents, which, rightly used,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7931	might at least have preserved the respectability of his daughters, even
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7932	if incapable of enlarging the mind of his wife.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7933
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7934	When Elizabeth had rejoiced over Wickham’s departure she found little
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7935	other cause for satisfaction in the loss of the regiment. Their parties
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7936	abroad were less varied than before, and at home she had a mother and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7937	sister whose constant repinings at the dullness of everything around
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7938	them threw a real gloom over their domestic circle; and, though Kitty
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7939	might in time regain her natural degree of sense, since the disturbers
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7940	of her brain were removed, her other sister, from whose disposition
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7941	greater evil might be apprehended, was likely to be hardened in all
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7942	her folly and assurance by a situation of such double danger as a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7943	watering-place and a camp. Upon the whole, therefore, she found, what
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7944	has been sometimes found before, that an event to which she had been
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7945	looking with impatient desire did not, in taking place, bring all the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7946	satisfaction she had promised herself. It was consequently necessary to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7947	name some other period for the commencement of actual felicity--to have
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7948	some other point on which her wishes and hopes might be fixed, and by
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7949	again enjoying the pleasure of anticipation, console herself for the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7950	present, and prepare for another disappointment. Her tour to the Lakes
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7951	was now the object of her happiest thoughts; it was her best consolation
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7952	for all the uncomfortable hours which the discontentedness of her mother
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7953	and Kitty made inevitable; and could she have included Jane in the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7954	scheme, every part of it would have been perfect.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7955
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7956	“But it is fortunate,” thought she, “that I have something to wish for.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7957	Were the whole arrangement complete, my disappointment would be certain.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7958	But here, by carrying with me one ceaseless source of regret in my
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7959	sister’s absence, I may reasonably hope to have all my expectations of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7960	pleasure realised. A scheme of which every part promises delight can
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7961	never be successful; and general disappointment is only warded off by
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7962	the defence of some little peculiar vexation.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7963
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7964	When Lydia went away she promised to write very often and very minutely
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7965	to her mother and Kitty; but her letters were always long expected, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7966	always very short. Those to her mother contained little else than that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7967	they were just returned from the library, where such and such officers
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7968	had attended them, and where she had seen such beautiful ornaments as
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7969	made her quite wild; that she had a new gown, or a new parasol, which
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7970	she would have described more fully, but was obliged to leave off in a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7971	violent hurry, as Mrs. Forster called her, and they were going off to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7972	the camp; and from her correspondence with her sister, there was still
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7973	less to be learnt--for her letters to Kitty, though rather longer, were
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7974	much too full of lines under the words to be made public.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7975
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7976	After the first fortnight or three weeks of her absence, health, good
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7977	humour, and cheerfulness began to reappear at Longbourn. Everything wore
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7978	a happier aspect. The families who had been in town for the winter came
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7979	back again, and summer finery and summer engagements arose. Mrs. Bennet
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7980	was restored to her usual querulous serenity; and, by the middle of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7981	June, Kitty was so much recovered as to be able to enter Meryton without
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7982	tears; an event of such happy promise as to make Elizabeth hope that by
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7983	the following Christmas she might be so tolerably reasonable as not to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7984	mention an officer above once a day, unless, by some cruel and malicious
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7985	arrangement at the War Office, another regiment should be quartered in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7986	Meryton.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7987
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7988	The time fixed for the beginning of their northern tour was now fast
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7989	approaching, and a fortnight only was wanting of it, when a letter
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7990	arrived from Mrs. Gardiner, which at once delayed its commencement and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7991	curtailed its extent. Mr. Gardiner would be prevented by business from
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7992	setting out till a fortnight later in July, and must be in London again
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7993	within a month, and as that left too short a period for them to go so
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7994	far, and see so much as they had proposed, or at least to see it with
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7995	the leisure and comfort they had built on, they were obliged to give up
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7996	the Lakes, and substitute a more contracted tour, and, according to the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7997	present plan, were to go no farther northwards than Derbyshire. In that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7998	county there was enough to be seen to occupy the chief of their three
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	7999	weeks; and to Mrs. Gardiner it had a peculiarly strong attraction. The
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8000	town where she had formerly passed some years of her life, and where
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8001	they were now to spend a few days, was probably as great an object of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8002	her curiosity as all the celebrated beauties of Matlock, Chatsworth,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8003	Dovedale, or the Peak.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8004
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8005	Elizabeth was excessively disappointed; she had set her heart on seeing
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8006	the Lakes, and still thought there might have been time enough. But it
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8007	was her business to be satisfied--and certainly her temper to be happy;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8008	and all was soon right again.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8009
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8010	With the mention of Derbyshire there were many ideas connected. It was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8011	impossible for her to see the word without thinking of Pemberley and its
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8012	owner. “But surely,” said she, “I may enter his county with impunity,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8013	and rob it of a few petrified spars without his perceiving me.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8014
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8015	The period of expectation was now doubled. Four weeks were to pass away
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8016	before her uncle and aunt’s arrival. But they did pass away, and Mr.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8017	and Mrs. Gardiner, with their four children, did at length appear at
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8018	Longbourn. The children, two girls of six and eight years old, and two
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8019	younger boys, were to be left under the particular care of their
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8020	cousin Jane, who was the general favourite, and whose steady sense and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8021	sweetness of temper exactly adapted her for attending to them in every
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8022	way--teaching them, playing with them, and loving them.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8023
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8024	The Gardiners stayed only one night at Longbourn, and set off the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8025	next morning with Elizabeth in pursuit of novelty and amusement.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8026	One enjoyment was certain--that of suitableness of companions;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8027	a suitableness which comprehended health and temper to bear
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8028	inconveniences--cheerfulness to enhance every pleasure--and affection
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8029	and intelligence, which might supply it among themselves if there were
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8030	disappointments abroad.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8031
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8032	It is not the object of this work to give a description of Derbyshire,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8033	nor of any of the remarkable places through which their route thither
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8034	lay; Oxford, Blenheim, Warwick, Kenilworth, Birmingham, etc. are
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8035	sufficiently known. A small part of Derbyshire is all the present
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8036	concern. To the little town of Lambton, the scene of Mrs. Gardiner’s
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8037	former residence, and where she had lately learned some acquaintance
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8038	still remained, they bent their steps, after having seen all the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8039	principal wonders of the country; and within five miles of Lambton,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8040	Elizabeth found from her aunt that Pemberley was situated. It was not
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8041	in their direct road, nor more than a mile or two out of it. In
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8042	talking over their route the evening before, Mrs. Gardiner expressed
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8043	an inclination to see the place again. Mr. Gardiner declared his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8044	willingness, and Elizabeth was applied to for her approbation.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8045
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8046	“My love, should not you like to see a place of which you have heard
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8047	so much?” said her aunt; “a place, too, with which so many of your
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8048	acquaintances are connected. Wickham passed all his youth there, you
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8049	know.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8050
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8051	Elizabeth was distressed. She felt that she had no business at
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8052	Pemberley, and was obliged to assume a disinclination for seeing it. She
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8053	must own that she was tired of seeing great houses; after going over so
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8054	many, she really had no pleasure in fine carpets or satin curtains.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8055
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8056	Mrs. Gardiner abused her stupidity. “If it were merely a fine house
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8057	richly furnished,” said she, “I should not care about it myself; but
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8058	the grounds are delightful. They have some of the finest woods in the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8059	country.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8060
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8061	Elizabeth said no more--but her mind could not acquiesce. The
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8062	possibility of meeting Mr. Darcy, while viewing the place, instantly
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8063	occurred. It would be dreadful! She blushed at the very idea, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8064	thought it would be better to speak openly to her aunt than to run such
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8065	a risk. But against this there were objections; and she finally resolved
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8066	that it could be the last resource, if her private inquiries to the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8067	absence of the family were unfavourably answered.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8068
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8069	Accordingly, when she retired at night, she asked the chambermaid
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8070	whether Pemberley were not a very fine place? what was the name of its
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8071	proprietor? and, with no little alarm, whether the family were down for
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8072	the summer? A most welcome negative followed the last question--and her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8073	alarms now being removed, she was at leisure to feel a great deal of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8074	curiosity to see the house herself; and when the subject was revived the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8075	next morning, and she was again applied to, could readily answer, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8076	with a proper air of indifference, that she had not really any dislike
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8077	to the scheme. To Pemberley, therefore, they were to go.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8078
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8079
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8080
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8081	Chapter 43
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8082
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8083
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8084	Elizabeth, as they drove along, watched for the first appearance of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8085	Pemberley Woods with some perturbation; and when at length they turned
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8086	in at the lodge, her spirits were in a high flutter.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8087
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8088	The park was very large, and contained great variety of ground. They
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8089	entered it in one of its lowest points, and drove for some time through
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8090	a beautiful wood stretching over a wide extent.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8091
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8092	Elizabeth’s mind was too full for conversation, but she saw and admired
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8093	every remarkable spot and point of view. They gradually ascended for
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8094	half-a-mile, and then found themselves at the top of a considerable
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8095	eminence, where the wood ceased, and the eye was instantly caught by
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8096	Pemberley House, situated on the opposite side of a valley, into which
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8097	the road with some abruptness wound. It was a large, handsome stone
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8098	building, standing well on rising ground, and backed by a ridge of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8099	high woody hills; and in front, a stream of some natural importance was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8100	swelled into greater, but without any artificial appearance. Its banks
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8101	were neither formal nor falsely adorned. Elizabeth was delighted. She
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8102	had never seen a place for which nature had done more, or where natural
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8103	beauty had been so little counteracted by an awkward taste. They were
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8104	all of them warm in their admiration; and at that moment she felt that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8105	to be mistress of Pemberley might be something!
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8106
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8107	They descended the hill, crossed the bridge, and drove to the door; and,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8108	while examining the nearer aspect of the house, all her apprehension of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8109	meeting its owner returned. She dreaded lest the chambermaid had been
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8110	mistaken. On applying to see the place, they were admitted into the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8111	hall; and Elizabeth, as they waited for the housekeeper, had leisure to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8112	wonder at her being where she was.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8113
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8114	The housekeeper came; a respectable-looking elderly woman, much less
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8115	fine, and more civil, than she had any notion of finding her. They
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8116	followed her into the dining-parlour. It was a large, well proportioned
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8117	room, handsomely fitted up. Elizabeth, after slightly surveying it, went
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8118	to a window to enjoy its prospect. The hill, crowned with wood, which
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8119	they had descended, receiving increased abruptness from the distance,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8120	was a beautiful object. Every disposition of the ground was good; and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8121	she looked on the whole scene, the river, the trees scattered on its
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8122	banks and the winding of the valley, as far as she could trace it,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8123	with delight. As they passed into other rooms these objects were taking
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8124	different positions; but from every window there were beauties to be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8125	seen. The rooms were lofty and handsome, and their furniture suitable to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8126	the fortune of its proprietor; but Elizabeth saw, with admiration of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8127	his taste, that it was neither gaudy nor uselessly fine; with less of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8128	splendour, and more real elegance, than the furniture of Rosings.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8129
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8130	“And of this place,” thought she, “I might have been mistress! With
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8131	these rooms I might now have been familiarly acquainted! Instead of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8132	viewing them as a stranger, I might have rejoiced in them as my own, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8133	welcomed to them as visitors my uncle and aunt. But no,”--recollecting
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8134	herself--“that could never be; my uncle and aunt would have been lost to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8135	me; I should not have been allowed to invite them.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8136
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8137	This was a lucky recollection--it saved her from something very like
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8138	regret.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8139
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8140	She longed to inquire of the housekeeper whether her master was really
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8141	absent, but had not the courage for it. At length however, the question
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8142	was asked by her uncle; and she turned away with alarm, while Mrs.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8143	Reynolds replied that he was, adding, “But we expect him to-morrow, with
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8144	a large party of friends.” How rejoiced was Elizabeth that their own
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8145	journey had not by any circumstance been delayed a day!
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8146
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8147	Her aunt now called her to look at a picture. She approached and saw the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8148	likeness of Mr. Wickham, suspended, amongst several other miniatures,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8149	over the mantelpiece. Her aunt asked her, smilingly, how she liked it.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8150	The housekeeper came forward, and told them it was a picture of a young
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8151	gentleman, the son of her late master’s steward, who had been brought
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8152	up by him at his own expense. “He is now gone into the army,” she added;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8153	“but I am afraid he has turned out very wild.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8154
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8155	Mrs. Gardiner looked at her niece with a smile, but Elizabeth could not
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8156	return it.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8157
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8158	“And that,” said Mrs. Reynolds, pointing to another of the miniatures,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8159	“is my master--and very like him. It was drawn at the same time as the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8160	other--about eight years ago.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8161
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8162	“I have heard much of your master’s fine person,” said Mrs. Gardiner,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8163	looking at the picture; “it is a handsome face. But, Lizzy, you can tell
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8164	us whether it is like or not.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8165
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8166	Mrs. Reynolds respect for Elizabeth seemed to increase on this
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8167	intimation of her knowing her master.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8168
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8169	“Does that young lady know Mr. Darcy?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8170
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8171	Elizabeth coloured, and said: “A little.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8172
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8173	“And do not you think him a very handsome gentleman, ma’am?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8174
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8175	“Yes, very handsome.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8176
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8177	“I am sure I know none so handsome; but in the gallery up stairs you
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8178	will see a finer, larger picture of him than this. This room was my late
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8179	master’s favourite room, and these miniatures are just as they used to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8180	be then. He was very fond of them.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8181
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8182	This accounted to Elizabeth for Mr. Wickham’s being among them.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8183
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8184	Mrs. Reynolds then directed their attention to one of Miss Darcy, drawn
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8185	when she was only eight years old.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8186
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8187	“And is Miss Darcy as handsome as her brother?” said Mrs. Gardiner.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8188
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8189	“Oh! yes--the handsomest young lady that ever was seen; and so
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8190	accomplished!--She plays and sings all day long. In the next room is
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8191	a new instrument just come down for her--a present from my master; she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8192	comes here to-morrow with him.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8193
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8194	Mr. Gardiner, whose manners were very easy and pleasant, encouraged her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8195	communicativeness by his questions and remarks; Mrs. Reynolds, either
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8196	by pride or attachment, had evidently great pleasure in talking of her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8197	master and his sister.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8198
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8199	“Is your master much at Pemberley in the course of the year?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8200
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8201	“Not so much as I could wish, sir; but I dare say he may spend half his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8202	time here; and Miss Darcy is always down for the summer months.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8203
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8204	“Except,” thought Elizabeth, “when she goes to Ramsgate.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8205
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8206	“If your master would marry, you might see more of him.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8207
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8208	“Yes, sir; but I do not know when _that_ will be. I do not know who is
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8209	good enough for him.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8210
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8211	Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner smiled. Elizabeth could not help saying, “It is
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8212	very much to his credit, I am sure, that you should think so.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8213
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8214	“I say no more than the truth, and everybody will say that knows him,”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8215	replied the other. Elizabeth thought this was going pretty far; and she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8216	listened with increasing astonishment as the housekeeper added, “I have
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8217	never known a cross word from him in my life, and I have known him ever
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8218	since he was four years old.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8219
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8220	This was praise, of all others most extraordinary, most opposite to her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8221	ideas. That he was not a good-tempered man had been her firmest opinion.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8222	Her keenest attention was awakened; she longed to hear more, and was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8223	grateful to her uncle for saying:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8224
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8225	“There are very few people of whom so much can be said. You are lucky in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8226	having such a master.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8227
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8228	“Yes, sir, I know I am. If I were to go through the world, I could
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8229	not meet with a better. But I have always observed, that they who are
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8230	good-natured when children, are good-natured when they grow up; and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8231	he was always the sweetest-tempered, most generous-hearted boy in the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8232	world.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8233
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8234	Elizabeth almost stared at her. “Can this be Mr. Darcy?” thought she.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8235
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8236	“His father was an excellent man,” said Mrs. Gardiner.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8237
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8238	“Yes, ma’am, that he was indeed; and his son will be just like him--just
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8239	as affable to the poor.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8240
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8241	Elizabeth listened, wondered, doubted, and was impatient for more. Mrs.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8242	Reynolds could interest her on no other point. She related the subjects
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8243	of the pictures, the dimensions of the rooms, and the price of the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8244	furniture, in vain. Mr. Gardiner, highly amused by the kind of family
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8245	prejudice to which he attributed her excessive commendation of her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8246	master, soon led again to the subject; and she dwelt with energy on his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8247	many merits as they proceeded together up the great staircase.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8248
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8249	“He is the best landlord, and the best master,” said she, “that ever
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8250	lived; not like the wild young men nowadays, who think of nothing but
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8251	themselves. There is not one of his tenants or servants but will give
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8252	him a good name. Some people call him proud; but I am sure I never saw
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8253	anything of it. To my fancy, it is only because he does not rattle away
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8254	like other young men.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8255
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8256	“In what an amiable light does this place him!” thought Elizabeth.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8257
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8258	“This fine account of him,” whispered her aunt as they walked, “is not
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8259	quite consistent with his behaviour to our poor friend.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8260
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8261	“Perhaps we might be deceived.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8262
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8263	“That is not very likely; our authority was too good.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8264
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8265	On reaching the spacious lobby above they were shown into a very pretty
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8266	sitting-room, lately fitted up with greater elegance and lightness than
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8267	the apartments below; and were informed that it was but just done to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8268	give pleasure to Miss Darcy, who had taken a liking to the room when
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8269	last at Pemberley.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8270
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8271	“He is certainly a good brother,” said Elizabeth, as she walked towards
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8272	one of the windows.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8273
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8274	Mrs. Reynolds anticipated Miss Darcy’s delight, when she should enter
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8275	the room. “And this is always the way with him,” she added. “Whatever
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8276	can give his sister any pleasure is sure to be done in a moment. There
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8277	is nothing he would not do for her.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8278
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8279	The picture-gallery, and two or three of the principal bedrooms, were
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8280	all that remained to be shown. In the former were many good paintings;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8281	but Elizabeth knew nothing of the art; and from such as had been already
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8282	visible below, she had willingly turned to look at some drawings of Miss
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8283	Darcy’s, in crayons, whose subjects were usually more interesting, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8284	also more intelligible.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8285
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8286	In the gallery there were many family portraits, but they could have
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8287	little to fix the attention of a stranger. Elizabeth walked in quest of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8288	the only face whose features would be known to her. At last it arrested
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8289	her--and she beheld a striking resemblance to Mr. Darcy, with such a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8290	smile over the face as she remembered to have sometimes seen when he
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8291	looked at her. She stood several minutes before the picture, in earnest
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8292	contemplation, and returned to it again before they quitted the gallery.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8293	Mrs. Reynolds informed them that it had been taken in his father’s
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8294	lifetime.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8295
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8296	There was certainly at this moment, in Elizabeth’s mind, a more gentle
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8297	sensation towards the original than she had ever felt at the height of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8298	their acquaintance. The commendation bestowed on him by Mrs. Reynolds
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8299	was of no trifling nature. What praise is more valuable than the praise
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8300	of an intelligent servant? As a brother, a landlord, a master, she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8301	considered how many people’s happiness were in his guardianship!--how
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8302	much of pleasure or pain was it in his power to bestow!--how much of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8303	good or evil must be done by him! Every idea that had been brought
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8304	forward by the housekeeper was favourable to his character, and as she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8305	stood before the canvas on which he was represented, and fixed his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8306	eyes upon herself, she thought of his regard with a deeper sentiment of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8307	gratitude than it had ever raised before; she remembered its warmth, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8308	softened its impropriety of expression.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8309
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8310	When all of the house that was open to general inspection had been seen,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8311	they returned downstairs, and, taking leave of the housekeeper, were
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8312	consigned over to the gardener, who met them at the hall-door.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8313
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8314	As they walked across the hall towards the river, Elizabeth turned back
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8315	to look again; her uncle and aunt stopped also, and while the former
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8316	was conjecturing as to the date of the building, the owner of it himself
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8317	suddenly came forward from the road, which led behind it to the stables.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8318
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8319	They were within twenty yards of each other, and so abrupt was his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8320	appearance, that it was impossible to avoid his sight. Their eyes
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8321	instantly met, and the cheeks of both were overspread with the deepest
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8322	blush. He absolutely started, and for a moment seemed immovable from
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8323	surprise; but shortly recovering himself, advanced towards the party,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8324	and spoke to Elizabeth, if not in terms of perfect composure, at least
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8325	of perfect civility.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8326
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8327	She had instinctively turned away; but stopping on his approach,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8328	received his compliments with an embarrassment impossible to be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8329	overcome. Had his first appearance, or his resemblance to the picture
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8330	they had just been examining, been insufficient to assure the other two
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8331	that they now saw Mr. Darcy, the gardener’s expression of surprise, on
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8332	beholding his master, must immediately have told it. They stood a little
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8333	aloof while he was talking to their niece, who, astonished and confused,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8334	scarcely dared lift her eyes to his face, and knew not what answer
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8335	she returned to his civil inquiries after her family. Amazed at the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8336	alteration of his manner since they last parted, every sentence that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8337	he uttered was increasing her embarrassment; and every idea of the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8338	impropriety of her being found there recurring to her mind, the few
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8339	minutes in which they continued were some of the most uncomfortable in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8340	her life. Nor did he seem much more at ease; when he spoke, his accent
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8341	had none of its usual sedateness; and he repeated his inquiries as
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8342	to the time of her having left Longbourn, and of her having stayed in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8343	Derbyshire, so often, and in so hurried a way, as plainly spoke the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8344	distraction of his thoughts.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8345
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8346	At length every idea seemed to fail him; and, after standing a few
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8347	moments without saying a word, he suddenly recollected himself, and took
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8348	leave.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8349
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8350	The others then joined her, and expressed admiration of his figure; but
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8351	Elizabeth heard not a word, and wholly engrossed by her own feelings,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8352	followed them in silence. She was overpowered by shame and vexation. Her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8353	coming there was the most unfortunate, the most ill-judged thing in the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8354	world! How strange it must appear to him! In what a disgraceful light
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8355	might it not strike so vain a man! It might seem as if she had purposely
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8356	thrown herself in his way again! Oh! why did she come? Or, why did he
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8357	thus come a day before he was expected? Had they been only ten minutes
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8358	sooner, they should have been beyond the reach of his discrimination;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8359	for it was plain that he was that moment arrived--that moment alighted
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8360	from his horse or his carriage. She blushed again and again over
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8361	the perverseness of the meeting. And his behaviour, so strikingly
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8362	altered--what could it mean? That he should even speak to her was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8363	amazing!--but to speak with such civility, to inquire after her family!
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8364	Never in her life had she seen his manners so little dignified, never
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8365	had he spoken with such gentleness as on this unexpected meeting. What
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8366	a contrast did it offer to his last address in Rosings Park, when he put
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8367	his letter into her hand! She knew not what to think, or how to account
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8368	for it.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8369
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8370	They had now entered a beautiful walk by the side of the water, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8371	every step was bringing forward a nobler fall of ground, or a finer
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8372	reach of the woods to which they were approaching; but it was some time
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8373	before Elizabeth was sensible of any of it; and, though she answered
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8374	mechanically to the repeated appeals of her uncle and aunt, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8375	seemed to direct her eyes to such objects as they pointed out, she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8376	distinguished no part of the scene. Her thoughts were all fixed on that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8377	one spot of Pemberley House, whichever it might be, where Mr. Darcy then
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8378	was. She longed to know what at the moment was passing in his mind--in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8379	what manner he thought of her, and whether, in defiance of everything,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8380	she was still dear to him. Perhaps he had been civil only because he
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8381	felt himself at ease; yet there had been _that_ in his voice which was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8382	not like ease. Whether he had felt more of pain or of pleasure in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8383	seeing her she could not tell, but he certainly had not seen her with
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8384	composure.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8385
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8386	At length, however, the remarks of her companions on her absence of mind
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8387	aroused her, and she felt the necessity of appearing more like herself.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8388
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8389	They entered the woods, and bidding adieu to the river for a while,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8390	ascended some of the higher grounds; when, in spots where the opening of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8391	the trees gave the eye power to wander, were many charming views of the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8392	valley, the opposite hills, with the long range of woods overspreading
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8393	many, and occasionally part of the stream. Mr. Gardiner expressed a wish
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8394	of going round the whole park, but feared it might be beyond a walk.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8395	With a triumphant smile they were told that it was ten miles round.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8396	It settled the matter; and they pursued the accustomed circuit; which
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8397	brought them again, after some time, in a descent among hanging woods,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8398	to the edge of the water, and one of its narrowest parts. They crossed
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8399	it by a simple bridge, in character with the general air of the scene;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8400	it was a spot less adorned than any they had yet visited; and the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8401	valley, here contracted into a glen, allowed room only for the stream,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8402	and a narrow walk amidst the rough coppice-wood which bordered it.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8403	Elizabeth longed to explore its windings; but when they had crossed the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8404	bridge, and perceived their distance from the house, Mrs. Gardiner,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8405	who was not a great walker, could go no farther, and thought only
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8406	of returning to the carriage as quickly as possible. Her niece was,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8407	therefore, obliged to submit, and they took their way towards the house
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8408	on the opposite side of the river, in the nearest direction; but their
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8409	progress was slow, for Mr. Gardiner, though seldom able to indulge the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8410	taste, was very fond of fishing, and was so much engaged in watching the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8411	occasional appearance of some trout in the water, and talking to the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8412	man about them, that he advanced but little. Whilst wandering on in this
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8413	slow manner, they were again surprised, and Elizabeth’s astonishment
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8414	was quite equal to what it had been at first, by the sight of Mr. Darcy
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8415	approaching them, and at no great distance. The walk being here
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8416	less sheltered than on the other side, allowed them to see him before
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8417	they met. Elizabeth, however astonished, was at least more prepared
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8418	for an interview than before, and resolved to appear and to speak with
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8419	calmness, if he really intended to meet them. For a few moments, indeed,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8420	she felt that he would probably strike into some other path. The idea
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8421	lasted while a turning in the walk concealed him from their view; the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8422	turning past, he was immediately before them. With a glance, she saw
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8423	that he had lost none of his recent civility; and, to imitate his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8424	politeness, she began, as they met, to admire the beauty of the place;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8425	but she had not got beyond the words “delightful,” and “charming,” when
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8426	some unlucky recollections obtruded, and she fancied that praise of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8427	Pemberley from her might be mischievously construed. Her colour changed,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8428	and she said no more.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8429
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8430	Mrs. Gardiner was standing a little behind; and on her pausing, he asked
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8431	her if she would do him the honour of introducing him to her friends.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8432	This was a stroke of civility for which she was quite unprepared;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8433	and she could hardly suppress a smile at his being now seeking the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8434	acquaintance of some of those very people against whom his pride had
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8435	revolted in his offer to herself. “What will be his surprise,” thought
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8436	she, “when he knows who they are? He takes them now for people of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8437	fashion.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8438
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8439	The introduction, however, was immediately made; and as she named their
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8440	relationship to herself, she stole a sly look at him, to see how he bore
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8441	it, and was not without the expectation of his decamping as fast as he
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8442	could from such disgraceful companions. That he was _surprised_ by the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8443	connection was evident; he sustained it, however, with fortitude, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8444	so far from going away, turned back with them, and entered into
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8445	conversation with Mr. Gardiner. Elizabeth could not but be pleased,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8446	could not but triumph. It was consoling that he should know she had
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8447	some relations for whom there was no need to blush. She listened most
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8448	attentively to all that passed between them, and gloried in every
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8449	expression, every sentence of her uncle, which marked his intelligence,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8450	his taste, or his good manners.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8451
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8452	The conversation soon turned upon fishing; and she heard Mr. Darcy
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8453	invite him, with the greatest civility, to fish there as often as he
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8454	chose while he continued in the neighbourhood, offering at the same time
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8455	to supply him with fishing tackle, and pointing out those parts of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8456	the stream where there was usually most sport. Mrs. Gardiner, who was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8457	walking arm-in-arm with Elizabeth, gave her a look expressive of wonder.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8458	Elizabeth said nothing, but it gratified her exceedingly; the compliment
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8459	must be all for herself. Her astonishment, however, was extreme, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8460	continually was she repeating, “Why is he so altered? From what can
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8461	it proceed? It cannot be for _me_--it cannot be for _my_ sake that his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8462	manners are thus softened. My reproofs at Hunsford could not work such a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8463	change as this. It is impossible that he should still love me.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8464
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8465	After walking some time in this way, the two ladies in front, the two
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8466	gentlemen behind, on resuming their places, after descending to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8467	the brink of the river for the better inspection of some curious
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8468	water-plant, there chanced to be a little alteration. It originated
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8469	in Mrs. Gardiner, who, fatigued by the exercise of the morning, found
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8470	Elizabeth’s arm inadequate to her support, and consequently preferred
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8471	her husband’s. Mr. Darcy took her place by her niece, and they walked on
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8472	together. After a short silence, the lady first spoke. She wished him
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8473	to know that she had been assured of his absence before she came to the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8474	place, and accordingly began by observing, that his arrival had been
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8475	very unexpected--“for your housekeeper,” she added, “informed us that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8476	you would certainly not be here till to-morrow; and indeed, before we
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8477	left Bakewell, we understood that you were not immediately expected
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8478	in the country.” He acknowledged the truth of it all, and said that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8479	business with his steward had occasioned his coming forward a few hours
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8480	before the rest of the party with whom he had been travelling. “They
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8481	will join me early to-morrow,” he continued, “and among them are some
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8482	who will claim an acquaintance with you--Mr. Bingley and his sisters.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8483
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8484	Elizabeth answered only by a slight bow. Her thoughts were instantly
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8485	driven back to the time when Mr. Bingley’s name had been the last
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8486	mentioned between them; and, if she might judge by his complexion, _his_
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8487	mind was not very differently engaged.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8488
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8489	“There is also one other person in the party,” he continued after a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8490	pause, “who more particularly wishes to be known to you. Will you allow
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8491	me, or do I ask too much, to introduce my sister to your acquaintance
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8492	during your stay at Lambton?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8493
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8494	The surprise of such an application was great indeed; it was too great
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8495	for her to know in what manner she acceded to it. She immediately felt
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8496	that whatever desire Miss Darcy might have of being acquainted with her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8497	must be the work of her brother, and, without looking farther, it was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8498	satisfactory; it was gratifying to know that his resentment had not made
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8499	him think really ill of her.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8500
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8501	They now walked on in silence, each of them deep in thought. Elizabeth
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8502	was not comfortable; that was impossible; but she was flattered and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8503	pleased. His wish of introducing his sister to her was a compliment of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8504	the highest kind. They soon outstripped the others, and when they had
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8505	reached the carriage, Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner were half a quarter of a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8506	mile behind.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8507
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8508	He then asked her to walk into the house--but she declared herself not
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8509	tired, and they stood together on the lawn. At such a time much might
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8510	have been said, and silence was very awkward. She wanted to talk, but
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8511	there seemed to be an embargo on every subject. At last she recollected
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8512	that she had been travelling, and they talked of Matlock and Dove Dale
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8513	with great perseverance. Yet time and her aunt moved slowly--and her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8514	patience and her ideas were nearly worn out before the tete-a-tete was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8515	over. On Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner’s coming up they were all pressed to go
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8516	into the house and take some refreshment; but this was declined, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8517	they parted on each side with utmost politeness. Mr. Darcy handed the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8518	ladies into the carriage; and when it drove off, Elizabeth saw him
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8519	walking slowly towards the house.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8520
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8521	The observations of her uncle and aunt now began; and each of them
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8522	pronounced him to be infinitely superior to anything they had expected.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8523	“He is perfectly well behaved, polite, and unassuming,” said her uncle.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8524
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8525	“There _is_ something a little stately in him, to be sure,” replied her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8526	aunt, “but it is confined to his air, and is not unbecoming. I can now
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8527	say with the housekeeper, that though some people may call him proud, I
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8528	have seen nothing of it.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8529
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8530	“I was never more surprised than by his behaviour to us. It was more
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8531	than civil; it was really attentive; and there was no necessity for such
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8532	attention. His acquaintance with Elizabeth was very trifling.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8533
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8534	“To be sure, Lizzy,” said her aunt, “he is not so handsome as Wickham;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8535	or, rather, he has not Wickham’s countenance, for his features
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8536	are perfectly good. But how came you to tell me that he was so
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8537	disagreeable?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8538
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8539	Elizabeth excused herself as well as she could; said that she had liked
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8540	him better when they had met in Kent than before, and that she had never
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8541	seen him so pleasant as this morning.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8542
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8543	“But perhaps he may be a little whimsical in his civilities,” replied
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8544	her uncle. “Your great men often are; and therefore I shall not take him
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8545	at his word, as he might change his mind another day, and warn me off
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8546	his grounds.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8547
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8548	Elizabeth felt that they had entirely misunderstood his character, but
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8549	said nothing.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8550
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8551	“From what we have seen of him,” continued Mrs. Gardiner, “I really
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8552	should not have thought that he could have behaved in so cruel a way by
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8553	anybody as he has done by poor Wickham. He has not an ill-natured look.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8554	On the contrary, there is something pleasing about his mouth when he
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8555	speaks. And there is something of dignity in his countenance that would
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8556	not give one an unfavourable idea of his heart. But, to be sure, the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8557	good lady who showed us his house did give him a most flaming character!
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8558	I could hardly help laughing aloud sometimes. But he is a liberal
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8559	master, I suppose, and _that_ in the eye of a servant comprehends every
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8560	virtue.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8561
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8562	Elizabeth here felt herself called on to say something in vindication of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8563	his behaviour to Wickham; and therefore gave them to understand, in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8564	as guarded a manner as she could, that by what she had heard from
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8565	his relations in Kent, his actions were capable of a very different
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8566	construction; and that his character was by no means so faulty, nor
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8567	Wickham’s so amiable, as they had been considered in Hertfordshire. In
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8568	confirmation of this, she related the particulars of all the pecuniary
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8569	transactions in which they had been connected, without actually naming
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8570	her authority, but stating it to be such as might be relied on.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8571
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8572	Mrs. Gardiner was surprised and concerned; but as they were now
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8573	approaching the scene of her former pleasures, every idea gave way to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8574	the charm of recollection; and she was too much engaged in pointing out
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8575	to her husband all the interesting spots in its environs to think of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8576	anything else. Fatigued as she had been by the morning’s walk they
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8577	had no sooner dined than she set off again in quest of her former
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8578	acquaintance, and the evening was spent in the satisfactions of a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8579	intercourse renewed after many years’ discontinuance.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8580
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8581	The occurrences of the day were too full of interest to leave Elizabeth
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8582	much attention for any of these new friends; and she could do nothing
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8583	but think, and think with wonder, of Mr. Darcy’s civility, and, above
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8584	all, of his wishing her to be acquainted with his sister.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8585
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8586
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8587
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8588	Chapter 44
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8589
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8590
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8591	Elizabeth had settled it that Mr. Darcy would bring his sister to visit
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8592	her the very day after her reaching Pemberley; and was consequently
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8593	resolved not to be out of sight of the inn the whole of that morning.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8594	But her conclusion was false; for on the very morning after their
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8595	arrival at Lambton, these visitors came. They had been walking about the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8596	place with some of their new friends, and were just returning to the inn
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8597	to dress themselves for dining with the same family, when the sound of a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8598	carriage drew them to a window, and they saw a gentleman and a lady in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8599	a curricle driving up the street. Elizabeth immediately recognizing
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8600	the livery, guessed what it meant, and imparted no small degree of her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8601	surprise to her relations by acquainting them with the honour which she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8602	expected. Her uncle and aunt were all amazement; and the embarrassment
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8603	of her manner as she spoke, joined to the circumstance itself, and many
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8604	of the circumstances of the preceding day, opened to them a new idea on
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8605	the business. Nothing had ever suggested it before, but they felt that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8606	there was no other way of accounting for such attentions from such a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8607	quarter than by supposing a partiality for their niece. While these
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8608	newly-born notions were passing in their heads, the perturbation of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8609	Elizabeth’s feelings was at every moment increasing. She was quite
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8610	amazed at her own discomposure; but amongst other causes of disquiet,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8611	she dreaded lest the partiality of the brother should have said too much
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8612	in her favour; and, more than commonly anxious to please, she naturally
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8613	suspected that every power of pleasing would fail her.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8614
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8615	She retreated from the window, fearful of being seen; and as she walked
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8616	up and down the room, endeavouring to compose herself, saw such looks of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8617	inquiring surprise in her uncle and aunt as made everything worse.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8618
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8619	Miss Darcy and her brother appeared, and this formidable introduction
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8620	took place. With astonishment did Elizabeth see that her new
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8621	acquaintance was at least as much embarrassed as herself. Since her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8622	being at Lambton, she had heard that Miss Darcy was exceedingly proud;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8623	but the observation of a very few minutes convinced her that she was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8624	only exceedingly shy. She found it difficult to obtain even a word from
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8625	her beyond a monosyllable.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8626
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8627	Miss Darcy was tall, and on a larger scale than Elizabeth; and, though
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8628	little more than sixteen, her figure was formed, and her appearance
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8629	womanly and graceful. She was less handsome than her brother; but there
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8630	was sense and good humour in her face, and her manners were perfectly
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8631	unassuming and gentle. Elizabeth, who had expected to find in her as
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8632	acute and unembarrassed an observer as ever Mr. Darcy had been, was much
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8633	relieved by discerning such different feelings.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8634
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8635	They had not long been together before Mr. Darcy told her that Bingley
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8636	was also coming to wait on her; and she had barely time to express her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8637	satisfaction, and prepare for such a visitor, when Bingley’s quick
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8638	step was heard on the stairs, and in a moment he entered the room. All
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8639	Elizabeth’s anger against him had been long done away; but had she still
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8640	felt any, it could hardly have stood its ground against the unaffected
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8641	cordiality with which he expressed himself on seeing her again. He
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8642	inquired in a friendly, though general way, after her family, and looked
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8643	and spoke with the same good-humoured ease that he had ever done.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8644
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8645	To Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner he was scarcely a less interesting personage
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8646	than to herself. They had long wished to see him. The whole party before
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8647	them, indeed, excited a lively attention. The suspicions which had just
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8648	arisen of Mr. Darcy and their niece directed their observation towards
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8649	each with an earnest though guarded inquiry; and they soon drew from
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8650	those inquiries the full conviction that one of them at least knew
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8651	what it was to love. Of the lady’s sensations they remained a little
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8652	in doubt; but that the gentleman was overflowing with admiration was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8653	evident enough.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8654
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8655	Elizabeth, on her side, had much to do. She wanted to ascertain the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8656	feelings of each of her visitors; she wanted to compose her own, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8657	to make herself agreeable to all; and in the latter object, where she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8658	feared most to fail, she was most sure of success, for those to whom she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8659	endeavoured to give pleasure were prepossessed in her favour. Bingley
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8660	was ready, Georgiana was eager, and Darcy determined, to be pleased.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8661
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8662	In seeing Bingley, her thoughts naturally flew to her sister; and, oh!
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8663	how ardently did she long to know whether any of his were directed in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8664	a like manner. Sometimes she could fancy that he talked less than on
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8665	former occasions, and once or twice pleased herself with the notion
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8666	that, as he looked at her, he was trying to trace a resemblance. But,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8667	though this might be imaginary, she could not be deceived as to his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8668	behaviour to Miss Darcy, who had been set up as a rival to Jane. No look
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8669	appeared on either side that spoke particular regard. Nothing occurred
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8670	between them that could justify the hopes of his sister. On this point
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8671	she was soon satisfied; and two or three little circumstances occurred
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8672	ere they parted, which, in her anxious interpretation, denoted a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8673	recollection of Jane not untinctured by tenderness, and a wish of saying
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8674	more that might lead to the mention of her, had he dared. He observed
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8675	to her, at a moment when the others were talking together, and in a tone
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8676	which had something of real regret, that it “was a very long time since
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8677	he had had the pleasure of seeing her;” and, before she could reply,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8678	he added, “It is above eight months. We have not met since the 26th of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8679	November, when we were all dancing together at Netherfield.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8680
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8681	Elizabeth was pleased to find his memory so exact; and he afterwards
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8682	took occasion to ask her, when unattended to by any of the rest, whether
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8683	_all_ her sisters were at Longbourn. There was not much in the question,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8684	nor in the preceding remark; but there was a look and a manner which
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8685	gave them meaning.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8686
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8687	It was not often that she could turn her eyes on Mr. Darcy himself;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8688	but, whenever she did catch a glimpse, she saw an expression of general
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8689	complaisance, and in all that he said she heard an accent so removed
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8690	from _hauteur_ or disdain of his companions, as convinced her that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8691	the improvement of manners which she had yesterday witnessed however
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8692	temporary its existence might prove, had at least outlived one day. When
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8693	she saw him thus seeking the acquaintance and courting the good opinion
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8694	of people with whom any intercourse a few months ago would have been a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8695	disgrace--when she saw him thus civil, not only to herself, but to the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8696	very relations whom he had openly disdained, and recollected their last
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8697	lively scene in Hunsford Parsonage--the difference, the change was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8698	so great, and struck so forcibly on her mind, that she could hardly
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8699	restrain her astonishment from being visible. Never, even in the company
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8700	of his dear friends at Netherfield, or his dignified relations
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8701	at Rosings, had she seen him so desirous to please, so free from
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8702	self-consequence or unbending reserve, as now, when no importance
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8703	could result from the success of his endeavours, and when even the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8704	acquaintance of those to whom his attentions were addressed would draw
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8705	down the ridicule and censure of the ladies both of Netherfield and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8706	Rosings.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8707
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8708	Their visitors stayed with them above half-an-hour; and when they arose
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8709	to depart, Mr. Darcy called on his sister to join him in expressing
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8710	their wish of seeing Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner, and Miss Bennet, to dinner
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8711	at Pemberley, before they left the country. Miss Darcy, though with a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8712	diffidence which marked her little in the habit of giving invitations,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8713	readily obeyed. Mrs. Gardiner looked at her niece, desirous of knowing
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8714	how _she_, whom the invitation most concerned, felt disposed as to its
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8715	acceptance, but Elizabeth had turned away her head. Presuming however,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8716	that this studied avoidance spoke rather a momentary embarrassment than
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8717	any dislike of the proposal, and seeing in her husband, who was fond of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8718	society, a perfect willingness to accept it, she ventured to engage for
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8719	her attendance, and the day after the next was fixed on.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8720
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8721	Bingley expressed great pleasure in the certainty of seeing Elizabeth
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8722	again, having still a great deal to say to her, and many inquiries to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8723	make after all their Hertfordshire friends. Elizabeth, construing all
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8724	this into a wish of hearing her speak of her sister, was pleased, and on
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8725	this account, as well as some others, found herself, when their
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8726	visitors left them, capable of considering the last half-hour with some
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8727	satisfaction, though while it was passing, the enjoyment of it had been
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8728	little. Eager to be alone, and fearful of inquiries or hints from her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8729	uncle and aunt, she stayed with them only long enough to hear their
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8730	favourable opinion of Bingley, and then hurried away to dress.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8731
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8732	But she had no reason to fear Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner’s curiosity; it was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8733	not their wish to force her communication. It was evident that she was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8734	much better acquainted with Mr. Darcy than they had before any idea of;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8735	it was evident that he was very much in love with her. They saw much to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8736	interest, but nothing to justify inquiry.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8737
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8738	Of Mr. Darcy it was now a matter of anxiety to think well; and, as far
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8739	as their acquaintance reached, there was no fault to find. They could
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8740	not be untouched by his politeness; and had they drawn his character
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8741	from their own feelings and his servant’s report, without any reference
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8742	to any other account, the circle in Hertfordshire to which he was known
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8743	would not have recognized it for Mr. Darcy. There was now an interest,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8744	however, in believing the housekeeper; and they soon became sensible
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8745	that the authority of a servant who had known him since he was four
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8746	years old, and whose own manners indicated respectability, was not to be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8747	hastily rejected. Neither had anything occurred in the intelligence of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8748	their Lambton friends that could materially lessen its weight. They had
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8749	nothing to accuse him of but pride; pride he probably had, and if not,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8750	it would certainly be imputed by the inhabitants of a small market-town
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8751	where the family did not visit. It was acknowledged, however, that he
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8752	was a liberal man, and did much good among the poor.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8753
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8754	With respect to Wickham, the travellers soon found that he was not held
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8755	there in much estimation; for though the chief of his concerns with the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8756	son of his patron were imperfectly understood, it was yet a well-known
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8757	fact that, on his quitting Derbyshire, he had left many debts behind
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8758	him, which Mr. Darcy afterwards discharged.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8759
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8760	As for Elizabeth, her thoughts were at Pemberley this evening more than
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8761	the last; and the evening, though as it passed it seemed long, was not
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8762	long enough to determine her feelings towards _one_ in that mansion;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8763	and she lay awake two whole hours endeavouring to make them out. She
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8764	certainly did not hate him. No; hatred had vanished long ago, and she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8765	had almost as long been ashamed of ever feeling a dislike against him,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8766	that could be so called. The respect created by the conviction of his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8767	valuable qualities, though at first unwillingly admitted, had for some
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8768	time ceased to be repugnant to her feeling; and it was now heightened
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8769	into somewhat of a friendlier nature, by the testimony so highly in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8770	his favour, and bringing forward his disposition in so amiable a light,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8771	which yesterday had produced. But above all, above respect and esteem,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8772	there was a motive within her of goodwill which could not be overlooked.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8773	It was gratitude; gratitude, not merely for having once loved her,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8774	but for loving her still well enough to forgive all the petulance and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8775	acrimony of her manner in rejecting him, and all the unjust accusations
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8776	accompanying her rejection. He who, she had been persuaded, would avoid
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8777	her as his greatest enemy, seemed, on this accidental meeting, most
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8778	eager to preserve the acquaintance, and without any indelicate display
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8779	of regard, or any peculiarity of manner, where their two selves only
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8780	were concerned, was soliciting the good opinion of her friends, and bent
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8781	on making her known to his sister. Such a change in a man of so much
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8782	pride exciting not only astonishment but gratitude--for to love, ardent
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8783	love, it must be attributed; and as such its impression on her was of a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8784	sort to be encouraged, as by no means unpleasing, though it could not be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8785	exactly defined. She respected, she esteemed, she was grateful to him,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8786	she felt a real interest in his welfare; and she only wanted to know how
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8787	far she wished that welfare to depend upon herself, and how far it would
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8788	be for the happiness of both that she should employ the power, which her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8789	fancy told her she still possessed, of bringing on her the renewal of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8790	his addresses.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8791
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8792	It had been settled in the evening between the aunt and the niece, that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8793	such a striking civility as Miss Darcy’s in coming to see them on the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8794	very day of her arrival at Pemberley, for she had reached it only to a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8795	late breakfast, ought to be imitated, though it could not be equalled,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8796	by some exertion of politeness on their side; and, consequently, that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8797	it would be highly expedient to wait on her at Pemberley the following
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8798	morning. They were, therefore, to go. Elizabeth was pleased; though when
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8799	she asked herself the reason, she had very little to say in reply.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8800
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8801	Mr. Gardiner left them soon after breakfast. The fishing scheme had been
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8802	renewed the day before, and a positive engagement made of his meeting
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8803	some of the gentlemen at Pemberley before noon.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8804
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8805
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8806
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8807	Chapter 45
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8808
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8809
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8810	Convinced as Elizabeth now was that Miss Bingley’s dislike of her had
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8811	originated in jealousy, she could not help feeling how unwelcome her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8812	appearance at Pemberley must be to her, and was curious to know with how
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8813	much civility on that lady’s side the acquaintance would now be renewed.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8814
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8815	On reaching the house, they were shown through the hall into the saloon,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8816	whose northern aspect rendered it delightful for summer. Its windows
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8817	opening to the ground, admitted a most refreshing view of the high woody
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8818	hills behind the house, and of the beautiful oaks and Spanish chestnuts
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8819	which were scattered over the intermediate lawn.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8820
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8821	In this house they were received by Miss Darcy, who was sitting there
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8822	with Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley, and the lady with whom she lived in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8823	London. Georgiana’s reception of them was very civil, but attended with
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8824	all the embarrassment which, though proceeding from shyness and the fear
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8825	of doing wrong, would easily give to those who felt themselves inferior
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8826	the belief of her being proud and reserved. Mrs. Gardiner and her niece,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8827	however, did her justice, and pitied her.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8828
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8829	By Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley they were noticed only by a curtsey; and,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8830	on their being seated, a pause, awkward as such pauses must always be,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8831	succeeded for a few moments. It was first broken by Mrs. Annesley, a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8832	genteel, agreeable-looking woman, whose endeavour to introduce some kind
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8833	of discourse proved her to be more truly well-bred than either of the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8834	others; and between her and Mrs. Gardiner, with occasional help from
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8835	Elizabeth, the conversation was carried on. Miss Darcy looked as if she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8836	wished for courage enough to join in it; and sometimes did venture a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8837	short sentence when there was least danger of its being heard.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8838
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8839	Elizabeth soon saw that she was herself closely watched by Miss Bingley,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8840	and that she could not speak a word, especially to Miss Darcy, without
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8841	calling her attention. This observation would not have prevented her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8842	from trying to talk to the latter, had they not been seated at an
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8843	inconvenient distance; but she was not sorry to be spared the necessity
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8844	of saying much. Her own thoughts were employing her. She expected every
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8845	moment that some of the gentlemen would enter the room. She wished, she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8846	feared that the master of the house might be amongst them; and whether
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8847	she wished or feared it most, she could scarcely determine. After
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8848	sitting in this manner a quarter of an hour without hearing Miss
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8849	Bingley’s voice, Elizabeth was roused by receiving from her a cold
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8850	inquiry after the health of her family. She answered with equal
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8851	indifference and brevity, and the other said no more.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8852
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8853	The next variation which their visit afforded was produced by the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8854	entrance of servants with cold meat, cake, and a variety of all the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8855	finest fruits in season; but this did not take place till after many
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8856	a significant look and smile from Mrs. Annesley to Miss Darcy had been
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8857	given, to remind her of her post. There was now employment for the whole
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8858	party--for though they could not all talk, they could all eat; and the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8859	beautiful pyramids of grapes, nectarines, and peaches soon collected
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8860	them round the table.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8861
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8862	While thus engaged, Elizabeth had a fair opportunity of deciding whether
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8863	she most feared or wished for the appearance of Mr. Darcy, by the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8864	feelings which prevailed on his entering the room; and then, though but
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8865	a moment before she had believed her wishes to predominate, she began to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8866	regret that he came.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8867
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8868	He had been some time with Mr. Gardiner, who, with two or three other
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8869	gentlemen from the house, was engaged by the river, and had left him
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8870	only on learning that the ladies of the family intended a visit to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8871	Georgiana that morning. No sooner did he appear than Elizabeth wisely
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8872	resolved to be perfectly easy and unembarrassed; a resolution the more
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8873	necessary to be made, but perhaps not the more easily kept, because she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8874	saw that the suspicions of the whole party were awakened against them,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8875	and that there was scarcely an eye which did not watch his behaviour
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8876	when he first came into the room. In no countenance was attentive
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8877	curiosity so strongly marked as in Miss Bingley’s, in spite of the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8878	smiles which overspread her face whenever she spoke to one of its
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8879	objects; for jealousy had not yet made her desperate, and her attentions
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8880	to Mr. Darcy were by no means over. Miss Darcy, on her brother’s
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8881	entrance, exerted herself much more to talk, and Elizabeth saw that he
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8882	was anxious for his sister and herself to get acquainted, and forwarded
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8883	as much as possible, every attempt at conversation on either side. Miss
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8884	Bingley saw all this likewise; and, in the imprudence of anger, took the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8885	first opportunity of saying, with sneering civility:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8886
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8887	“Pray, Miss Eliza, are not the ----shire Militia removed from Meryton?
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8888	They must be a great loss to _your_ family.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8889
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8890	In Darcy’s presence she dared not mention Wickham’s name; but Elizabeth
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8891	instantly comprehended that he was uppermost in her thoughts; and the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8892	various recollections connected with him gave her a moment’s distress;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8893	but exerting herself vigorously to repel the ill-natured attack, she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8894	presently answered the question in a tolerably detached tone. While
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8895	she spoke, an involuntary glance showed her Darcy, with a heightened
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8896	complexion, earnestly looking at her, and his sister overcome with
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8897	confusion, and unable to lift up her eyes. Had Miss Bingley known what
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8898	pain she was then giving her beloved friend, she undoubtedly would
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8899	have refrained from the hint; but she had merely intended to discompose
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8900	Elizabeth by bringing forward the idea of a man to whom she believed
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8901	her partial, to make her betray a sensibility which might injure her in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8902	Darcy’s opinion, and, perhaps, to remind the latter of all the follies
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8903	and absurdities by which some part of her family were connected
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8904	with that corps. Not a syllable had ever reached her of Miss Darcy’s
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8905	meditated elopement. To no creature had it been revealed, where secrecy
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8906	was possible, except to Elizabeth; and from all Bingley’s connections
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8907	her brother was particularly anxious to conceal it, from the very
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8908	wish which Elizabeth had long ago attributed to him, of their becoming
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8909	hereafter her own. He had certainly formed such a plan, and without
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8910	meaning that it should affect his endeavour to separate him from Miss
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8911	Bennet, it is probable that it might add something to his lively concern
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8912	for the welfare of his friend.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8913
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8914	Elizabeth’s collected behaviour, however, soon quieted his emotion; and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8915	as Miss Bingley, vexed and disappointed, dared not approach nearer to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8916	Wickham, Georgiana also recovered in time, though not enough to be able
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8917	to speak any more. Her brother, whose eye she feared to meet, scarcely
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8918	recollected her interest in the affair, and the very circumstance which
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8919	had been designed to turn his thoughts from Elizabeth seemed to have
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8920	fixed them on her more and more cheerfully.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8921
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8922	Their visit did not continue long after the question and answer above
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8923	mentioned; and while Mr. Darcy was attending them to their carriage Miss
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8924	Bingley was venting her feelings in criticisms on Elizabeth’s person,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8925	behaviour, and dress. But Georgiana would not join her. Her brother’s
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8926	recommendation was enough to ensure her favour; his judgement could not
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8927	err. And he had spoken in such terms of Elizabeth as to leave Georgiana
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8928	without the power of finding her otherwise than lovely and amiable. When
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8929	Darcy returned to the saloon, Miss Bingley could not help repeating to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8930	him some part of what she had been saying to his sister.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8931
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8932	“How very ill Miss Eliza Bennet looks this morning, Mr. Darcy,” she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8933	cried; “I never in my life saw anyone so much altered as she is since
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8934	the winter. She is grown so brown and coarse! Louisa and I were agreeing
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8935	that we should not have known her again.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8936
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8937	However little Mr. Darcy might have liked such an address, he contented
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8938	himself with coolly replying that he perceived no other alteration than
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8939	her being rather tanned, no miraculous consequence of travelling in the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8940	summer.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8941
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8942	“For my own part,” she rejoined, “I must confess that I never could
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8943	see any beauty in her. Her face is too thin; her complexion has no
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8944	brilliancy; and her features are not at all handsome. Her nose
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8945	wants character--there is nothing marked in its lines. Her teeth are
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8946	tolerable, but not out of the common way; and as for her eyes,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8947	which have sometimes been called so fine, I could never see anything
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8948	extraordinary in them. They have a sharp, shrewish look, which I do
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8949	not like at all; and in her air altogether there is a self-sufficiency
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8950	without fashion, which is intolerable.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8951
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8952	Persuaded as Miss Bingley was that Darcy admired Elizabeth, this was not
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8953	the best method of recommending herself; but angry people are not always
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8954	wise; and in seeing him at last look somewhat nettled, she had all the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8955	success she expected. He was resolutely silent, however, and, from a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8956	determination of making him speak, she continued:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8957
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8958	“I remember, when we first knew her in Hertfordshire, how amazed we all
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8959	were to find that she was a reputed beauty; and I particularly recollect
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8960	your saying one night, after they had been dining at Netherfield, ‘_She_
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8961	a beauty!--I should as soon call her mother a wit.’ But afterwards she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8962	seemed to improve on you, and I believe you thought her rather pretty at
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8963	one time.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8964
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8965	“Yes,” replied Darcy, who could contain himself no longer, “but _that_
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8966	was only when I first saw her, for it is many months since I have
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8967	considered her as one of the handsomest women of my acquaintance.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8968
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8969	He then went away, and Miss Bingley was left to all the satisfaction of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8970	having forced him to say what gave no one any pain but herself.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8971
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8972	Mrs. Gardiner and Elizabeth talked of all that had occurred during their
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8973	visit, as they returned, except what had particularly interested them
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8974	both. The look and behaviour of everybody they had seen were discussed,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8975	except of the person who had mostly engaged their attention. They talked
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8976	of his sister, his friends, his house, his fruit--of everything but
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8977	himself; yet Elizabeth was longing to know what Mrs. Gardiner thought of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8978	him, and Mrs. Gardiner would have been highly gratified by her niece’s
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8979	beginning the subject.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8980
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8981
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8982
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8983	Chapter 46
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8984
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8985
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8986	Elizabeth had been a good deal disappointed in not finding a letter from
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8987	Jane on their first arrival at Lambton; and this disappointment had been
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8988	renewed on each of the mornings that had now been spent there; but
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8989	on the third her repining was over, and her sister justified, by the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8990	receipt of two letters from her at once, on one of which was marked that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8991	it had been missent elsewhere. Elizabeth was not surprised at it, as
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8992	Jane had written the direction remarkably ill.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8993
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8994	They had just been preparing to walk as the letters came in; and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8995	her uncle and aunt, leaving her to enjoy them in quiet, set off by
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8996	themselves. The one missent must first be attended to; it had been
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8997	written five days ago. The beginning contained an account of all their
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8998	little parties and engagements, with such news as the country afforded;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	8999	but the latter half, which was dated a day later, and written in evident
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9000	agitation, gave more important intelligence. It was to this effect:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9001
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9002	“Since writing the above, dearest Lizzy, something has occurred of a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9003	most unexpected and serious nature; but I am afraid of alarming you--be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9004	assured that we are all well. What I have to say relates to poor Lydia.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9005	An express came at twelve last night, just as we were all gone to bed,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9006	from Colonel Forster, to inform us that she was gone off to Scotland
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9007	with one of his officers; to own the truth, with Wickham! Imagine our
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9008	surprise. To Kitty, however, it does not seem so wholly unexpected. I am
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9009	very, very sorry. So imprudent a match on both sides! But I am willing
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9010	to hope the best, and that his character has been misunderstood.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9011	Thoughtless and indiscreet I can easily believe him, but this step
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9012	(and let us rejoice over it) marks nothing bad at heart. His choice is
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9013	disinterested at least, for he must know my father can give her nothing.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9014	Our poor mother is sadly grieved. My father bears it better. How
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9015	thankful am I that we never let them know what has been said against
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9016	him; we must forget it ourselves. They were off Saturday night about
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9017	twelve, as is conjectured, but were not missed till yesterday morning at
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9018	eight. The express was sent off directly. My dear Lizzy, they must have
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9019	passed within ten miles of us. Colonel Forster gives us reason to expect
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9020	him here soon. Lydia left a few lines for his wife, informing her of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9021	their intention. I must conclude, for I cannot be long from my poor
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9022	mother. I am afraid you will not be able to make it out, but I hardly
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9023	know what I have written.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9024
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9025	Without allowing herself time for consideration, and scarcely knowing
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9026	what she felt, Elizabeth on finishing this letter instantly seized the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9027	other, and opening it with the utmost impatience, read as follows: it
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9028	had been written a day later than the conclusion of the first.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9029
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9030	“By this time, my dearest sister, you have received my hurried letter; I
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9031	wish this may be more intelligible, but though not confined for time, my
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9032	head is so bewildered that I cannot answer for being coherent. Dearest
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9033	Lizzy, I hardly know what I would write, but I have bad news for you,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9034	and it cannot be delayed. Imprudent as the marriage between Mr. Wickham
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9035	and our poor Lydia would be, we are now anxious to be assured it has
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9036	taken place, for there is but too much reason to fear they are not gone
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9037	to Scotland. Colonel Forster came yesterday, having left Brighton the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9038	day before, not many hours after the express. Though Lydia’s short
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9039	letter to Mrs. F. gave them to understand that they were going to Gretna
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9040	Green, something was dropped by Denny expressing his belief that W.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9041	never intended to go there, or to marry Lydia at all, which was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9042	repeated to Colonel F., who, instantly taking the alarm, set off from B.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9043	intending to trace their route. He did trace them easily to Clapham,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9044	but no further; for on entering that place, they removed into a hackney
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9045	coach, and dismissed the chaise that brought them from Epsom. All that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9046	is known after this is, that they were seen to continue the London road.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9047	I know not what to think. After making every possible inquiry on that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9048	side London, Colonel F. came on into Hertfordshire, anxiously renewing
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9049	them at all the turnpikes, and at the inns in Barnet and Hatfield, but
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9050	without any success--no such people had been seen to pass through. With
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9051	the kindest concern he came on to Longbourn, and broke his apprehensions
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9052	to us in a manner most creditable to his heart. I am sincerely grieved
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9053	for him and Mrs. F., but no one can throw any blame on them. Our
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9054	distress, my dear Lizzy, is very great. My father and mother believe the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9055	worst, but I cannot think so ill of him. Many circumstances might make
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9056	it more eligible for them to be married privately in town than to pursue
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9057	their first plan; and even if _he_ could form such a design against a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9058	young woman of Lydia’s connections, which is not likely, can I suppose
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9059	her so lost to everything? Impossible! I grieve to find, however, that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9060	Colonel F. is not disposed to depend upon their marriage; he shook his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9061	head when I expressed my hopes, and said he feared W. was not a man to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9062	be trusted. My poor mother is really ill, and keeps her room. Could she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9063	exert herself, it would be better; but this is not to be expected. And
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9064	as to my father, I never in my life saw him so affected. Poor Kitty has
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9065	anger for having concealed their attachment; but as it was a matter of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9066	confidence, one cannot wonder. I am truly glad, dearest Lizzy, that you
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9067	have been spared something of these distressing scenes; but now, as the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9068	first shock is over, shall I own that I long for your return? I am not
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9069	so selfish, however, as to press for it, if inconvenient. Adieu! I
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9070	take up my pen again to do what I have just told you I would not; but
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9071	circumstances are such that I cannot help earnestly begging you all to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9072	come here as soon as possible. I know my dear uncle and aunt so well,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9073	that I am not afraid of requesting it, though I have still something
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9074	more to ask of the former. My father is going to London with Colonel
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9075	Forster instantly, to try to discover her. What he means to do I am sure
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9076	I know not; but his excessive distress will not allow him to pursue any
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9077	measure in the best and safest way, and Colonel Forster is obliged to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9078	be at Brighton again to-morrow evening. In such an exigence, my
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9079	uncle’s advice and assistance would be everything in the world; he will
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9080	immediately comprehend what I must feel, and I rely upon his goodness.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9081
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9082	“Oh! where, where is my uncle?” cried Elizabeth, darting from her seat
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9083	as she finished the letter, in eagerness to follow him, without losing
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9084	a moment of the time so precious; but as she reached the door it was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9085	opened by a servant, and Mr. Darcy appeared. Her pale face and impetuous
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9086	manner made him start, and before he could recover himself to speak,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9087	she, in whose mind every idea was superseded by Lydia’s situation,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9088	hastily exclaimed, “I beg your pardon, but I must leave you. I must find
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9089	Mr. Gardiner this moment, on business that cannot be delayed; I have not
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9090	an instant to lose.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9091
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9092	“Good God! what is the matter?” cried he, with more feeling than
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9093	politeness; then recollecting himself, “I will not detain you a minute;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9094	but let me, or let the servant go after Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner. You are
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9095	not well enough; you cannot go yourself.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9096
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9097	Elizabeth hesitated, but her knees trembled under her and she felt how
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9098	little would be gained by her attempting to pursue them. Calling back
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9099	the servant, therefore, she commissioned him, though in so breathless
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9100	an accent as made her almost unintelligible, to fetch his master and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9101	mistress home instantly.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9102
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9103	On his quitting the room she sat down, unable to support herself, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9104	looking so miserably ill, that it was impossible for Darcy to leave her,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9105	or to refrain from saying, in a tone of gentleness and commiseration,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9106	“Let me call your maid. Is there nothing you could take to give you
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9107	present relief? A glass of wine; shall I get you one? You are very ill.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9108
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9109	“No, I thank you,” she replied, endeavouring to recover herself. “There
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9110	is nothing the matter with me. I am quite well; I am only distressed by
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9111	some dreadful news which I have just received from Longbourn.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9112
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9113	She burst into tears as she alluded to it, and for a few minutes could
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9114	not speak another word. Darcy, in wretched suspense, could only say
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9115	something indistinctly of his concern, and observe her in compassionate
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9116	silence. At length she spoke again. “I have just had a letter from Jane,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9117	with such dreadful news. It cannot be concealed from anyone. My younger
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9118	sister has left all her friends--has eloped; has thrown herself into
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9119	the power of--of Mr. Wickham. They are gone off together from Brighton.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9120	_You_ know him too well to doubt the rest. She has no money, no
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9121	connections, nothing that can tempt him to--she is lost for ever.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9122
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9123	Darcy was fixed in astonishment. “When I consider,” she added in a yet
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9124	more agitated voice, “that I might have prevented it! I, who knew what
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9125	he was. Had I but explained some part of it only--some part of what I
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9126	learnt, to my own family! Had his character been known, this could not
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9127	have happened. But it is all--all too late now.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9128
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9129	“I am grieved indeed,” cried Darcy; “grieved--shocked. But is it
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9130	certain--absolutely certain?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9131
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9132	“Oh, yes! They left Brighton together on Sunday night, and were traced
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9133	almost to London, but not beyond; they are certainly not gone to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9134	Scotland.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9135
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9136	“And what has been done, what has been attempted, to recover her?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9137
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9138	“My father is gone to London, and Jane has written to beg my uncle’s
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9139	immediate assistance; and we shall be off, I hope, in half-an-hour. But
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9140	nothing can be done--I know very well that nothing can be done. How is
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9141	such a man to be worked on? How are they even to be discovered? I have
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9142	not the smallest hope. It is every way horrible!”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9143
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9144	Darcy shook his head in silent acquiescence.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9145
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9146	“When _my_ eyes were opened to his real character--Oh! had I known what
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9147	I ought, what I dared to do! But I knew not--I was afraid of doing too
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9148	much. Wretched, wretched mistake!”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9149
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9150	Darcy made no answer. He seemed scarcely to hear her, and was walking
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9151	up and down the room in earnest meditation, his brow contracted, his air
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9152	gloomy. Elizabeth soon observed, and instantly understood it. Her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9153	power was sinking; everything _must_ sink under such a proof of family
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9154	weakness, such an assurance of the deepest disgrace. She could neither
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9155	wonder nor condemn, but the belief of his self-conquest brought nothing
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9156	consolatory to her bosom, afforded no palliation of her distress. It
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9157	was, on the contrary, exactly calculated to make her understand her own
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9158	wishes; and never had she so honestly felt that she could have loved
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9159	him, as now, when all love must be vain.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9160
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9161	But self, though it would intrude, could not engross her. Lydia--the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9162	humiliation, the misery she was bringing on them all, soon swallowed
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9163	up every private care; and covering her face with her handkerchief,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9164	Elizabeth was soon lost to everything else; and, after a pause of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9165	several minutes, was only recalled to a sense of her situation by
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9166	the voice of her companion, who, in a manner which, though it spoke
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9167	compassion, spoke likewise restraint, said, “I am afraid you have been
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9168	long desiring my absence, nor have I anything to plead in excuse of my
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9169	stay, but real, though unavailing concern. Would to Heaven that anything
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9170	could be either said or done on my part that might offer consolation to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9171	such distress! But I will not torment you with vain wishes, which may
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9172	seem purposely to ask for your thanks. This unfortunate affair will, I
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9173	fear, prevent my sister’s having the pleasure of seeing you at Pemberley
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9174	to-day.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9175
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9176	“Oh, yes. Be so kind as to apologise for us to Miss Darcy. Say that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9177	urgent business calls us home immediately. Conceal the unhappy truth as
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9178	long as it is possible, I know it cannot be long.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9179
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9180	He readily assured her of his secrecy; again expressed his sorrow for
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9181	her distress, wished it a happier conclusion than there was at present
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9182	reason to hope, and leaving his compliments for her relations, with only
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9183	one serious, parting look, went away.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9184
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9185	As he quitted the room, Elizabeth felt how improbable it was that they
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9186	should ever see each other again on such terms of cordiality as
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9187	had marked their several meetings in Derbyshire; and as she threw a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9188	retrospective glance over the whole of their acquaintance, so full
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9189	of contradictions and varieties, sighed at the perverseness of those
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9190	feelings which would now have promoted its continuance, and would
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9191	formerly have rejoiced in its termination.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9192
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9193	If gratitude and esteem are good foundations of affection, Elizabeth’s
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9194	change of sentiment will be neither improbable nor faulty. But if
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9195	otherwise--if regard springing from such sources is unreasonable or
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9196	unnatural, in comparison of what is so often described as arising on
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9197	a first interview with its object, and even before two words have been
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9198	exchanged, nothing can be said in her defence, except that she had given
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9199	somewhat of a trial to the latter method in her partiality for Wickham,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9200	and that its ill success might, perhaps, authorise her to seek the other
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9201	less interesting mode of attachment. Be that as it may, she saw him
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9202	go with regret; and in this early example of what Lydia’s infamy must
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9203	produce, found additional anguish as she reflected on that wretched
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9204	business. Never, since reading Jane’s second letter, had she entertained
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9205	a hope of Wickham’s meaning to marry her. No one but Jane, she thought,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9206	could flatter herself with such an expectation. Surprise was the least
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9207	of her feelings on this development. While the contents of the first
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9208	letter remained in her mind, she was all surprise--all astonishment that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9209	Wickham should marry a girl whom it was impossible he could marry
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9210	for money; and how Lydia could ever have attached him had appeared
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9211	incomprehensible. But now it was all too natural. For such an attachment
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9212	as this she might have sufficient charms; and though she did not suppose
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9213	Lydia to be deliberately engaging in an elopement without the intention
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9214	of marriage, she had no difficulty in believing that neither her virtue
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9215	nor her understanding would preserve her from falling an easy prey.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9216
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9217	She had never perceived, while the regiment was in Hertfordshire, that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9218	Lydia had any partiality for him; but she was convinced that Lydia
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9219	wanted only encouragement to attach herself to anybody. Sometimes one
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9220	officer, sometimes another, had been her favourite, as their attentions
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9221	raised them in her opinion. Her affections had continually been
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9222	fluctuating but never without an object. The mischief of neglect and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9223	mistaken indulgence towards such a girl--oh! how acutely did she now
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9224	feel it!
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9225
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9226	She was wild to be at home--to hear, to see, to be upon the spot to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9227	share with Jane in the cares that must now fall wholly upon her, in a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9228	family so deranged, a father absent, a mother incapable of exertion, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9229	requiring constant attendance; and though almost persuaded that nothing
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9230	could be done for Lydia, her uncle’s interference seemed of the utmost
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9231	importance, and till he entered the room her impatience was severe. Mr.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9232	and Mrs. Gardiner had hurried back in alarm, supposing by the servant’s
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9233	account that their niece was taken suddenly ill; but satisfying them
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9234	instantly on that head, she eagerly communicated the cause of their
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9235	summons, reading the two letters aloud, and dwelling on the postscript
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9236	of the last with trembling energy.--Though Lydia had never been a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9237	favourite with them, Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner could not but be deeply
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9238	afflicted. Not Lydia only, but all were concerned in it; and after the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9239	first exclamations of surprise and horror, Mr. Gardiner promised every
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9240	assistance in his power. Elizabeth, though expecting no less, thanked
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9241	him with tears of gratitude; and all three being actuated by one spirit,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9242	everything relating to their journey was speedily settled. They were to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9243	be off as soon as possible. “But what is to be done about Pemberley?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9244	cried Mrs. Gardiner. “John told us Mr. Darcy was here when you sent for
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9245	us; was it so?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9246
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9247	“Yes; and I told him we should not be able to keep our engagement.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9248	_That_ is all settled.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9249
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9250	“What is all settled?” repeated the other, as she ran into her room to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9251	prepare. “And are they upon such terms as for her to disclose the real
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9252	truth? Oh, that I knew how it was!”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9253
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9254	But wishes were vain, or at least could only serve to amuse her in the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9255	hurry and confusion of the following hour. Had Elizabeth been at leisure
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9256	to be idle, she would have remained certain that all employment was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9257	impossible to one so wretched as herself; but she had her share of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9258	business as well as her aunt, and amongst the rest there were notes to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9259	be written to all their friends at Lambton, with false excuses for their
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9260	sudden departure. An hour, however, saw the whole completed; and Mr.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9261	Gardiner meanwhile having settled his account at the inn, nothing
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9262	remained to be done but to go; and Elizabeth, after all the misery of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9263	the morning, found herself, in a shorter space of time than she could
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9264	have supposed, seated in the carriage, and on the road to Longbourn.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9265
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9266
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9267
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9268	Chapter 47
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9269
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9270
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9271	“I have been thinking it over again, Elizabeth,” said her uncle, as they
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9272	drove from the town; “and really, upon serious consideration, I am much
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9273	more inclined than I was to judge as your eldest sister does on the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9274	matter. It appears to me so very unlikely that any young man should
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9275	form such a design against a girl who is by no means unprotected or
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9276	friendless, and who was actually staying in his colonel’s family, that I
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9277	am strongly inclined to hope the best. Could he expect that her friends
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9278	would not step forward? Could he expect to be noticed again by the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9279	regiment, after such an affront to Colonel Forster? His temptation is
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9280	not adequate to the risk!”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9281
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9282	“Do you really think so?” cried Elizabeth, brightening up for a moment.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9283
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9284	“Upon my word,” said Mrs. Gardiner, “I begin to be of your uncle’s
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9285	opinion. It is really too great a violation of decency, honour, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9286	interest, for him to be guilty of. I cannot think so very ill of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9287	Wickham. Can you yourself, Lizzy, so wholly give him up, as to believe
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9288	him capable of it?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9289
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9290	“Not, perhaps, of neglecting his own interest; but of every other
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9291	neglect I can believe him capable. If, indeed, it should be so! But I
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9292	dare not hope it. Why should they not go on to Scotland if that had been
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9293	the case?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9294
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9295	“In the first place,” replied Mr. Gardiner, “there is no absolute proof
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9296	that they are not gone to Scotland.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9297
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9298	“Oh! but their removing from the chaise into a hackney coach is such
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9299	a presumption! And, besides, no traces of them were to be found on the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9300	Barnet road.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9301
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9302	“Well, then--supposing them to be in London. They may be there, though
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9303	for the purpose of concealment, for no more exceptional purpose. It is
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9304	not likely that money should be very abundant on either side; and it
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9305	might strike them that they could be more economically, though less
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9306	expeditiously, married in London than in Scotland.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9307
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9308	“But why all this secrecy? Why any fear of detection? Why must their
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9309	marriage be private? Oh, no, no--this is not likely. His most particular
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9310	friend, you see by Jane’s account, was persuaded of his never intending
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9311	to marry her. Wickham will never marry a woman without some money. He
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9312	cannot afford it. And what claims has Lydia--what attraction has she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9313	beyond youth, health, and good humour that could make him, for her sake,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9314	forego every chance of benefiting himself by marrying well? As to what
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9315	restraint the apprehensions of disgrace in the corps might throw on a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9316	dishonourable elopement with her, I am not able to judge; for I know
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9317	nothing of the effects that such a step might produce. But as to your
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9318	other objection, I am afraid it will hardly hold good. Lydia has
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9319	no brothers to step forward; and he might imagine, from my father’s
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9320	behaviour, from his indolence and the little attention he has ever
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9321	seemed to give to what was going forward in his family, that _he_ would
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9322	do as little, and think as little about it, as any father could do, in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9323	such a matter.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9324
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9325	“But can you think that Lydia is so lost to everything but love of him
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9326	as to consent to live with him on any terms other than marriage?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9327
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9328	“It does seem, and it is most shocking indeed,” replied Elizabeth, with
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9329	tears in her eyes, “that a sister’s sense of decency and virtue in such
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9330	a point should admit of doubt. But, really, I know not what to say.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9331	Perhaps I am not doing her justice. But she is very young; she has never
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9332	been taught to think on serious subjects; and for the last half-year,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9333	nay, for a twelvemonth--she has been given up to nothing but amusement
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9334	and vanity. She has been allowed to dispose of her time in the most idle
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9335	and frivolous manner, and to adopt any opinions that came in her way.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9336	Since the ----shire were first quartered in Meryton, nothing but love,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9337	flirtation, and officers have been in her head. She has been doing
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9338	everything in her power by thinking and talking on the subject, to give
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9339	greater--what shall I call it? susceptibility to her feelings; which are
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9340	naturally lively enough. And we all know that Wickham has every charm of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9341	person and address that can captivate a woman.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9342
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9343	“But you see that Jane,” said her aunt, “does not think so very ill of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9344	Wickham as to believe him capable of the attempt.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9345
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9346	“Of whom does Jane ever think ill? And who is there, whatever might be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9347	their former conduct, that she would think capable of such an attempt,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9348	till it were proved against them? But Jane knows, as well as I do, what
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9349	Wickham really is. We both know that he has been profligate in every
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9350	sense of the word; that he has neither integrity nor honour; that he is
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9351	as false and deceitful as he is insinuating.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9352
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9353	“And do you really know all this?” cried Mrs. Gardiner, whose curiosity
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9354	as to the mode of her intelligence was all alive.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9355
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9356	“I do indeed,” replied Elizabeth, colouring. “I told you, the other day,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9357	of his infamous behaviour to Mr. Darcy; and you yourself, when last at
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9358	Longbourn, heard in what manner he spoke of the man who had behaved
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9359	with such forbearance and liberality towards him. And there are other
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9360	circumstances which I am not at liberty--which it is not worth while to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9361	relate; but his lies about the whole Pemberley family are endless. From
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9362	what he said of Miss Darcy I was thoroughly prepared to see a proud,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9363	reserved, disagreeable girl. Yet he knew to the contrary himself. He
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9364	must know that she was as amiable and unpretending as we have found
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9365	her.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9366
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9367	“But does Lydia know nothing of this? can she be ignorant of what you
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9368	and Jane seem so well to understand?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9369
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9370	“Oh, yes!--that, that is the worst of all. Till I was in Kent, and saw
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9371	so much both of Mr. Darcy and his relation Colonel Fitzwilliam, I was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9372	ignorant of the truth myself. And when I returned home, the ----shire
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9373	was to leave Meryton in a week or fortnight’s time. As that was the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9374	case, neither Jane, to whom I related the whole, nor I, thought it
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9375	necessary to make our knowledge public; for of what use could
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9376	it apparently be to any one, that the good opinion which all the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9377	neighbourhood had of him should then be overthrown? And even when it was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9378	settled that Lydia should go with Mrs. Forster, the necessity of opening
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9379	her eyes to his character never occurred to me. That _she_ could be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9380	in any danger from the deception never entered my head. That such a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9381	consequence as _this_ could ensue, you may easily believe, was far
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9382	enough from my thoughts.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9383
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9384	“When they all removed to Brighton, therefore, you had no reason, I
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9385	suppose, to believe them fond of each other?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9386
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9387	“Not the slightest. I can remember no symptom of affection on either
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9388	side; and had anything of the kind been perceptible, you must be aware
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9389	that ours is not a family on which it could be thrown away. When first
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9390	he entered the corps, she was ready enough to admire him; but so we all
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9391	were. Every girl in or near Meryton was out of her senses about him for
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9392	the first two months; but he never distinguished _her_ by any particular
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9393	attention; and, consequently, after a moderate period of extravagant and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9394	wild admiration, her fancy for him gave way, and others of the regiment,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9395	who treated her with more distinction, again became her favourites.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9396
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9397	* * * * *
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9398
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9399	It may be easily believed, that however little of novelty could be added
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9400	to their fears, hopes, and conjectures, on this interesting subject, by
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9401	its repeated discussion, no other could detain them from it long, during
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9402	the whole of the journey. From Elizabeth’s thoughts it was never absent.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9403	Fixed there by the keenest of all anguish, self-reproach, she could find
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9404	no interval of ease or forgetfulness.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9405
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9406	They travelled as expeditiously as possible, and, sleeping one night
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9407	on the road, reached Longbourn by dinner time the next day. It was a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9408	comfort to Elizabeth to consider that Jane could not have been wearied
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9409	by long expectations.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9410
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9411	The little Gardiners, attracted by the sight of a chaise, were standing
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9412	on the steps of the house as they entered the paddock; and, when the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9413	carriage drove up to the door, the joyful surprise that lighted up their
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9414	faces, and displayed itself over their whole bodies, in a variety of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9415	capers and frisks, was the first pleasing earnest of their welcome.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9416
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9417	Elizabeth jumped out; and, after giving each of them a hasty kiss,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9418	hurried into the vestibule, where Jane, who came running down from her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9419	mother’s apartment, immediately met her.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9420
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9421	Elizabeth, as she affectionately embraced her, whilst tears filled the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9422	eyes of both, lost not a moment in asking whether anything had been
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9423	heard of the fugitives.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9424
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9425	“Not yet,” replied Jane. “But now that my dear uncle is come, I hope
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9426	everything will be well.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9427
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9428	“Is my father in town?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9429
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9430	“Yes, he went on Tuesday, as I wrote you word.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9431
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9432	“And have you heard from him often?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9433
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9434	“We have heard only twice. He wrote me a few lines on Wednesday to say
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9435	that he had arrived in safety, and to give me his directions, which I
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9436	particularly begged him to do. He merely added that he should not write
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9437	again till he had something of importance to mention.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9438
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9439	“And my mother--how is she? How are you all?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9440
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9441	“My mother is tolerably well, I trust; though her spirits are greatly
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9442	shaken. She is up stairs and will have great satisfaction in seeing you
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9443	all. She does not yet leave her dressing-room. Mary and Kitty, thank
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9444	Heaven, are quite well.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9445
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9446	“But you--how are you?” cried Elizabeth. “You look pale. How much you
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9447	must have gone through!”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9448
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9449	Her sister, however, assured her of her being perfectly well; and their
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9450	conversation, which had been passing while Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner were
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9451	engaged with their children, was now put an end to by the approach
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9452	of the whole party. Jane ran to her uncle and aunt, and welcomed and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9453	thanked them both, with alternate smiles and tears.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9454
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9455	When they were all in the drawing-room, the questions which Elizabeth
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9456	had already asked were of course repeated by the others, and they soon
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9457	found that Jane had no intelligence to give. The sanguine hope of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9458	good, however, which the benevolence of her heart suggested had not yet
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9459	deserted her; she still expected that it would all end well, and that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9460	every morning would bring some letter, either from Lydia or her father,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9461	to explain their proceedings, and, perhaps, announce their marriage.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9462
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9463	Mrs. Bennet, to whose apartment they all repaired, after a few minutes’
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9464	conversation together, received them exactly as might be expected; with
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9465	tears and lamentations of regret, invectives against the villainous
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9466	conduct of Wickham, and complaints of her own sufferings and ill-usage;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9467	blaming everybody but the person to whose ill-judging indulgence the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9468	errors of her daughter must principally be owing.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9469
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9470	“If I had been able,” said she, “to carry my point in going to Brighton,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9471	with all my family, _this_ would not have happened; but poor dear Lydia
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9472	had nobody to take care of her. Why did the Forsters ever let her go out
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9473	of their sight? I am sure there was some great neglect or other on their
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9474	side, for she is not the kind of girl to do such a thing if she had been
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9475	well looked after. I always thought they were very unfit to have the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9476	charge of her; but I was overruled, as I always am. Poor dear child!
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9477	And now here’s Mr. Bennet gone away, and I know he will fight Wickham,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9478	wherever he meets him and then he will be killed, and what is to become
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9479	of us all? The Collinses will turn us out before he is cold in his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9480	grave, and if you are not kind to us, brother, I do not know what we
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9481	shall do.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9482
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9483	They all exclaimed against such terrific ideas; and Mr. Gardiner, after
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9484	general assurances of his affection for her and all her family, told her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9485	that he meant to be in London the very next day, and would assist Mr.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9486	Bennet in every endeavour for recovering Lydia.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9487
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9488	“Do not give way to useless alarm,” added he; “though it is right to be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9489	prepared for the worst, there is no occasion to look on it as certain.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9490	It is not quite a week since they left Brighton. In a few days more we
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9491	may gain some news of them; and till we know that they are not married,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9492	and have no design of marrying, do not let us give the matter over as
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9493	lost. As soon as I get to town I shall go to my brother, and make
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9494	him come home with me to Gracechurch Street; and then we may consult
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9495	together as to what is to be done.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9496
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9497	“Oh! my dear brother,” replied Mrs. Bennet, “that is exactly what I
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9498	could most wish for. And now do, when you get to town, find them out,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9499	wherever they may be; and if they are not married already, _make_ them
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9500	marry. And as for wedding clothes, do not let them wait for that, but
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9501	tell Lydia she shall have as much money as she chooses to buy them,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9502	after they are married. And, above all, keep Mr. Bennet from fighting.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9503	Tell him what a dreadful state I am in, that I am frighted out of my
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9504	wits--and have such tremblings, such flutterings, all over me--such
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9505	spasms in my side and pains in my head, and such beatings at heart, that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9506	I can get no rest by night nor by day. And tell my dear Lydia not to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9507	give any directions about her clothes till she has seen me, for she does
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9508	not know which are the best warehouses. Oh, brother, how kind you are! I
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9509	know you will contrive it all.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9510
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9511	But Mr. Gardiner, though he assured her again of his earnest endeavours
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9512	in the cause, could not avoid recommending moderation to her, as well
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9513	in her hopes as her fear; and after talking with her in this manner till
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9514	dinner was on the table, they all left her to vent all her feelings on
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9515	the housekeeper, who attended in the absence of her daughters.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9516
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9517	Though her brother and sister were persuaded that there was no real
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9518	occasion for such a seclusion from the family, they did not attempt to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9519	oppose it, for they knew that she had not prudence enough to hold her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9520	tongue before the servants, while they waited at table, and judged it
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9521	better that _one_ only of the household, and the one whom they could
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9522	most trust should comprehend all her fears and solicitude on the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9523	subject.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9524
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9525	In the dining-room they were soon joined by Mary and Kitty, who had been
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9526	too busily engaged in their separate apartments to make their appearance
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9527	before. One came from her books, and the other from her toilette. The
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9528	faces of both, however, were tolerably calm; and no change was visible
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9529	in either, except that the loss of her favourite sister, or the anger
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9530	which she had herself incurred in this business, had given more of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9531	fretfulness than usual to the accents of Kitty. As for Mary, she was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9532	mistress enough of herself to whisper to Elizabeth, with a countenance
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9533	of grave reflection, soon after they were seated at table:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9534
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9535	“This is a most unfortunate affair, and will probably be much talked of.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9536	But we must stem the tide of malice, and pour into the wounded bosoms of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9537	each other the balm of sisterly consolation.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9538
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9539	Then, perceiving in Elizabeth no inclination of replying, she added,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9540	“Unhappy as the event must be for Lydia, we may draw from it this useful
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9541	lesson: that loss of virtue in a female is irretrievable; that one
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9542	false step involves her in endless ruin; that her reputation is no less
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9543	brittle than it is beautiful; and that she cannot be too much guarded in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9544	her behaviour towards the undeserving of the other sex.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9545
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9546	Elizabeth lifted up her eyes in amazement, but was too much oppressed
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9547	to make any reply. Mary, however, continued to console herself with such
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9548	kind of moral extractions from the evil before them.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9549
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9550	In the afternoon, the two elder Miss Bennets were able to be for
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9551	half-an-hour by themselves; and Elizabeth instantly availed herself of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9552	the opportunity of making any inquiries, which Jane was equally eager to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9553	satisfy. After joining in general lamentations over the dreadful sequel
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9554	of this event, which Elizabeth considered as all but certain, and Miss
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9555	Bennet could not assert to be wholly impossible, the former continued
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9556	the subject, by saying, “But tell me all and everything about it which
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9557	I have not already heard. Give me further particulars. What did Colonel
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9558	Forster say? Had they no apprehension of anything before the elopement
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9559	took place? They must have seen them together for ever.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9560
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9561	“Colonel Forster did own that he had often suspected some partiality,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9562	especially on Lydia’s side, but nothing to give him any alarm. I am so
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9563	grieved for him! His behaviour was attentive and kind to the utmost. He
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9564	_was_ coming to us, in order to assure us of his concern, before he had
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9565	any idea of their not being gone to Scotland: when that apprehension
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9566	first got abroad, it hastened his journey.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9567
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9568	“And was Denny convinced that Wickham would not marry? Did he know of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9569	their intending to go off? Had Colonel Forster seen Denny himself?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9570
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9571	“Yes; but, when questioned by _him_, Denny denied knowing anything of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9572	their plans, and would not give his real opinion about it. He did not
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9573	repeat his persuasion of their not marrying--and from _that_, I am
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9574	inclined to hope, he might have been misunderstood before.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9575
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9576	“And till Colonel Forster came himself, not one of you entertained a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9577	doubt, I suppose, of their being really married?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9578
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9579	“How was it possible that such an idea should enter our brains? I felt
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9580	a little uneasy--a little fearful of my sister’s happiness with him
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9581	in marriage, because I knew that his conduct had not been always quite
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9582	right. My father and mother knew nothing of that; they only felt how
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9583	imprudent a match it must be. Kitty then owned, with a very natural
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9584	triumph on knowing more than the rest of us, that in Lydia’s last letter
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9585	she had prepared her for such a step. She had known, it seems, of their
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9586	being in love with each other, many weeks.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9587
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9588	“But not before they went to Brighton?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9589
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9590	“No, I believe not.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9591
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9592	“And did Colonel Forster appear to think well of Wickham himself? Does
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9593	he know his real character?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9594
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9595	“I must confess that he did not speak so well of Wickham as he formerly
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9596	did. He believed him to be imprudent and extravagant. And since this sad
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9597	affair has taken place, it is said that he left Meryton greatly in debt;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9598	but I hope this may be false.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9599
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9600	“Oh, Jane, had we been less secret, had we told what we knew of him,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9601	this could not have happened!”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9602
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9603	“Perhaps it would have been better,” replied her sister. “But to expose
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9604	the former faults of any person without knowing what their present
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9605	feelings were, seemed unjustifiable. We acted with the best intentions.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9606
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9607	“Could Colonel Forster repeat the particulars of Lydia’s note to his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9608	wife?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9609
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9610	“He brought it with him for us to see.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9611
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9612	Jane then took it from her pocket-book, and gave it to Elizabeth. These
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9613	were the contents:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9614
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9615	“MY DEAR HARRIET,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9616
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9617	“You will laugh when you know where I am gone, and I cannot help
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9618	laughing myself at your surprise to-morrow morning, as soon as I am
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9619	missed. I am going to Gretna Green, and if you cannot guess with who,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9620	I shall think you a simpleton, for there is but one man in the world I
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9621	love, and he is an angel. I should never be happy without him, so think
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9622	it no harm to be off. You need not send them word at Longbourn of my
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9623	going, if you do not like it, for it will make the surprise the greater,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9624	when I write to them and sign my name ‘Lydia Wickham.’ What a good joke
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9625	it will be! I can hardly write for laughing. Pray make my excuses to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9626	Pratt for not keeping my engagement, and dancing with him to-night.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9627	Tell him I hope he will excuse me when he knows all; and tell him I will
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9628	dance with him at the next ball we meet, with great pleasure. I shall
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9629	send for my clothes when I get to Longbourn; but I wish you would tell
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9630	Sally to mend a great slit in my worked muslin gown before they are
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9631	packed up. Good-bye. Give my love to Colonel Forster. I hope you will
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9632	drink to our good journey.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9633
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9634	“Your affectionate friend,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9635
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9636	“LYDIA BENNET.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9637
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9638	“Oh! thoughtless, thoughtless Lydia!” cried Elizabeth when she had
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9639	finished it. “What a letter is this, to be written at such a moment!
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9640	But at least it shows that _she_ was serious on the subject of their
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9641	journey. Whatever he might afterwards persuade her to, it was not on her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9642	side a _scheme_ of infamy. My poor father! how he must have felt it!”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9643
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9644	“I never saw anyone so shocked. He could not speak a word for full ten
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9645	minutes. My mother was taken ill immediately, and the whole house in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9646	such confusion!”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9647
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9648	“Oh! Jane,” cried Elizabeth, “was there a servant belonging to it who
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9649	did not know the whole story before the end of the day?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9650
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9651	“I do not know. I hope there was. But to be guarded at such a time is
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9652	very difficult. My mother was in hysterics, and though I endeavoured to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9653	give her every assistance in my power, I am afraid I did not do so
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9654	much as I might have done! But the horror of what might possibly happen
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9655	almost took from me my faculties.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9656
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9657	“Your attendance upon her has been too much for you. You do not look
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9658	well. Oh that I had been with you! you have had every care and anxiety
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9659	upon yourself alone.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9660
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9661	“Mary and Kitty have been very kind, and would have shared in every
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9662	fatigue, I am sure; but I did not think it right for either of them.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9663	Kitty is slight and delicate; and Mary studies so much, that her hours
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9664	of repose should not be broken in on. My aunt Phillips came to Longbourn
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9665	on Tuesday, after my father went away; and was so good as to stay till
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9666	Thursday with me. She was of great use and comfort to us all. And
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9667	Lady Lucas has been very kind; she walked here on Wednesday morning to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9668	condole with us, and offered her services, or any of her daughters’, if
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9669	they should be of use to us.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9670
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9671	“She had better have stayed at home,” cried Elizabeth; “perhaps she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9672	_meant_ well, but, under such a misfortune as this, one cannot see
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9673	too little of one’s neighbours. Assistance is impossible; condolence
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9674	insufferable. Let them triumph over us at a distance, and be satisfied.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9675
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9676	She then proceeded to inquire into the measures which her father had
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9677	intended to pursue, while in town, for the recovery of his daughter.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9678
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9679	“He meant I believe,” replied Jane, “to go to Epsom, the place where
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9680	they last changed horses, see the postilions and try if anything could
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9681	be made out from them. His principal object must be to discover the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9682	number of the hackney coach which took them from Clapham. It had come
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9683	with a fare from London; and as he thought that the circumstance of a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9684	gentleman and lady’s removing from one carriage into another might
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9685	be remarked he meant to make inquiries at Clapham. If he could anyhow
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9686	discover at what house the coachman had before set down his fare, he
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9687	determined to make inquiries there, and hoped it might not be impossible
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9688	to find out the stand and number of the coach. I do not know of any
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9689	other designs that he had formed; but he was in such a hurry to be gone,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9690	and his spirits so greatly discomposed, that I had difficulty in finding
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9691	out even so much as this.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9692
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9693
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9694
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9695	Chapter 48
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9696
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9697
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9698	The whole party were in hopes of a letter from Mr. Bennet the next
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9699	morning, but the post came in without bringing a single line from him.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9700	His family knew him to be, on all common occasions, a most negligent and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9701	dilatory correspondent; but at such a time they had hoped for exertion.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9702	They were forced to conclude that he had no pleasing intelligence to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9703	send; but even of _that_ they would have been glad to be certain. Mr.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9704	Gardiner had waited only for the letters before he set off.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9705
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9706	When he was gone, they were certain at least of receiving constant
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9707	information of what was going on, and their uncle promised, at parting,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9708	to prevail on Mr. Bennet to return to Longbourn, as soon as he could,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9709	to the great consolation of his sister, who considered it as the only
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9710	security for her husband’s not being killed in a duel.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9711
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9712	Mrs. Gardiner and the children were to remain in Hertfordshire a few
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9713	days longer, as the former thought her presence might be serviceable
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9714	to her nieces. She shared in their attendance on Mrs. Bennet, and was a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9715	great comfort to them in their hours of freedom. Their other aunt also
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9716	visited them frequently, and always, as she said, with the design of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9717	cheering and heartening them up--though, as she never came without
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9718	reporting some fresh instance of Wickham’s extravagance or irregularity,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9719	she seldom went away without leaving them more dispirited than she found
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9720	them.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9721
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9722	All Meryton seemed striving to blacken the man who, but three months
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9723	before, had been almost an angel of light. He was declared to be in debt
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9724	to every tradesman in the place, and his intrigues, all honoured with
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9725	the title of seduction, had been extended into every tradesman’s family.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9726	Everybody declared that he was the wickedest young man in the world;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9727	and everybody began to find out that they had always distrusted the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9728	appearance of his goodness. Elizabeth, though she did not credit above
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9729	half of what was said, believed enough to make her former assurance of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9730	her sister’s ruin more certain; and even Jane, who believed still less
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9731	of it, became almost hopeless, more especially as the time was now come
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9732	when, if they had gone to Scotland, which she had never before entirely
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9733	despaired of, they must in all probability have gained some news of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9734	them.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9735
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9736	Mr. Gardiner left Longbourn on Sunday; on Tuesday his wife received a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9737	letter from him; it told them that, on his arrival, he had immediately
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9738	found out his brother, and persuaded him to come to Gracechurch Street;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9739	that Mr. Bennet had been to Epsom and Clapham, before his arrival,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9740	but without gaining any satisfactory information; and that he was now
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9741	determined to inquire at all the principal hotels in town, as Mr. Bennet
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9742	thought it possible they might have gone to one of them, on their first
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9743	coming to London, before they procured lodgings. Mr. Gardiner himself
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9744	did not expect any success from this measure, but as his brother was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9745	eager in it, he meant to assist him in pursuing it. He added that Mr.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9746	Bennet seemed wholly disinclined at present to leave London and promised
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9747	to write again very soon. There was also a postscript to this effect:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9748
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9749	“I have written to Colonel Forster to desire him to find out, if
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9750	possible, from some of the young man’s intimates in the regiment,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9751	whether Wickham has any relations or connections who would be likely to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9752	know in what part of town he has now concealed himself. If there were
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9753	anyone that one could apply to with a probability of gaining such a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9754	clue as that, it might be of essential consequence. At present we have
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9755	nothing to guide us. Colonel Forster will, I dare say, do everything in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9756	his power to satisfy us on this head. But, on second thoughts, perhaps,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9757	Lizzy could tell us what relations he has now living, better than any
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9758	other person.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9759
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9760	Elizabeth was at no loss to understand from whence this deference to her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9761	authority proceeded; but it was not in her power to give any information
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9762	of so satisfactory a nature as the compliment deserved. She had never
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9763	heard of his having had any relations, except a father and mother, both
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9764	of whom had been dead many years. It was possible, however, that some of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9765	his companions in the ----shire might be able to give more information;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9766	and though she was not very sanguine in expecting it, the application
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9767	was a something to look forward to.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9768
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9769	Every day at Longbourn was now a day of anxiety; but the most anxious
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9770	part of each was when the post was expected. The arrival of letters
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9771	was the grand object of every morning’s impatience. Through letters,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9772	whatever of good or bad was to be told would be communicated, and every
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9773	succeeding day was expected to bring some news of importance.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9774
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9775	But before they heard again from Mr. Gardiner, a letter arrived for
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9776	their father, from a different quarter, from Mr. Collins; which, as Jane
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9777	had received directions to open all that came for him in his absence,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9778	she accordingly read; and Elizabeth, who knew what curiosities his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9779	letters always were, looked over her, and read it likewise. It was as
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9780	follows:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9781
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9782	“MY DEAR SIR,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9783
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9784	“I feel myself called upon, by our relationship, and my situation
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9785	in life, to condole with you on the grievous affliction you are now
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9786	suffering under, of which we were yesterday informed by a letter from
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9787	Hertfordshire. Be assured, my dear sir, that Mrs. Collins and myself
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9788	sincerely sympathise with you and all your respectable family, in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9789	your present distress, which must be of the bitterest kind, because
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9790	proceeding from a cause which no time can remove. No arguments shall be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9791	wanting on my part that can alleviate so severe a misfortune--or that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9792	may comfort you, under a circumstance that must be of all others the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9793	most afflicting to a parent’s mind. The death of your daughter would
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9794	have been a blessing in comparison of this. And it is the more to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9795	be lamented, because there is reason to suppose as my dear Charlotte
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9796	informs me, that this licentiousness of behaviour in your daughter has
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9797	proceeded from a faulty degree of indulgence; though, at the same time,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9798	for the consolation of yourself and Mrs. Bennet, I am inclined to think
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9799	that her own disposition must be naturally bad, or she could not be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9800	guilty of such an enormity, at so early an age. Howsoever that may be,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9801	you are grievously to be pitied; in which opinion I am not only joined
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9802	by Mrs. Collins, but likewise by Lady Catherine and her daughter, to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9803	whom I have related the affair. They agree with me in apprehending that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9804	this false step in one daughter will be injurious to the fortunes of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9805	all the others; for who, as Lady Catherine herself condescendingly says,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9806	will connect themselves with such a family? And this consideration leads
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9807	me moreover to reflect, with augmented satisfaction, on a certain event
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9808	of last November; for had it been otherwise, I must have been involved
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9809	in all your sorrow and disgrace. Let me then advise you, dear sir, to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9810	console yourself as much as possible, to throw off your unworthy child
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9811	from your affection for ever, and leave her to reap the fruits of her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9812	own heinous offense.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9813
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9814	“I am, dear sir, etc., etc.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9815
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9816	Mr. Gardiner did not write again till he had received an answer from
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9817	Colonel Forster; and then he had nothing of a pleasant nature to send.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9818	It was not known that Wickham had a single relationship with whom he
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9819	kept up any connection, and it was certain that he had no near one
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9820	living. His former acquaintances had been numerous; but since he
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9821	had been in the militia, it did not appear that he was on terms of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9822	particular friendship with any of them. There was no one, therefore,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9823	who could be pointed out as likely to give any news of him. And in the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9824	wretched state of his own finances, there was a very powerful motive for
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9825	secrecy, in addition to his fear of discovery by Lydia’s relations, for
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9826	it had just transpired that he had left gaming debts behind him to a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9827	very considerable amount. Colonel Forster believed that more than a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9828	thousand pounds would be necessary to clear his expenses at Brighton.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9829	He owed a good deal in town, but his debts of honour were still more
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9830	formidable. Mr. Gardiner did not attempt to conceal these particulars
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9831	from the Longbourn family. Jane heard them with horror. “A gamester!”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9832	she cried. “This is wholly unexpected. I had not an idea of it.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9833
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9834	Mr. Gardiner added in his letter, that they might expect to see their
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9835	father at home on the following day, which was Saturday. Rendered
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9836	spiritless by the ill-success of all their endeavours, he had yielded
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9837	to his brother-in-law’s entreaty that he would return to his family, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9838	leave it to him to do whatever occasion might suggest to be advisable
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9839	for continuing their pursuit. When Mrs. Bennet was told of this, she did
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9840	not express so much satisfaction as her children expected, considering
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9841	what her anxiety for his life had been before.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9842
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9843	“What, is he coming home, and without poor Lydia?” she cried. “Sure he
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9844	will not leave London before he has found them. Who is to fight Wickham,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9845	and make him marry her, if he comes away?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9846
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9847	As Mrs. Gardiner began to wish to be at home, it was settled that she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9848	and the children should go to London, at the same time that Mr. Bennet
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9849	came from it. The coach, therefore, took them the first stage of their
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9850	journey, and brought its master back to Longbourn.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9851
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9852	Mrs. Gardiner went away in all the perplexity about Elizabeth and her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9853	Derbyshire friend that had attended her from that part of the world. His
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9854	name had never been voluntarily mentioned before them by her niece; and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9855	the kind of half-expectation which Mrs. Gardiner had formed, of their
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9856	being followed by a letter from him, had ended in nothing. Elizabeth had
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9857	received none since her return that could come from Pemberley.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9858
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9859	The present unhappy state of the family rendered any other excuse for
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9860	the lowness of her spirits unnecessary; nothing, therefore, could be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9861	fairly conjectured from _that_, though Elizabeth, who was by this time
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9862	tolerably well acquainted with her own feelings, was perfectly aware
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9863	that, had she known nothing of Darcy, she could have borne the dread of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9864	Lydia’s infamy somewhat better. It would have spared her, she thought,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9865	one sleepless night out of two.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9866
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9867	When Mr. Bennet arrived, he had all the appearance of his usual
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9868	philosophic composure. He said as little as he had ever been in the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9869	habit of saying; made no mention of the business that had taken him
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9870	away, and it was some time before his daughters had courage to speak of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9871	it.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9872
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9873	It was not till the afternoon, when he had joined them at tea, that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9874	Elizabeth ventured to introduce the subject; and then, on her briefly
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9875	expressing her sorrow for what he must have endured, he replied, “Say
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9876	nothing of that. Who should suffer but myself? It has been my own doing,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9877	and I ought to feel it.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9878
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9879	“You must not be too severe upon yourself,” replied Elizabeth.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9880
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9881	“You may well warn me against such an evil. Human nature is so prone
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9882	to fall into it! No, Lizzy, let me once in my life feel how much I have
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9883	been to blame. I am not afraid of being overpowered by the impression.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9884	It will pass away soon enough.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9885
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9886	“Do you suppose them to be in London?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9887
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9888	“Yes; where else can they be so well concealed?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9889
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9890	“And Lydia used to want to go to London,” added Kitty.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9891
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9892	“She is happy then,” said her father drily; “and her residence there
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9893	will probably be of some duration.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9894
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9895	Then after a short silence he continued:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9896
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9897	“Lizzy, I bear you no ill-will for being justified in your advice to me
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9898	last May, which, considering the event, shows some greatness of mind.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9899
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9900	They were interrupted by Miss Bennet, who came to fetch her mother’s
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9901	tea.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9902
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9903	“This is a parade,” he cried, “which does one good; it gives such an
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9904	elegance to misfortune! Another day I will do the same; I will sit in my
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9905	library, in my nightcap and powdering gown, and give as much trouble as
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9906	I can; or, perhaps, I may defer it till Kitty runs away.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9907
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9908	“I am not going to run away, papa,” said Kitty fretfully. “If I should
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9909	ever go to Brighton, I would behave better than Lydia.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9910
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9911	“_You_ go to Brighton. I would not trust you so near it as Eastbourne
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9912	for fifty pounds! No, Kitty, I have at last learnt to be cautious, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9913	you will feel the effects of it. No officer is ever to enter into
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9914	my house again, nor even to pass through the village. Balls will be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9915	absolutely prohibited, unless you stand up with one of your sisters.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9916	And you are never to stir out of doors till you can prove that you have
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9917	spent ten minutes of every day in a rational manner.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9918
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9919	Kitty, who took all these threats in a serious light, began to cry.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9920
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9921	“Well, well,” said he, “do not make yourself unhappy. If you are a good
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9922	girl for the next ten years, I will take you to a review at the end of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9923	them.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9924
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9925
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9926
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9927	Chapter 49
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9928
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9929
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9930	Two days after Mr. Bennet’s return, as Jane and Elizabeth were walking
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9931	together in the shrubbery behind the house, they saw the housekeeper
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9932	coming towards them, and, concluding that she came to call them to their
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9933	mother, went forward to meet her; but, instead of the expected summons,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9934	when they approached her, she said to Miss Bennet, “I beg your pardon,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9935	madam, for interrupting you, but I was in hopes you might have got some
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9936	good news from town, so I took the liberty of coming to ask.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9937
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9938	“What do you mean, Hill? We have heard nothing from town.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9939
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9940	“Dear madam,” cried Mrs. Hill, in great astonishment, “don’t you know
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9941	there is an express come for master from Mr. Gardiner? He has been here
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9942	this half-hour, and master has had a letter.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9943
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9944	Away ran the girls, too eager to get in to have time for speech. They
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9945	ran through the vestibule into the breakfast-room; from thence to the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9946	library; their father was in neither; and they were on the point of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9947	seeking him up stairs with their mother, when they were met by the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9948	butler, who said:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9949
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9950	“If you are looking for my master, ma’am, he is walking towards the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9951	little copse.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9952
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9953	Upon this information, they instantly passed through the hall once
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9954	more, and ran across the lawn after their father, who was deliberately
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9955	pursuing his way towards a small wood on one side of the paddock.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9956
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9957	Jane, who was not so light nor so much in the habit of running as
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9958	Elizabeth, soon lagged behind, while her sister, panting for breath,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9959	came up with him, and eagerly cried out:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9960
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9961	“Oh, papa, what news--what news? Have you heard from my uncle?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9962
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9963	“Yes I have had a letter from him by express.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9964
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9965	“Well, and what news does it bring--good or bad?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9966
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9967	“What is there of good to be expected?” said he, taking the letter from
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9968	his pocket. “But perhaps you would like to read it.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9969
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9970	Elizabeth impatiently caught it from his hand. Jane now came up.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9971
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9972	“Read it aloud,” said their father, “for I hardly know myself what it is
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9973	about.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9974
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9975	“Gracechurch Street, Monday, August 2.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9976
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9977	“MY DEAR BROTHER,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9978
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9979	“At last I am able to send you some tidings of my niece, and such as,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9980	upon the whole, I hope it will give you satisfaction. Soon after you
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9981	left me on Saturday, I was fortunate enough to find out in what part of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9982	London they were. The particulars I reserve till we meet; it is enough
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9983	to know they are discovered. I have seen them both--”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9984
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9985	“Then it is as I always hoped,” cried Jane; “they are married!”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9986
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9987	Elizabeth read on:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9988
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9989	“I have seen them both. They are not married, nor can I find there
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9990	was any intention of being so; but if you are willing to perform the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9991	engagements which I have ventured to make on your side, I hope it will
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9992	not be long before they are. All that is required of you is, to assure
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9993	to your daughter, by settlement, her equal share of the five thousand
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9994	pounds secured among your children after the decease of yourself and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9995	my sister; and, moreover, to enter into an engagement of allowing her,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9996	during your life, one hundred pounds per annum. These are conditions
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9997	which, considering everything, I had no hesitation in complying with,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9998	as far as I thought myself privileged, for you. I shall send this by
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	9999	express, that no time may be lost in bringing me your answer. You
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10000	will easily comprehend, from these particulars, that Mr. Wickham’s
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10001	circumstances are not so hopeless as they are generally believed to be.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10002	The world has been deceived in that respect; and I am happy to say there
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10003	will be some little money, even when all his debts are discharged, to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10004	settle on my niece, in addition to her own fortune. If, as I conclude
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10005	will be the case, you send me full powers to act in your name throughout
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10006	the whole of this business, I will immediately give directions to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10007	Haggerston for preparing a proper settlement. There will not be the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10008	smallest occasion for your coming to town again; therefore stay quiet at
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10009	Longbourn, and depend on my diligence and care. Send back your answer as
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10010	fast as you can, and be careful to write explicitly. We have judged it
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10011	best that my niece should be married from this house, of which I hope
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10012	you will approve. She comes to us to-day. I shall write again as soon as
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10013	anything more is determined on. Yours, etc.,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10014
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10015	“EDW. GARDINER.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10016
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10017	“Is it possible?” cried Elizabeth, when she had finished. “Can it be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10018	possible that he will marry her?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10019
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10020	“Wickham is not so undeserving, then, as we thought him,” said her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10021	sister. “My dear father, I congratulate you.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10022
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10023	“And have you answered the letter?” cried Elizabeth.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10024
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10025	“No; but it must be done soon.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10026
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10027	Most earnestly did she then entreat him to lose no more time before he
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10028	wrote.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10029
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10030	“Oh! my dear father,” she cried, “come back and write immediately.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10031	Consider how important every moment is in such a case.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10032
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10033	“Let me write for you,” said Jane, “if you dislike the trouble
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10034	yourself.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10035
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10036	“I dislike it very much,” he replied; “but it must be done.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10037
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10038	And so saying, he turned back with them, and walked towards the house.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10039
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10040	“And may I ask--” said Elizabeth; “but the terms, I suppose, must be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10041	complied with.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10042
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10043	“Complied with! I am only ashamed of his asking so little.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10044
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10045	“And they _must_ marry! Yet he is _such_ a man!”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10046
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10047	“Yes, yes, they must marry. There is nothing else to be done. But there
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10048	are two things that I want very much to know; one is, how much money
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10049	your uncle has laid down to bring it about; and the other, how am I ever
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10050	to pay him.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10051
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10052	“Money! My uncle!” cried Jane, “what do you mean, sir?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10053
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10054	“I mean, that no man in his senses would marry Lydia on so slight a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10055	temptation as one hundred a year during my life, and fifty after I am
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10056	gone.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10057
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10058	“That is very true,” said Elizabeth; “though it had not occurred to me
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10059	before. His debts to be discharged, and something still to remain! Oh!
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10060	it must be my uncle’s doings! Generous, good man, I am afraid he has
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10061	distressed himself. A small sum could not do all this.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10062
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10063	“No,” said her father; “Wickham’s a fool if he takes her with a farthing
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10064	less than ten thousand pounds. I should be sorry to think so ill of him,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10065	in the very beginning of our relationship.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10066
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10067	“Ten thousand pounds! Heaven forbid! How is half such a sum to be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10068	repaid?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10069
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10070	Mr. Bennet made no answer, and each of them, deep in thought, continued
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10071	silent till they reached the house. Their father then went on to the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10072	library to write, and the girls walked into the breakfast-room.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10073
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10074	“And they are really to be married!” cried Elizabeth, as soon as they
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10075	were by themselves. “How strange this is! And for _this_ we are to be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10076	thankful. That they should marry, small as is their chance of happiness,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10077	and wretched as is his character, we are forced to rejoice. Oh, Lydia!”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10078
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10079	“I comfort myself with thinking,” replied Jane, “that he certainly would
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10080	not marry Lydia if he had not a real regard for her. Though our kind
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10081	uncle has done something towards clearing him, I cannot believe that ten
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10082	thousand pounds, or anything like it, has been advanced. He has children
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10083	of his own, and may have more. How could he spare half ten thousand
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10084	pounds?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10085
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10086	“If he were ever able to learn what Wickham’s debts have been,” said
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10087	Elizabeth, “and how much is settled on his side on our sister, we shall
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10088	exactly know what Mr. Gardiner has done for them, because Wickham has
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10089	not sixpence of his own. The kindness of my uncle and aunt can never
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10090	be requited. Their taking her home, and affording her their personal
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10091	protection and countenance, is such a sacrifice to her advantage as
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10092	years of gratitude cannot enough acknowledge. By this time she is
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10093	actually with them! If such goodness does not make her miserable now,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10094	she will never deserve to be happy! What a meeting for her, when she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10095	first sees my aunt!”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10096
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10097	“We must endeavour to forget all that has passed on either side,” said
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10098	Jane: “I hope and trust they will yet be happy. His consenting to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10099	marry her is a proof, I will believe, that he is come to a right way of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10100	thinking. Their mutual affection will steady them; and I flatter myself
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10101	they will settle so quietly, and live in so rational a manner, as may in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10102	time make their past imprudence forgotten.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10103
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10104	“Their conduct has been such,” replied Elizabeth, “as neither you, nor
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10105	I, nor anybody can ever forget. It is useless to talk of it.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10106
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10107	It now occurred to the girls that their mother was in all likelihood
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10108	perfectly ignorant of what had happened. They went to the library,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10109	therefore, and asked their father whether he would not wish them to make
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10110	it known to her. He was writing and, without raising his head, coolly
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10111	replied:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10112
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10113	“Just as you please.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10114
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10115	“May we take my uncle’s letter to read to her?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10116
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10117	“Take whatever you like, and get away.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10118
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10119	Elizabeth took the letter from his writing-table, and they went up stairs
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10120	together. Mary and Kitty were both with Mrs. Bennet: one communication
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10121	would, therefore, do for all. After a slight preparation for good news,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10122	the letter was read aloud. Mrs. Bennet could hardly contain herself. As
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10123	soon as Jane had read Mr. Gardiner’s hope of Lydia’s being soon
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10124	married, her joy burst forth, and every following sentence added to its
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10125	exuberance. She was now in an irritation as violent from delight, as she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10126	had ever been fidgety from alarm and vexation. To know that her daughter
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10127	would be married was enough. She was disturbed by no fear for her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10128	felicity, nor humbled by any remembrance of her misconduct.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10129
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10130	“My dear, dear Lydia!” she cried. “This is delightful indeed! She will
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10131	be married! I shall see her again! She will be married at sixteen!
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10132	My good, kind brother! I knew how it would be. I knew he would manage
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10133	everything! How I long to see her! and to see dear Wickham too! But the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10134	clothes, the wedding clothes! I will write to my sister Gardiner about
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10135	them directly. Lizzy, my dear, run down to your father, and ask him
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10136	how much he will give her. Stay, stay, I will go myself. Ring the bell,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10137	Kitty, for Hill. I will put on my things in a moment. My dear, dear
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10138	Lydia! How merry we shall be together when we meet!”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10139
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10140	Her eldest daughter endeavoured to give some relief to the violence of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10141	these transports, by leading her thoughts to the obligations which Mr.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10142	Gardiner’s behaviour laid them all under.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10143
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10144	“For we must attribute this happy conclusion,” she added, “in a great
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10145	measure to his kindness. We are persuaded that he has pledged himself to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10146	assist Mr. Wickham with money.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10147
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10148	“Well,” cried her mother, “it is all very right; who should do it but
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10149	her own uncle? If he had not had a family of his own, I and my children
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10150	must have had all his money, you know; and it is the first time we have
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10151	ever had anything from him, except a few presents. Well! I am so happy!
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10152	In a short time I shall have a daughter married. Mrs. Wickham! How well
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10153	it sounds! And she was only sixteen last June. My dear Jane, I am in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10154	such a flutter, that I am sure I can’t write; so I will dictate, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10155	you write for me. We will settle with your father about the money
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10156	afterwards; but the things should be ordered immediately.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10157
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10158	She was then proceeding to all the particulars of calico, muslin, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10159	cambric, and would shortly have dictated some very plentiful orders, had
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10160	not Jane, though with some difficulty, persuaded her to wait till her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10161	father was at leisure to be consulted. One day’s delay, she observed,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10162	would be of small importance; and her mother was too happy to be quite
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10163	so obstinate as usual. Other schemes, too, came into her head.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10164
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10165	“I will go to Meryton,” said she, “as soon as I am dressed, and tell the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10166	good, good news to my sister Philips. And as I come back, I can call
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10167	on Lady Lucas and Mrs. Long. Kitty, run down and order the carriage.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10168	An airing would do me a great deal of good, I am sure. Girls, can I do
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10169	anything for you in Meryton? Oh! Here comes Hill! My dear Hill, have you
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10170	heard the good news? Miss Lydia is going to be married; and you shall
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10171	all have a bowl of punch to make merry at her wedding.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10172
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10173	Mrs. Hill began instantly to express her joy. Elizabeth received her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10174	congratulations amongst the rest, and then, sick of this folly, took
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10175	refuge in her own room, that she might think with freedom.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10176
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10177	Poor Lydia’s situation must, at best, be bad enough; but that it was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10178	no worse, she had need to be thankful. She felt it so; and though, in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10179	looking forward, neither rational happiness nor worldly prosperity could
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10180	be justly expected for her sister, in looking back to what they had
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10181	feared, only two hours ago, she felt all the advantages of what they had
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10182	gained.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10183
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10184
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10185
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10186	Chapter 50
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10187
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10188
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10189	Mr. Bennet had very often wished before this period of his life that,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10190	instead of spending his whole income, he had laid by an annual sum for
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10191	the better provision of his children, and of his wife, if she survived
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10192	him. He now wished it more than ever. Had he done his duty in that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10193	respect, Lydia need not have been indebted to her uncle for whatever
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10194	of honour or credit could now be purchased for her. The satisfaction of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10195	prevailing on one of the most worthless young men in Great Britain to be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10196	her husband might then have rested in its proper place.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10197
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10198	He was seriously concerned that a cause of so little advantage to anyone
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10199	should be forwarded at the sole expense of his brother-in-law, and he
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10200	was determined, if possible, to find out the extent of his assistance,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10201	and to discharge the obligation as soon as he could.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10202
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10203	When first Mr. Bennet had married, economy was held to be perfectly
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10204	useless, for, of course, they were to have a son. The son was to join
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10205	in cutting off the entail, as soon as he should be of age, and the widow
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10206	and younger children would by that means be provided for. Five daughters
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10207	successively entered the world, but yet the son was to come; and Mrs.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10208	Bennet, for many years after Lydia’s birth, had been certain that he
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10209	would. This event had at last been despaired of, but it was then
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10210	too late to be saving. Mrs. Bennet had no turn for economy, and her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10211	husband’s love of independence had alone prevented their exceeding their
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10212	income.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10213
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10214	Five thousand pounds was settled by marriage articles on Mrs. Bennet and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10215	the children. But in what proportions it should be divided amongst the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10216	latter depended on the will of the parents. This was one point, with
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10217	regard to Lydia, at least, which was now to be settled, and Mr. Bennet
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10218	could have no hesitation in acceding to the proposal before him. In
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10219	terms of grateful acknowledgment for the kindness of his brother,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10220	though expressed most concisely, he then delivered on paper his perfect
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10221	approbation of all that was done, and his willingness to fulfil the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10222	engagements that had been made for him. He had never before supposed
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10223	that, could Wickham be prevailed on to marry his daughter, it would
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10224	be done with so little inconvenience to himself as by the present
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10225	arrangement. He would scarcely be ten pounds a year the loser by the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10226	hundred that was to be paid them; for, what with her board and pocket
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10227	allowance, and the continual presents in money which passed to her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10228	through her mother’s hands, Lydia’s expenses had been very little within
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10229	that sum.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10230
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10231	That it would be done with such trifling exertion on his side, too, was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10232	another very welcome surprise; for his wish at present was to have as
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10233	little trouble in the business as possible. When the first transports
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10234	of rage which had produced his activity in seeking her were over, he
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10235	naturally returned to all his former indolence. His letter was soon
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10236	dispatched; for, though dilatory in undertaking business, he was quick
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10237	in its execution. He begged to know further particulars of what he
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10238	was indebted to his brother, but was too angry with Lydia to send any
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10239	message to her.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10240
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10241	The good news spread quickly through the house, and with proportionate
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10242	speed through the neighbourhood. It was borne in the latter with decent
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10243	philosophy. To be sure, it would have been more for the advantage
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10244	of conversation had Miss Lydia Bennet come upon the town; or, as the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10245	happiest alternative, been secluded from the world, in some distant
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10246	farmhouse. But there was much to be talked of in marrying her; and the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10247	good-natured wishes for her well-doing which had proceeded before from
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10248	all the spiteful old ladies in Meryton lost but a little of their spirit
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10249	in this change of circumstances, because with such an husband her misery
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10250	was considered certain.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10251
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10252	It was a fortnight since Mrs. Bennet had been downstairs; but on this
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10253	happy day she again took her seat at the head of her table, and in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10254	spirits oppressively high. No sentiment of shame gave a damp to her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10255	triumph. The marriage of a daughter, which had been the first object
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10256	of her wishes since Jane was sixteen, was now on the point of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10257	accomplishment, and her thoughts and her words ran wholly on those
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10258	attendants of elegant nuptials, fine muslins, new carriages, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10259	servants. She was busily searching through the neighbourhood for a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10260	proper situation for her daughter, and, without knowing or considering
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10261	what their income might be, rejected many as deficient in size and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10262	importance.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10263
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10264	“Haye Park might do,” said she, “if the Gouldings could quit it--or the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10265	great house at Stoke, if the drawing-room were larger; but Ashworth is
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10266	too far off! I could not bear to have her ten miles from me; and as for
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10267	Pulvis Lodge, the attics are dreadful.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10268
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10269	Her husband allowed her to talk on without interruption while the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10270	servants remained. But when they had withdrawn, he said to her: “Mrs.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10271	Bennet, before you take any or all of these houses for your son and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10272	daughter, let us come to a right understanding. Into _one_ house in this
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10273	neighbourhood they shall never have admittance. I will not encourage the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10274	impudence of either, by receiving them at Longbourn.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10275
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10276	A long dispute followed this declaration; but Mr. Bennet was firm. It
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10277	soon led to another; and Mrs. Bennet found, with amazement and horror,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10278	that her husband would not advance a guinea to buy clothes for his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10279	daughter. He protested that she should receive from him no mark of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10280	affection whatever on the occasion. Mrs. Bennet could hardly comprehend
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10281	it. That his anger could be carried to such a point of inconceivable
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10282	resentment as to refuse his daughter a privilege without which her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10283	marriage would scarcely seem valid, exceeded all she could believe
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10284	possible. She was more alive to the disgrace which her want of new
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10285	clothes must reflect on her daughter’s nuptials, than to any sense of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10286	shame at her eloping and living with Wickham a fortnight before they
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10287	took place.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10288
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10289	Elizabeth was now most heartily sorry that she had, from the distress of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10290	the moment, been led to make Mr. Darcy acquainted with their fears for
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10291	her sister; for since her marriage would so shortly give the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10292	proper termination to the elopement, they might hope to conceal its
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10293	unfavourable beginning from all those who were not immediately on the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10294	spot.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10295
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10296	She had no fear of its spreading farther through his means. There were
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10297	few people on whose secrecy she would have more confidently depended;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10298	but, at the same time, there was no one whose knowledge of a sister’s
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10299	frailty would have mortified her so much--not, however, from any fear
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10300	of disadvantage from it individually to herself, for, at any rate,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10301	there seemed a gulf impassable between them. Had Lydia’s marriage been
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10302	concluded on the most honourable terms, it was not to be supposed that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10303	Mr. Darcy would connect himself with a family where, to every other
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10304	objection, would now be added an alliance and relationship of the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10305	nearest kind with a man whom he so justly scorned.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10306
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10307	From such a connection she could not wonder that he would shrink. The
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10308	wish of procuring her regard, which she had assured herself of his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10309	feeling in Derbyshire, could not in rational expectation survive such a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10310	blow as this. She was humbled, she was grieved; she repented, though she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10311	hardly knew of what. She became jealous of his esteem, when she could no
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10312	longer hope to be benefited by it. She wanted to hear of him, when there
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10313	seemed the least chance of gaining intelligence. She was convinced that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10314	she could have been happy with him, when it was no longer likely they
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10315	should meet.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10316
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10317	What a triumph for him, as she often thought, could he know that the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10318	proposals which she had proudly spurned only four months ago, would now
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10319	have been most gladly and gratefully received! He was as generous, she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10320	doubted not, as the most generous of his sex; but while he was mortal,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10321	there must be a triumph.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10322
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10323	She began now to comprehend that he was exactly the man who, in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10324	disposition and talents, would most suit her. His understanding and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10325	temper, though unlike her own, would have answered all her wishes. It
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10326	was an union that must have been to the advantage of both; by her ease
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10327	and liveliness, his mind might have been softened, his manners improved;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10328	and from his judgement, information, and knowledge of the world, she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10329	must have received benefit of greater importance.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10330
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10331	But no such happy marriage could now teach the admiring multitude what
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10332	connubial felicity really was. An union of a different tendency, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10333	precluding the possibility of the other, was soon to be formed in their
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10334	family.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10335
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10336	How Wickham and Lydia were to be supported in tolerable independence,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10337	she could not imagine. But how little of permanent happiness could
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10338	belong to a couple who were only brought together because their passions
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10339	were stronger than their virtue, she could easily conjecture.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10340
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10341	* * * * *
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10342
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10343	Mr. Gardiner soon wrote again to his brother. To Mr. Bennet’s
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10344	acknowledgments he briefly replied, with assurance of his eagerness to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10345	promote the welfare of any of his family; and concluded with entreaties
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10346	that the subject might never be mentioned to him again. The principal
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10347	purport of his letter was to inform them that Mr. Wickham had resolved
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10348	on quitting the militia.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10349
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10350	“It was greatly my wish that he should do so,” he added, “as soon as
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10351	his marriage was fixed on. And I think you will agree with me, in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10352	considering the removal from that corps as highly advisable, both on
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10353	his account and my niece’s. It is Mr. Wickham’s intention to go into
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10354	the regulars; and among his former friends, there are still some who
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10355	are able and willing to assist him in the army. He has the promise of an
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10356	ensigncy in General ----‘s regiment, now quartered in the North. It
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10357	is an advantage to have it so far from this part of the kingdom. He
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10358	promises fairly; and I hope among different people, where they may each
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10359	have a character to preserve, they will both be more prudent. I have
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10360	written to Colonel Forster, to inform him of our present arrangements,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10361	and to request that he will satisfy the various creditors of Mr. Wickham
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10362	in and near Brighton, with assurances of speedy payment, for which I
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10363	have pledged myself. And will you give yourself the trouble of carrying
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10364	similar assurances to his creditors in Meryton, of whom I shall subjoin
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10365	a list according to his information? He has given in all his debts; I
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10366	hope at least he has not deceived us. Haggerston has our directions,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10367	and all will be completed in a week. They will then join his regiment,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10368	unless they are first invited to Longbourn; and I understand from Mrs.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10369	Gardiner, that my niece is very desirous of seeing you all before she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10370	leaves the South. She is well, and begs to be dutifully remembered to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10371	you and her mother.--Yours, etc.,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10372
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10373	“E. GARDINER.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10374
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10375	Mr. Bennet and his daughters saw all the advantages of Wickham’s removal
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10376	from the ----shire as clearly as Mr. Gardiner could do. But Mrs. Bennet
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10377	was not so well pleased with it. Lydia’s being settled in the North,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10378	just when she had expected most pleasure and pride in her company,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10379	for she had by no means given up her plan of their residing in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10380	Hertfordshire, was a severe disappointment; and, besides, it was such a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10381	pity that Lydia should be taken from a regiment where she was acquainted
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10382	with everybody, and had so many favourites.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10383
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10384	“She is so fond of Mrs. Forster,” said she, “it will be quite shocking
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10385	to send her away! And there are several of the young men, too, that she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10386	likes very much. The officers may not be so pleasant in General ----‘s
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10387	regiment.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10388
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10389	His daughter’s request, for such it might be considered, of being
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10390	admitted into her family again before she set off for the North,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10391	received at first an absolute negative. But Jane and Elizabeth,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10392	who agreed in wishing, for the sake of their sister’s feelings and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10393	consequence, that she should be noticed on her marriage by her parents,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10394	urged him so earnestly yet so rationally and so mildly, to receive her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10395	and her husband at Longbourn, as soon as they were married, that he was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10396	prevailed on to think as they thought, and act as they wished. And their
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10397	mother had the satisfaction of knowing that she would be able to show
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10398	her married daughter in the neighbourhood before she was banished to the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10399	North. When Mr. Bennet wrote again to his brother, therefore, he sent
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10400	his permission for them to come; and it was settled, that as soon as
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10401	the ceremony was over, they should proceed to Longbourn. Elizabeth was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10402	surprised, however, that Wickham should consent to such a scheme, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10403	had she consulted only her own inclination, any meeting with him would
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10404	have been the last object of her wishes.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10405
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10406
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10407
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10408	Chapter 51
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10409
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10410
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10411	Their sister’s wedding day arrived; and Jane and Elizabeth felt for her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10412	probably more than she felt for herself. The carriage was sent to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10413	meet them at ----, and they were to return in it by dinner-time. Their
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10414	arrival was dreaded by the elder Miss Bennets, and Jane more especially,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10415	who gave Lydia the feelings which would have attended herself, had she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10416	been the culprit, and was wretched in the thought of what her sister
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10417	must endure.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10418
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10419	They came. The family were assembled in the breakfast room to receive
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10420	them. Smiles decked the face of Mrs. Bennet as the carriage drove up to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10421	the door; her husband looked impenetrably grave; her daughters, alarmed,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10422	anxious, uneasy.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10423
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10424	Lydia’s voice was heard in the vestibule; the door was thrown open, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10425	she ran into the room. Her mother stepped forwards, embraced her, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10426	welcomed her with rapture; gave her hand, with an affectionate smile,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10427	to Wickham, who followed his lady; and wished them both joy with an
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10428	alacrity which shewed no doubt of their happiness.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10429
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10430	Their reception from Mr. Bennet, to whom they then turned, was not quite
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10431	so cordial. His countenance rather gained in austerity; and he scarcely
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10432	opened his lips. The easy assurance of the young couple, indeed, was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10433	enough to provoke him. Elizabeth was disgusted, and even Miss Bennet
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10434	was shocked. Lydia was Lydia still; untamed, unabashed, wild, noisy,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10435	and fearless. She turned from sister to sister, demanding their
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10436	congratulations; and when at length they all sat down, looked eagerly
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10437	round the room, took notice of some little alteration in it, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10438	observed, with a laugh, that it was a great while since she had been
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10439	there.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10440
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10441	Wickham was not at all more distressed than herself, but his manners
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10442	were always so pleasing, that had his character and his marriage been
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10443	exactly what they ought, his smiles and his easy address, while he
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10444	claimed their relationship, would have delighted them all. Elizabeth had
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10445	not before believed him quite equal to such assurance; but she sat down,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10446	resolving within herself to draw no limits in future to the impudence
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10447	of an impudent man. She blushed, and Jane blushed; but the cheeks of the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10448	two who caused their confusion suffered no variation of colour.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10449
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10450	There was no want of discourse. The bride and her mother could neither
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10451	of them talk fast enough; and Wickham, who happened to sit near
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10452	Elizabeth, began inquiring after his acquaintance in that neighbourhood,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10453	with a good humoured ease which she felt very unable to equal in her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10454	replies. They seemed each of them to have the happiest memories in the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10455	world. Nothing of the past was recollected with pain; and Lydia led
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10456	voluntarily to subjects which her sisters would not have alluded to for
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10457	the world.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10458
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10459	“Only think of its being three months,” she cried, “since I went away;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10460	it seems but a fortnight I declare; and yet there have been things
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10461	enough happened in the time. Good gracious! when I went away, I am sure
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10462	I had no more idea of being married till I came back again! though I
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10463	thought it would be very good fun if I was.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10464
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10465	Her father lifted up his eyes. Jane was distressed. Elizabeth looked
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10466	expressively at Lydia; but she, who never heard nor saw anything of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10467	which she chose to be insensible, gaily continued, “Oh! mamma, do the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10468	people hereabouts know I am married to-day? I was afraid they might not;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10469	and we overtook William Goulding in his curricle, so I was determined he
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10470	should know it, and so I let down the side-glass next to him, and took
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10471	off my glove, and let my hand just rest upon the window frame, so that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10472	he might see the ring, and then I bowed and smiled like anything.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10473
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10474	Elizabeth could bear it no longer. She got up, and ran out of the room;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10475	and returned no more, till she heard them passing through the hall to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10476	the dining parlour. She then joined them soon enough to see Lydia, with
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10477	anxious parade, walk up to her mother’s right hand, and hear her say
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10478	to her eldest sister, “Ah! Jane, I take your place now, and you must go
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10479	lower, because I am a married woman.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10480
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10481	It was not to be supposed that time would give Lydia that embarrassment
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10482	from which she had been so wholly free at first. Her ease and good
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10483	spirits increased. She longed to see Mrs. Phillips, the Lucases, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10484	all their other neighbours, and to hear herself called “Mrs. Wickham”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10485	by each of them; and in the mean time, she went after dinner to show her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10486	ring, and boast of being married, to Mrs. Hill and the two housemaids.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10487
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10488	“Well, mamma,” said she, when they were all returned to the breakfast
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10489	room, “and what do you think of my husband? Is not he a charming man? I
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10490	am sure my sisters must all envy me. I only hope they may have half
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10491	my good luck. They must all go to Brighton. That is the place to get
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10492	husbands. What a pity it is, mamma, we did not all go.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10493
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10494	“Very true; and if I had my will, we should. But my dear Lydia, I don’t
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10495	at all like your going such a way off. Must it be so?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10496
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10497	“Oh, lord! yes;--there is nothing in that. I shall like it of all
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10498	things. You and papa, and my sisters, must come down and see us. We
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10499	shall be at Newcastle all the winter, and I dare say there will be some
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10500	balls, and I will take care to get good partners for them all.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10501
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10502	“I should like it beyond anything!” said her mother.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10503
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10504	“And then when you go away, you may leave one or two of my sisters
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10505	behind you; and I dare say I shall get husbands for them before the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10506	winter is over.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10507
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10508	“I thank you for my share of the favour,” said Elizabeth; “but I do not
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10509	particularly like your way of getting husbands.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10510
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10511	Their visitors were not to remain above ten days with them. Mr. Wickham
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10512	had received his commission before he left London, and he was to join
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10513	his regiment at the end of a fortnight.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10514
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10515	No one but Mrs. Bennet regretted that their stay would be so short; and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10516	she made the most of the time by visiting about with her daughter, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10517	having very frequent parties at home. These parties were acceptable to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10518	all; to avoid a family circle was even more desirable to such as did
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10519	think, than such as did not.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10520
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10521	Wickham’s affection for Lydia was just what Elizabeth had expected
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10522	to find it; not equal to Lydia’s for him. She had scarcely needed her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10523	present observation to be satisfied, from the reason of things, that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10524	their elopement had been brought on by the strength of her love, rather
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10525	than by his; and she would have wondered why, without violently caring
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10526	for her, he chose to elope with her at all, had she not felt certain
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10527	that his flight was rendered necessary by distress of circumstances; and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10528	if that were the case, he was not the young man to resist an opportunity
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10529	of having a companion.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10530
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10531	Lydia was exceedingly fond of him. He was her dear Wickham on every
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10532	occasion; no one was to be put in competition with him. He did every
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10533	thing best in the world; and she was sure he would kill more birds on
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10534	the first of September, than any body else in the country.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10535
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10536	One morning, soon after their arrival, as she was sitting with her two
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10537	elder sisters, she said to Elizabeth:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10538
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10539	“Lizzy, I never gave _you_ an account of my wedding, I believe. You
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10540	were not by, when I told mamma and the others all about it. Are not you
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10541	curious to hear how it was managed?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10542
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10543	“No really,” replied Elizabeth; “I think there cannot be too little said
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10544	on the subject.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10545
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10546	“La! You are so strange! But I must tell you how it went off. We were
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10547	married, you know, at St. Clement’s, because Wickham’s lodgings were in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10548	that parish. And it was settled that we should all be there by eleven
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10549	o’clock. My uncle and aunt and I were to go together; and the others
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10550	were to meet us at the church. Well, Monday morning came, and I was in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10551	such a fuss! I was so afraid, you know, that something would happen to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10552	put it off, and then I should have gone quite distracted. And there was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10553	my aunt, all the time I was dressing, preaching and talking away just as
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10554	if she was reading a sermon. However, I did not hear above one word in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10555	ten, for I was thinking, you may suppose, of my dear Wickham. I longed
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10556	to know whether he would be married in his blue coat.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10557
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10558	“Well, and so we breakfasted at ten as usual; I thought it would never
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10559	be over; for, by the bye, you are to understand, that my uncle and aunt
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10560	were horrid unpleasant all the time I was with them. If you’ll believe
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10561	me, I did not once put my foot out of doors, though I was there a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10562	fortnight. Not one party, or scheme, or anything. To be sure London was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10563	rather thin, but, however, the Little Theatre was open. Well, and so
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10564	just as the carriage came to the door, my uncle was called away upon
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10565	business to that horrid man Mr. Stone. And then, you know, when once
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10566	they get together, there is no end of it. Well, I was so frightened I
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10567	did not know what to do, for my uncle was to give me away; and if we
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10568	were beyond the hour, we could not be married all day. But, luckily, he
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10569	came back again in ten minutes’ time, and then we all set out. However,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10570	I recollected afterwards that if he had been prevented going, the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10571	wedding need not be put off, for Mr. Darcy might have done as well.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10572
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10573	“Mr. Darcy!” repeated Elizabeth, in utter amazement.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10574
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10575	“Oh, yes!--he was to come there with Wickham, you know. But gracious
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10576	me! I quite forgot! I ought not to have said a word about it. I promised
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10577	them so faithfully! What will Wickham say? It was to be such a secret!”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10578
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10579	“If it was to be secret,” said Jane, “say not another word on the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10580	subject. You may depend upon my seeking no further.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10581
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10582	“Oh! certainly,” said Elizabeth, though burning with curiosity; “we will
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10583	ask you no questions.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10584
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10585	“Thank you,” said Lydia, “for if you did, I should certainly tell you
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10586	all, and then Wickham would be angry.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10587
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10588	On such encouragement to ask, Elizabeth was forced to put it out of her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10589	power, by running away.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10590
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10591	But to live in ignorance on such a point was impossible; or at least
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10592	it was impossible not to try for information. Mr. Darcy had been at
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10593	her sister’s wedding. It was exactly a scene, and exactly among people,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10594	where he had apparently least to do, and least temptation to go.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10595	Conjectures as to the meaning of it, rapid and wild, hurried into her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10596	brain; but she was satisfied with none. Those that best pleased her, as
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10597	placing his conduct in the noblest light, seemed most improbable. She
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10598	could not bear such suspense; and hastily seizing a sheet of paper,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10599	wrote a short letter to her aunt, to request an explanation of what
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10600	Lydia had dropt, if it were compatible with the secrecy which had been
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10601	intended.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10602
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10603	“You may readily comprehend,” she added, “what my curiosity must be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10604	to know how a person unconnected with any of us, and (comparatively
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10605	speaking) a stranger to our family, should have been amongst you at such
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10606	a time. Pray write instantly, and let me understand it--unless it is,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10607	for very cogent reasons, to remain in the secrecy which Lydia seems
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10608	to think necessary; and then I must endeavour to be satisfied with
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10609	ignorance.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10610
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10611	“Not that I _shall_, though,” she added to herself, as she finished
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10612	the letter; “and my dear aunt, if you do not tell me in an honourable
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10613	manner, I shall certainly be reduced to tricks and stratagems to find it
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10614	out.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10615
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10616	Jane’s delicate sense of honour would not allow her to speak to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10617	Elizabeth privately of what Lydia had let fall; Elizabeth was glad
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10618	of it;--till it appeared whether her inquiries would receive any
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10619	satisfaction, she had rather be without a confidante.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10620
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10621
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10622
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10623	Chapter 52
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10624
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10625
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10626	Elizabeth had the satisfaction of receiving an answer to her letter as
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10627	soon as she possibly could. She was no sooner in possession of it
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10628	than, hurrying into the little copse, where she was least likely to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10629	be interrupted, she sat down on one of the benches and prepared to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10630	be happy; for the length of the letter convinced her that it did not
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10631	contain a denial.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10632
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10633	“Gracechurch street, Sept. 6.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10634
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10635	“MY DEAR NIECE,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10636
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10637	“I have just received your letter, and shall devote this whole morning
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10638	to answering it, as I foresee that a _little_ writing will not comprise
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10639	what I have to tell you. I must confess myself surprised by your
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10640	application; I did not expect it from _you_. Don’t think me angry,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10641	however, for I only mean to let you know that I had not imagined such
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10642	inquiries to be necessary on _your_ side. If you do not choose to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10643	understand me, forgive my impertinence. Your uncle is as much surprised
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10644	as I am--and nothing but the belief of your being a party concerned
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10645	would have allowed him to act as he has done. But if you are really
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10646	innocent and ignorant, I must be more explicit.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10647
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10648	“On the very day of my coming home from Longbourn, your uncle had a most
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10649	unexpected visitor. Mr. Darcy called, and was shut up with him several
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10650	hours. It was all over before I arrived; so my curiosity was not so
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10651	dreadfully racked as _yours_ seems to have been. He came to tell Mr.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10652	Gardiner that he had found out where your sister and Mr. Wickham were,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10653	and that he had seen and talked with them both; Wickham repeatedly,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10654	Lydia once. From what I can collect, he left Derbyshire only one day
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10655	after ourselves, and came to town with the resolution of hunting for
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10656	them. The motive professed was his conviction of its being owing to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10657	himself that Wickham’s worthlessness had not been so well known as to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10658	make it impossible for any young woman of character to love or confide
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10659	in him. He generously imputed the whole to his mistaken pride, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10660	confessed that he had before thought it beneath him to lay his private
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10661	actions open to the world. His character was to speak for itself. He
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10662	called it, therefore, his duty to step forward, and endeavour to remedy
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10663	an evil which had been brought on by himself. If he _had another_
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10664	motive, I am sure it would never disgrace him. He had been some days
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10665	in town, before he was able to discover them; but he had something to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10666	direct his search, which was more than _we_ had; and the consciousness
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10667	of this was another reason for his resolving to follow us.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10668
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10669	“There is a lady, it seems, a Mrs. Younge, who was some time ago
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10670	governess to Miss Darcy, and was dismissed from her charge on some cause
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10671	of disapprobation, though he did not say what. She then took a large
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10672	house in Edward-street, and has since maintained herself by letting
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10673	lodgings. This Mrs. Younge was, he knew, intimately acquainted with
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10674	Wickham; and he went to her for intelligence of him as soon as he got to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10675	town. But it was two or three days before he could get from her what he
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10676	wanted. She would not betray her trust, I suppose, without bribery and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10677	corruption, for she really did know where her friend was to be found.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10678	Wickham indeed had gone to her on their first arrival in London, and had
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10679	she been able to receive them into her house, they would have taken up
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10680	their abode with her. At length, however, our kind friend procured the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10681	wished-for direction. They were in ---- street. He saw Wickham, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10682	afterwards insisted on seeing Lydia. His first object with her, he
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10683	acknowledged, had been to persuade her to quit her present disgraceful
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10684	situation, and return to her friends as soon as they could be prevailed
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10685	on to receive her, offering his assistance, as far as it would go. But
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10686	he found Lydia absolutely resolved on remaining where she was. She cared
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10687	for none of her friends; she wanted no help of his; she would not hear
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10688	of leaving Wickham. She was sure they should be married some time or
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10689	other, and it did not much signify when. Since such were her feelings,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10690	it only remained, he thought, to secure and expedite a marriage, which,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10691	in his very first conversation with Wickham, he easily learnt had never
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10692	been _his_ design. He confessed himself obliged to leave the regiment,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10693	on account of some debts of honour, which were very pressing; and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10694	scrupled not to lay all the ill-consequences of Lydia’s flight on her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10695	own folly alone. He meant to resign his commission immediately; and as
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10696	to his future situation, he could conjecture very little about it. He
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10697	must go somewhere, but he did not know where, and he knew he should have
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10698	nothing to live on.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10699
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10700	“Mr. Darcy asked him why he had not married your sister at once. Though
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10701	Mr. Bennet was not imagined to be very rich, he would have been able
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10702	to do something for him, and his situation must have been benefited by
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10703	marriage. But he found, in reply to this question, that Wickham still
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10704	cherished the hope of more effectually making his fortune by marriage in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10705	some other country. Under such circumstances, however, he was not likely
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10706	to be proof against the temptation of immediate relief.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10707
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10708	“They met several times, for there was much to be discussed. Wickham of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10709	course wanted more than he could get; but at length was reduced to be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10710	reasonable.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10711
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10712	“Every thing being settled between _them_, Mr. Darcy’s next step was to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10713	make your uncle acquainted with it, and he first called in Gracechurch
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10714	street the evening before I came home. But Mr. Gardiner could not be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10715	seen, and Mr. Darcy found, on further inquiry, that your father was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10716	still with him, but would quit town the next morning. He did not judge
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10717	your father to be a person whom he could so properly consult as your
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10718	uncle, and therefore readily postponed seeing him till after the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10719	departure of the former. He did not leave his name, and till the next
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10720	day it was only known that a gentleman had called on business.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10721
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10722	“On Saturday he came again. Your father was gone, your uncle at home,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10723	and, as I said before, they had a great deal of talk together.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10724
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10725	“They met again on Sunday, and then _I_ saw him too. It was not all
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10726	settled before Monday: as soon as it was, the express was sent off to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10727	Longbourn. But our visitor was very obstinate. I fancy, Lizzy, that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10728	obstinacy is the real defect of his character, after all. He has been
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10729	accused of many faults at different times, but _this_ is the true one.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10730	Nothing was to be done that he did not do himself; though I am sure (and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10731	I do not speak it to be thanked, therefore say nothing about it), your
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10732	uncle would most readily have settled the whole.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10733
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10734	“They battled it together for a long time, which was more than either
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10735	the gentleman or lady concerned in it deserved. But at last your uncle
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10736	was forced to yield, and instead of being allowed to be of use to his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10737	niece, was forced to put up with only having the probable credit of it,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10738	which went sorely against the grain; and I really believe your letter
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10739	this morning gave him great pleasure, because it required an explanation
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10740	that would rob him of his borrowed feathers, and give the praise where
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10741	it was due. But, Lizzy, this must go no farther than yourself, or Jane
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10742	at most.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10743
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10744	“You know pretty well, I suppose, what has been done for the young
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10745	people. His debts are to be paid, amounting, I believe, to considerably
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10746	more than a thousand pounds, another thousand in addition to her own
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10747	settled upon _her_, and his commission purchased. The reason why all
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10748	this was to be done by him alone, was such as I have given above. It
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10749	was owing to him, to his reserve and want of proper consideration, that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10750	Wickham’s character had been so misunderstood, and consequently that he
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10751	had been received and noticed as he was. Perhaps there was some truth
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10752	in _this_; though I doubt whether _his_ reserve, or _anybody’s_ reserve,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10753	can be answerable for the event. But in spite of all this fine talking,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10754	my dear Lizzy, you may rest perfectly assured that your uncle would
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10755	never have yielded, if we had not given him credit for _another
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10756	interest_ in the affair.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10757
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10758	“When all this was resolved on, he returned again to his friends, who
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10759	were still staying at Pemberley; but it was agreed that he should be in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10760	London once more when the wedding took place, and all money matters were
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10761	then to receive the last finish.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10762
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10763	“I believe I have now told you every thing. It is a relation which
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10764	you tell me is to give you great surprise; I hope at least it will not
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10765	afford you any displeasure. Lydia came to us; and Wickham had constant
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10766	admission to the house. _He_ was exactly what he had been, when I
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10767	knew him in Hertfordshire; but I would not tell you how little I was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10768	satisfied with her behaviour while she staid with us, if I had not
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10769	perceived, by Jane’s letter last Wednesday, that her conduct on coming
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10770	home was exactly of a piece with it, and therefore what I now tell
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10771	you can give you no fresh pain. I talked to her repeatedly in the most
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10772	serious manner, representing to her all the wickedness of what she had
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10773	done, and all the unhappiness she had brought on her family. If she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10774	heard me, it was by good luck, for I am sure she did not listen. I was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10775	sometimes quite provoked, but then I recollected my dear Elizabeth and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10776	Jane, and for their sakes had patience with her.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10777
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10778	“Mr. Darcy was punctual in his return, and as Lydia informed you,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10779	attended the wedding. He dined with us the next day, and was to leave
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10780	town again on Wednesday or Thursday. Will you be very angry with me, my
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10781	dear Lizzy, if I take this opportunity of saying (what I was never bold
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10782	enough to say before) how much I like him. His behaviour to us has,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10783	in every respect, been as pleasing as when we were in Derbyshire. His
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10784	understanding and opinions all please me; he wants nothing but a little
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10785	more liveliness, and _that_, if he marry _prudently_, his wife may teach
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10786	him. I thought him very sly;--he hardly ever mentioned your name. But
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10787	slyness seems the fashion.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10788
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10789	“Pray forgive me if I have been very presuming, or at least do not
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10790	punish me so far as to exclude me from P. I shall never be quite happy
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10791	till I have been all round the park. A low phaeton, with a nice little
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10792	pair of ponies, would be the very thing.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10793
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10794	“But I must write no more. The children have been wanting me this half
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10795	hour.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10796
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10797	“Yours, very sincerely,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10798
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10799	“M. GARDINER.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10800
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10801	The contents of this letter threw Elizabeth into a flutter of spirits,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10802	in which it was difficult to determine whether pleasure or pain bore the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10803	greatest share. The vague and unsettled suspicions which uncertainty had
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10804	produced of what Mr. Darcy might have been doing to forward her sister’s
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10805	match, which she had feared to encourage as an exertion of goodness too
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10806	great to be probable, and at the same time dreaded to be just, from the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10807	pain of obligation, were proved beyond their greatest extent to be true!
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10808	He had followed them purposely to town, he had taken on himself all
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10809	the trouble and mortification attendant on such a research; in which
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10810	supplication had been necessary to a woman whom he must abominate and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10811	despise, and where he was reduced to meet, frequently meet, reason
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10812	with, persuade, and finally bribe, the man whom he always most wished to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10813	avoid, and whose very name it was punishment to him to pronounce. He had
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10814	done all this for a girl whom he could neither regard nor esteem. Her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10815	heart did whisper that he had done it for her. But it was a hope shortly
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10816	checked by other considerations, and she soon felt that even her vanity
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10817	was insufficient, when required to depend on his affection for her--for
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10818	a woman who had already refused him--as able to overcome a sentiment so
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10819	natural as abhorrence against relationship with Wickham. Brother-in-law
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10820	of Wickham! Every kind of pride must revolt from the connection. He had,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10821	to be sure, done much. She was ashamed to think how much. But he had
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10822	given a reason for his interference, which asked no extraordinary
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10823	stretch of belief. It was reasonable that he should feel he had been
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10824	wrong; he had liberality, and he had the means of exercising it; and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10825	though she would not place herself as his principal inducement, she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10826	could, perhaps, believe that remaining partiality for her might assist
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10827	his endeavours in a cause where her peace of mind must be materially
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10828	concerned. It was painful, exceedingly painful, to know that they were
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10829	under obligations to a person who could never receive a return. They
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10830	owed the restoration of Lydia, her character, every thing, to him. Oh!
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10831	how heartily did she grieve over every ungracious sensation she had ever
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10832	encouraged, every saucy speech she had ever directed towards him. For
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10833	herself she was humbled; but she was proud of him. Proud that in a cause
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10834	of compassion and honour, he had been able to get the better of himself.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10835	She read over her aunt’s commendation of him again and again. It
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10836	was hardly enough; but it pleased her. She was even sensible of some
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10837	pleasure, though mixed with regret, on finding how steadfastly both she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10838	and her uncle had been persuaded that affection and confidence subsisted
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10839	between Mr. Darcy and herself.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10840
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10841	She was roused from her seat, and her reflections, by some one’s
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10842	approach; and before she could strike into another path, she was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10843	overtaken by Wickham.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10844
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10845	“I am afraid I interrupt your solitary ramble, my dear sister?” said he,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10846	as he joined her.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10847
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10848	“You certainly do,” she replied with a smile; “but it does not follow
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10849	that the interruption must be unwelcome.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10850
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10851	“I should be sorry indeed, if it were. We were always good friends; and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10852	now we are better.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10853
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10854	“True. Are the others coming out?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10855
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10856	“I do not know. Mrs. Bennet and Lydia are going in the carriage to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10857	Meryton. And so, my dear sister, I find, from our uncle and aunt, that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10858	you have actually seen Pemberley.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10859
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10860	She replied in the affirmative.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10861
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10862	“I almost envy you the pleasure, and yet I believe it would be too much
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10863	for me, or else I could take it in my way to Newcastle. And you saw the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10864	old housekeeper, I suppose? Poor Reynolds, she was always very fond of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10865	me. But of course she did not mention my name to you.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10866
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10867	“Yes, she did.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10868
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10869	“And what did she say?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10870
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10871	“That you were gone into the army, and she was afraid had--not turned
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10872	out well. At such a distance as _that_, you know, things are strangely
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10873	misrepresented.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10874
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10875	“Certainly,” he replied, biting his lips. Elizabeth hoped she had
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10876	silenced him; but he soon afterwards said:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10877
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10878	“I was surprised to see Darcy in town last month. We passed each other
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10879	several times. I wonder what he can be doing there.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10880
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10881	“Perhaps preparing for his marriage with Miss de Bourgh,” said
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10882	Elizabeth. “It must be something particular, to take him there at this
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10883	time of year.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10884
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10885	“Undoubtedly. Did you see him while you were at Lambton? I thought I
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10886	understood from the Gardiners that you had.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10887
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10888	“Yes; he introduced us to his sister.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10889
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10890	“And do you like her?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10891
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10892	“Very much.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10893
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10894	“I have heard, indeed, that she is uncommonly improved within this year
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10895	or two. When I last saw her, she was not very promising. I am very glad
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10896	you liked her. I hope she will turn out well.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10897
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10898	“I dare say she will; she has got over the most trying age.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10899
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10900	“Did you go by the village of Kympton?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10901
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10902	“I do not recollect that we did.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10903
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10904	“I mention it, because it is the living which I ought to have had. A
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10905	most delightful place!--Excellent Parsonage House! It would have suited
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10906	me in every respect.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10907
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10908	“How should you have liked making sermons?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10909
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10910	“Exceedingly well. I should have considered it as part of my duty,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10911	and the exertion would soon have been nothing. One ought not to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10912	repine;--but, to be sure, it would have been such a thing for me! The
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10913	quiet, the retirement of such a life would have answered all my ideas
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10914	of happiness! But it was not to be. Did you ever hear Darcy mention the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10915	circumstance, when you were in Kent?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10916
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10917	“I have heard from authority, which I thought _as good_, that it was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10918	left you conditionally only, and at the will of the present patron.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10919
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10920	“You have. Yes, there was something in _that_; I told you so from the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10921	first, you may remember.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10922
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10923	“I _did_ hear, too, that there was a time, when sermon-making was not
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10924	so palatable to you as it seems to be at present; that you actually
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10925	declared your resolution of never taking orders, and that the business
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10926	had been compromised accordingly.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10927
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10928	“You did! and it was not wholly without foundation. You may remember
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10929	what I told you on that point, when first we talked of it.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10930
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10931	They were now almost at the door of the house, for she had walked fast
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10932	to get rid of him; and unwilling, for her sister’s sake, to provoke him,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10933	she only said in reply, with a good-humoured smile:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10934
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10935	“Come, Mr. Wickham, we are brother and sister, you know. Do not let
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10936	us quarrel about the past. In future, I hope we shall be always of one
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10937	mind.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10938
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10939	She held out her hand; he kissed it with affectionate gallantry, though
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10940	he hardly knew how to look, and they entered the house.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10941
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10942
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10943
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10944	Chapter 53
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10945
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10946
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10947	Mr. Wickham was so perfectly satisfied with this conversation that he
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10948	never again distressed himself, or provoked his dear sister Elizabeth,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10949	by introducing the subject of it; and she was pleased to find that she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10950	had said enough to keep him quiet.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10951
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10952	The day of his and Lydia’s departure soon came, and Mrs. Bennet was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10953	forced to submit to a separation, which, as her husband by no means
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10954	entered into her scheme of their all going to Newcastle, was likely to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10955	continue at least a twelvemonth.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10956
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10957	“Oh! my dear Lydia,” she cried, “when shall we meet again?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10958
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10959	“Oh, lord! I don’t know. Not these two or three years, perhaps.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10960
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10961	“Write to me very often, my dear.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10962
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10963	“As often as I can. But you know married women have never much time for
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10964	writing. My sisters may write to _me_. They will have nothing else to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10965	do.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10966
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10967	Mr. Wickham’s adieus were much more affectionate than his wife’s. He
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10968	smiled, looked handsome, and said many pretty things.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10969
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10970	“He is as fine a fellow,” said Mr. Bennet, as soon as they were out of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10971	the house, “as ever I saw. He simpers, and smirks, and makes love to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10972	us all. I am prodigiously proud of him. I defy even Sir William Lucas
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10973	himself to produce a more valuable son-in-law.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10974
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10975	The loss of her daughter made Mrs. Bennet very dull for several days.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10976
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10977	“I often think,” said she, “that there is nothing so bad as parting with
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10978	one’s friends. One seems so forlorn without them.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10979
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10980	“This is the consequence, you see, Madam, of marrying a daughter,” said
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10981	Elizabeth. “It must make you better satisfied that your other four are
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10982	single.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10983
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10984	“It is no such thing. Lydia does not leave me because she is married,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10985	but only because her husband’s regiment happens to be so far off. If
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10986	that had been nearer, she would not have gone so soon.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10987
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10988	But the spiritless condition which this event threw her into was shortly
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10989	relieved, and her mind opened again to the agitation of hope, by an
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10990	article of news which then began to be in circulation. The housekeeper
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10991	at Netherfield had received orders to prepare for the arrival of her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10992	master, who was coming down in a day or two, to shoot there for several
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10993	weeks. Mrs. Bennet was quite in the fidgets. She looked at Jane, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10994	smiled and shook her head by turns.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10995
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10996	“Well, well, and so Mr. Bingley is coming down, sister,” (for Mrs.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10997	Phillips first brought her the news). “Well, so much the better. Not
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10998	that I care about it, though. He is nothing to us, you know, and I am
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	10999	sure _I_ never want to see him again. But, however, he is very welcome
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11000	to come to Netherfield, if he likes it. And who knows what _may_ happen?
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11001	But that is nothing to us. You know, sister, we agreed long ago never to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11002	mention a word about it. And so, is it quite certain he is coming?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11003
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11004	“You may depend on it,” replied the other, “for Mrs. Nicholls was in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11005	Meryton last night; I saw her passing by, and went out myself on purpose
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11006	to know the truth of it; and she told me that it was certain true. He
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11007	comes down on Thursday at the latest, very likely on Wednesday. She was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11008	going to the butcher’s, she told me, on purpose to order in some meat on
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11009	Wednesday, and she has got three couple of ducks just fit to be killed.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11010
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11011	Miss Bennet had not been able to hear of his coming without changing
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11012	colour. It was many months since she had mentioned his name to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11013	Elizabeth; but now, as soon as they were alone together, she said:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11014
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11015	“I saw you look at me to-day, Lizzy, when my aunt told us of the present
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11016	report; and I know I appeared distressed. But don’t imagine it was from
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11017	any silly cause. I was only confused for the moment, because I felt that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11018	I _should_ be looked at. I do assure you that the news does not affect
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11019	me either with pleasure or pain. I am glad of one thing, that he comes
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11020	alone; because we shall see the less of him. Not that I am afraid of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11021	_myself_, but I dread other people’s remarks.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11022
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11023	Elizabeth did not know what to make of it. Had she not seen him in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11024	Derbyshire, she might have supposed him capable of coming there with no
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11025	other view than what was acknowledged; but she still thought him partial
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11026	to Jane, and she wavered as to the greater probability of his coming
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11027	there _with_ his friend’s permission, or being bold enough to come
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11028	without it.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11029
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11030	“Yet it is hard,” she sometimes thought, “that this poor man cannot
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11031	come to a house which he has legally hired, without raising all this
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11032	speculation! I _will_ leave him to himself.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11033
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11034	In spite of what her sister declared, and really believed to be her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11035	feelings in the expectation of his arrival, Elizabeth could easily
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11036	perceive that her spirits were affected by it. They were more disturbed,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11037	more unequal, than she had often seen them.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11038
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11039	The subject which had been so warmly canvassed between their parents,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11040	about a twelvemonth ago, was now brought forward again.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11041
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11042	“As soon as ever Mr. Bingley comes, my dear,” said Mrs. Bennet, “you
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11043	will wait on him of course.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11044
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11045	“No, no. You forced me into visiting him last year, and promised, if I
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11046	went to see him, he should marry one of my daughters. But it ended in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11047	nothing, and I will not be sent on a fool’s errand again.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11048
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11049	His wife represented to him how absolutely necessary such an attention
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11050	would be from all the neighbouring gentlemen, on his returning to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11051	Netherfield.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11052
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11053	“‘Tis an etiquette I despise,” said he. “If he wants our society,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11054	let him seek it. He knows where we live. I will not spend my hours
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11055	in running after my neighbours every time they go away and come back
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11056	again.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11057
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11058	“Well, all I know is, that it will be abominably rude if you do not wait
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11059	on him. But, however, that shan’t prevent my asking him to dine here, I
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11060	am determined. We must have Mrs. Long and the Gouldings soon. That will
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11061	make thirteen with ourselves, so there will be just room at table for
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11062	him.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11063
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11064	Consoled by this resolution, she was the better able to bear her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11065	husband’s incivility; though it was very mortifying to know that her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11066	neighbours might all see Mr. Bingley, in consequence of it, before
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11067	_they_ did. As the day of his arrival drew near,--
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11068
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11069	“I begin to be sorry that he comes at all,” said Jane to her sister. “It
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11070	would be nothing; I could see him with perfect indifference, but I can
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11071	hardly bear to hear it thus perpetually talked of. My mother means well;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11072	but she does not know, no one can know, how much I suffer from what she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11073	says. Happy shall I be, when his stay at Netherfield is over!”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11074
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11075	“I wish I could say anything to comfort you,” replied Elizabeth; “but it
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11076	is wholly out of my power. You must feel it; and the usual satisfaction
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11077	of preaching patience to a sufferer is denied me, because you have
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11078	always so much.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11079
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11080	Mr. Bingley arrived. Mrs. Bennet, through the assistance of servants,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11081	contrived to have the earliest tidings of it, that the period of anxiety
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11082	and fretfulness on her side might be as long as it could. She counted
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11083	the days that must intervene before their invitation could be sent;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11084	hopeless of seeing him before. But on the third morning after his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11085	arrival in Hertfordshire, she saw him, from her dressing-room window,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11086	enter the paddock and ride towards the house.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11087
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11088	Her daughters were eagerly called to partake of her joy. Jane resolutely
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11089	kept her place at the table; but Elizabeth, to satisfy her mother, went
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11090	to the window--she looked,--she saw Mr. Darcy with him, and sat down
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11091	again by her sister.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11092
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11093	“There is a gentleman with him, mamma,” said Kitty; “who can it be?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11094
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11095	“Some acquaintance or other, my dear, I suppose; I am sure I do not
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11096	know.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11097
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11098	“La!” replied Kitty, “it looks just like that man that used to be with
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11099	him before. Mr. what’s-his-name. That tall, proud man.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11100
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11101	“Good gracious! Mr. Darcy!--and so it does, I vow. Well, any friend of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11102	Mr. Bingley’s will always be welcome here, to be sure; but else I must
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11103	say that I hate the very sight of him.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11104
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11105	Jane looked at Elizabeth with surprise and concern. She knew but little
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11106	of their meeting in Derbyshire, and therefore felt for the awkwardness
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11107	which must attend her sister, in seeing him almost for the first time
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11108	after receiving his explanatory letter. Both sisters were uncomfortable
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11109	enough. Each felt for the other, and of course for themselves; and their
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11110	mother talked on, of her dislike of Mr. Darcy, and her resolution to be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11111	civil to him only as Mr. Bingley’s friend, without being heard by either
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11112	of them. But Elizabeth had sources of uneasiness which could not be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11113	suspected by Jane, to whom she had never yet had courage to shew Mrs.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11114	Gardiner’s letter, or to relate her own change of sentiment towards him.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11115	To Jane, he could be only a man whose proposals she had refused,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11116	and whose merit she had undervalued; but to her own more extensive
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11117	information, he was the person to whom the whole family were indebted
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11118	for the first of benefits, and whom she regarded herself with an
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11119	interest, if not quite so tender, at least as reasonable and just as
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11120	what Jane felt for Bingley. Her astonishment at his coming--at his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11121	coming to Netherfield, to Longbourn, and voluntarily seeking her again,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11122	was almost equal to what she had known on first witnessing his altered
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11123	behaviour in Derbyshire.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11124
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11125	The colour which had been driven from her face, returned for half a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11126	minute with an additional glow, and a smile of delight added lustre to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11127	her eyes, as she thought for that space of time that his affection and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11128	wishes must still be unshaken. But she would not be secure.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11129
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11130	“Let me first see how he behaves,” said she; “it will then be early
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11131	enough for expectation.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11132
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11133	She sat intently at work, striving to be composed, and without daring to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11134	lift up her eyes, till anxious curiosity carried them to the face of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11135	her sister as the servant was approaching the door. Jane looked a little
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11136	paler than usual, but more sedate than Elizabeth had expected. On the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11137	gentlemen’s appearing, her colour increased; yet she received them with
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11138	tolerable ease, and with a propriety of behaviour equally free from any
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11139	symptom of resentment or any unnecessary complaisance.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11140
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11141	Elizabeth said as little to either as civility would allow, and sat down
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11142	again to her work, with an eagerness which it did not often command. She
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11143	had ventured only one glance at Darcy. He looked serious, as usual; and,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11144	she thought, more as he had been used to look in Hertfordshire, than as
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11145	she had seen him at Pemberley. But, perhaps he could not in her mother’s
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11146	presence be what he was before her uncle and aunt. It was a painful, but
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11147	not an improbable, conjecture.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11148
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11149	Bingley, she had likewise seen for an instant, and in that short period
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11150	saw him looking both pleased and embarrassed. He was received by Mrs.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11151	Bennet with a degree of civility which made her two daughters ashamed,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11152	especially when contrasted with the cold and ceremonious politeness of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11153	her curtsey and address to his friend.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11154
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11155	Elizabeth, particularly, who knew that her mother owed to the latter
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11156	the preservation of her favourite daughter from irremediable infamy,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11157	was hurt and distressed to a most painful degree by a distinction so ill
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11158	applied.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11159
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11160	Darcy, after inquiring of her how Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner did, a question
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11161	which she could not answer without confusion, said scarcely anything. He
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11162	was not seated by her; perhaps that was the reason of his silence; but
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11163	it had not been so in Derbyshire. There he had talked to her friends,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11164	when he could not to herself. But now several minutes elapsed without
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11165	bringing the sound of his voice; and when occasionally, unable to resist
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11166	the impulse of curiosity, she raised her eyes to his face, she as often
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11167	found him looking at Jane as at herself, and frequently on no object but
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11168	the ground. More thoughtfulness and less anxiety to please, than when
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11169	they last met, were plainly expressed. She was disappointed, and angry
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11170	with herself for being so.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11171
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11172	“Could I expect it to be otherwise!” said she. “Yet why did he come?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11173
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11174	She was in no humour for conversation with anyone but himself; and to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11175	him she had hardly courage to speak.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11176
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11177	She inquired after his sister, but could do no more.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11178
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11179	“It is a long time, Mr. Bingley, since you went away,” said Mrs. Bennet.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11180
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11181	He readily agreed to it.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11182
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11183	“I began to be afraid you would never come back again. People _did_ say
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11184	you meant to quit the place entirely at Michaelmas; but, however, I hope
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11185	it is not true. A great many changes have happened in the neighbourhood,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11186	since you went away. Miss Lucas is married and settled. And one of my
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11187	own daughters. I suppose you have heard of it; indeed, you must have
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11188	seen it in the papers. It was in The Times and The Courier, I know;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11189	though it was not put in as it ought to be. It was only said, ‘Lately,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11190	George Wickham, Esq. to Miss Lydia Bennet,’ without there being a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11191	syllable said of her father, or the place where she lived, or anything.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11192	It was my brother Gardiner’s drawing up too, and I wonder how he came to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11193	make such an awkward business of it. Did you see it?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11194
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11195	Bingley replied that he did, and made his congratulations. Elizabeth
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11196	dared not lift up her eyes. How Mr. Darcy looked, therefore, she could
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11197	not tell.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11198
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11199	“It is a delightful thing, to be sure, to have a daughter well married,”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11200	continued her mother, “but at the same time, Mr. Bingley, it is very
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11201	hard to have her taken such a way from me. They are gone down to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11202	Newcastle, a place quite northward, it seems, and there they are to stay
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11203	I do not know how long. His regiment is there; for I suppose you have
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11204	heard of his leaving the ----shire, and of his being gone into the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11205	regulars. Thank Heaven! he has _some_ friends, though perhaps not so
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11206	many as he deserves.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11207
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11208	Elizabeth, who knew this to be levelled at Mr. Darcy, was in such
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11209	misery of shame, that she could hardly keep her seat. It drew from her,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11210	however, the exertion of speaking, which nothing else had so effectually
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11211	done before; and she asked Bingley whether he meant to make any stay in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11212	the country at present. A few weeks, he believed.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11213
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11214	“When you have killed all your own birds, Mr. Bingley,” said her mother,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11215	“I beg you will come here, and shoot as many as you please on Mr.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11216	Bennet’s manor. I am sure he will be vastly happy to oblige you, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11217	will save all the best of the covies for you.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11218
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11219	Elizabeth’s misery increased, at such unnecessary, such officious
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11220	attention! Were the same fair prospect to arise at present as had
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11221	flattered them a year ago, every thing, she was persuaded, would be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11222	hastening to the same vexatious conclusion. At that instant, she felt
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11223	that years of happiness could not make Jane or herself amends for
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11224	moments of such painful confusion.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11225
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11226	“The first wish of my heart,” said she to herself, “is never more to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11227	be in company with either of them. Their society can afford no pleasure
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11228	that will atone for such wretchedness as this! Let me never see either
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11229	one or the other again!”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11230
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11231	Yet the misery, for which years of happiness were to offer no
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11232	compensation, received soon afterwards material relief, from observing
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11233	how much the beauty of her sister re-kindled the admiration of her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11234	former lover. When first he came in, he had spoken to her but little;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11235	but every five minutes seemed to be giving her more of his attention. He
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11236	found her as handsome as she had been last year; as good natured, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11237	as unaffected, though not quite so chatty. Jane was anxious that no
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11238	difference should be perceived in her at all, and was really persuaded
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11239	that she talked as much as ever. But her mind was so busily engaged,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11240	that she did not always know when she was silent.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11241
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11242	When the gentlemen rose to go away, Mrs. Bennet was mindful of her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11243	intended civility, and they were invited and engaged to dine at
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11244	Longbourn in a few days time.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11245
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11246	“You are quite a visit in my debt, Mr. Bingley,” she added, “for when
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11247	you went to town last winter, you promised to take a family dinner with
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11248	us, as soon as you returned. I have not forgot, you see; and I assure
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11249	you, I was very much disappointed that you did not come back and keep
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11250	your engagement.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11251
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11252	Bingley looked a little silly at this reflection, and said something of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11253	his concern at having been prevented by business. They then went away.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11254
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11255	Mrs. Bennet had been strongly inclined to ask them to stay and dine
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11256	there that day; but, though she always kept a very good table, she did
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11257	not think anything less than two courses could be good enough for a man
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11258	on whom she had such anxious designs, or satisfy the appetite and pride
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11259	of one who had ten thousand a year.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11260
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11261
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11262
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11263	Chapter 54
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11264
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11265
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11266	As soon as they were gone, Elizabeth walked out to recover her spirits;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11267	or in other words, to dwell without interruption on those subjects that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11268	must deaden them more. Mr. Darcy’s behaviour astonished and vexed her.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11269
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11270	“Why, if he came only to be silent, grave, and indifferent,” said she,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11271	“did he come at all?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11272
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11273	She could settle it in no way that gave her pleasure.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11274
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11275	“He could be still amiable, still pleasing, to my uncle and aunt, when
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11276	he was in town; and why not to me? If he fears me, why come hither? If
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11277	he no longer cares for me, why silent? Teasing, teasing, man! I will
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11278	think no more about him.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11279
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11280	Her resolution was for a short time involuntarily kept by the approach
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11281	of her sister, who joined her with a cheerful look, which showed her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11282	better satisfied with their visitors, than Elizabeth.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11283
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11284	“Now,” said she, “that this first meeting is over, I feel perfectly
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11285	easy. I know my own strength, and I shall never be embarrassed again by
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11286	his coming. I am glad he dines here on Tuesday. It will then be publicly
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11287	seen that, on both sides, we meet only as common and indifferent
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11288	acquaintance.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11289
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11290	“Yes, very indifferent indeed,” said Elizabeth, laughingly. “Oh, Jane,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11291	take care.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11292
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11293	“My dear Lizzy, you cannot think me so weak, as to be in danger now?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11294
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11295	“I think you are in very great danger of making him as much in love with
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11296	you as ever.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11297
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11298	* * * * *
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11299
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11300	They did not see the gentlemen again till Tuesday; and Mrs. Bennet, in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11301	the meanwhile, was giving way to all the happy schemes, which the good
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11302	humour and common politeness of Bingley, in half an hour’s visit, had
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11303	revived.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11304
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11305	On Tuesday there was a large party assembled at Longbourn; and the two
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11306	who were most anxiously expected, to the credit of their punctuality
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11307	as sportsmen, were in very good time. When they repaired to the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11308	dining-room, Elizabeth eagerly watched to see whether Bingley would take
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11309	the place, which, in all their former parties, had belonged to him, by
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11310	her sister. Her prudent mother, occupied by the same ideas, forbore
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11311	to invite him to sit by herself. On entering the room, he seemed to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11312	hesitate; but Jane happened to look round, and happened to smile: it was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11313	decided. He placed himself by her.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11314
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11315	Elizabeth, with a triumphant sensation, looked towards his friend.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11316	He bore it with noble indifference, and she would have imagined that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11317	Bingley had received his sanction to be happy, had she not seen his eyes
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11318	likewise turned towards Mr. Darcy, with an expression of half-laughing
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11319	alarm.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11320
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11321	His behaviour to her sister was such, during dinner time, as showed an
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11322	admiration of her, which, though more guarded than formerly, persuaded
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11323	Elizabeth, that if left wholly to himself, Jane’s happiness, and his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11324	own, would be speedily secured. Though she dared not depend upon the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11325	consequence, she yet received pleasure from observing his behaviour. It
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11326	gave her all the animation that her spirits could boast; for she was in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11327	no cheerful humour. Mr. Darcy was almost as far from her as the table
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11328	could divide them. He was on one side of her mother. She knew how little
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11329	such a situation would give pleasure to either, or make either appear to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11330	advantage. She was not near enough to hear any of their discourse, but
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11331	she could see how seldom they spoke to each other, and how formal and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11332	cold was their manner whenever they did. Her mother’s ungraciousness,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11333	made the sense of what they owed him more painful to Elizabeth’s mind;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11334	and she would, at times, have given anything to be privileged to tell
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11335	him that his kindness was neither unknown nor unfelt by the whole of the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11336	family.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11337
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11338	She was in hopes that the evening would afford some opportunity of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11339	bringing them together; that the whole of the visit would not pass away
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11340	without enabling them to enter into something more of conversation than
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11341	the mere ceremonious salutation attending his entrance. Anxious
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11342	and uneasy, the period which passed in the drawing-room, before the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11343	gentlemen came, was wearisome and dull to a degree that almost made her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11344	uncivil. She looked forward to their entrance as the point on which all
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11345	her chance of pleasure for the evening must depend.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11346
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11347	“If he does not come to me, _then_,” said she, “I shall give him up for
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11348	ever.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11349
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11350	The gentlemen came; and she thought he looked as if he would have
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11351	answered her hopes; but, alas! the ladies had crowded round the table,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11352	where Miss Bennet was making tea, and Elizabeth pouring out the coffee,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11353	in so close a confederacy that there was not a single vacancy near her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11354	which would admit of a chair. And on the gentlemen’s approaching, one of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11355	the girls moved closer to her than ever, and said, in a whisper:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11356
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11357	“The men shan’t come and part us, I am determined. We want none of them;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11358	do we?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11359
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11360	Darcy had walked away to another part of the room. She followed him with
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11361	her eyes, envied everyone to whom he spoke, had scarcely patience enough
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11362	to help anybody to coffee; and then was enraged against herself for
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11363	being so silly!
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11364
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11365	“A man who has once been refused! How could I ever be foolish enough to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11366	expect a renewal of his love? Is there one among the sex, who would not
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11367	protest against such a weakness as a second proposal to the same woman?
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11368	There is no indignity so abhorrent to their feelings!”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11369
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11370	She was a little revived, however, by his bringing back his coffee cup
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11371	himself; and she seized the opportunity of saying:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11372
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11373	“Is your sister at Pemberley still?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11374
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11375	“Yes, she will remain there till Christmas.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11376
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11377	“And quite alone? Have all her friends left her?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11378
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11379	“Mrs. Annesley is with her. The others have been gone on to Scarborough,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11380	these three weeks.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11381
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11382	She could think of nothing more to say; but if he wished to converse
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11383	with her, he might have better success. He stood by her, however, for
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11384	some minutes, in silence; and, at last, on the young lady’s whispering
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11385	to Elizabeth again, he walked away.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11386
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11387	When the tea-things were removed, and the card-tables placed, the ladies
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11388	all rose, and Elizabeth was then hoping to be soon joined by him,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11389	when all her views were overthrown by seeing him fall a victim to her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11390	mother’s rapacity for whist players, and in a few moments after seated
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11391	with the rest of the party. She now lost every expectation of pleasure.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11392	They were confined for the evening at different tables, and she had
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11393	nothing to hope, but that his eyes were so often turned towards her side
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11394	of the room, as to make him play as unsuccessfully as herself.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11395
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11396	Mrs. Bennet had designed to keep the two Netherfield gentlemen to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11397	supper; but their carriage was unluckily ordered before any of the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11398	others, and she had no opportunity of detaining them.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11399
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11400	“Well girls,” said she, as soon as they were left to themselves, “What
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11401	say you to the day? I think every thing has passed off uncommonly well,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11402	I assure you. The dinner was as well dressed as any I ever saw. The
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11403	venison was roasted to a turn--and everybody said they never saw so
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11404	fat a haunch. The soup was fifty times better than what we had at the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11405	Lucases’ last week; and even Mr. Darcy acknowledged, that the partridges
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11406	were remarkably well done; and I suppose he has two or three French
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11407	cooks at least. And, my dear Jane, I never saw you look in greater
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11408	beauty. Mrs. Long said so too, for I asked her whether you did not. And
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11409	what do you think she said besides? ‘Ah! Mrs. Bennet, we shall have her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11410	at Netherfield at last.’ She did indeed. I do think Mrs. Long is as good
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11411	a creature as ever lived--and her nieces are very pretty behaved girls,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11412	and not at all handsome: I like them prodigiously.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11413
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11414	Mrs. Bennet, in short, was in very great spirits; she had seen enough of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11415	Bingley’s behaviour to Jane, to be convinced that she would get him at
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11416	last; and her expectations of advantage to her family, when in a happy
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11417	humour, were so far beyond reason, that she was quite disappointed at
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11418	not seeing him there again the next day, to make his proposals.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11419
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11420	“It has been a very agreeable day,” said Miss Bennet to Elizabeth. “The
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11421	party seemed so well selected, so suitable one with the other. I hope we
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11422	may often meet again.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11423
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11424	Elizabeth smiled.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11425
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11426	“Lizzy, you must not do so. You must not suspect me. It mortifies me.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11427	I assure you that I have now learnt to enjoy his conversation as an
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11428	agreeable and sensible young man, without having a wish beyond it. I am
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11429	perfectly satisfied, from what his manners now are, that he never had
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11430	any design of engaging my affection. It is only that he is blessed
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11431	with greater sweetness of address, and a stronger desire of generally
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11432	pleasing, than any other man.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11433
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11434	“You are very cruel,” said her sister, “you will not let me smile, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11435	are provoking me to it every moment.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11436
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11437	“How hard it is in some cases to be believed!”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11438
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11439	“And how impossible in others!”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11440
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11441	“But why should you wish to persuade me that I feel more than I
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11442	acknowledge?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11443
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11444	“That is a question which I hardly know how to answer. We all love to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11445	instruct, though we can teach only what is not worth knowing. Forgive
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11446	me; and if you persist in indifference, do not make me your confidante.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11447
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11448
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11449
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11450	Chapter 55
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11451
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11452
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11453	A few days after this visit, Mr. Bingley called again, and alone. His
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11454	friend had left him that morning for London, but was to return home in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11455	ten days time. He sat with them above an hour, and was in remarkably
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11456	good spirits. Mrs. Bennet invited him to dine with them; but, with many
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11457	expressions of concern, he confessed himself engaged elsewhere.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11458
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11459	“Next time you call,” said she, “I hope we shall be more lucky.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11460
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11461	He should be particularly happy at any time, etc. etc.; and if she would
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11462	give him leave, would take an early opportunity of waiting on them.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11463
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11464	“Can you come to-morrow?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11465
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11466	Yes, he had no engagement at all for to-morrow; and her invitation was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11467	accepted with alacrity.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11468
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11469	He came, and in such very good time that the ladies were none of them
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11470	dressed. In ran Mrs. Bennet to her daughter’s room, in her dressing
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11471	gown, and with her hair half finished, crying out:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11472
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11473	“My dear Jane, make haste and hurry down. He is come--Mr. Bingley is
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11474	come. He is, indeed. Make haste, make haste. Here, Sarah, come to Miss
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11475	Bennet this moment, and help her on with her gown. Never mind Miss
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11476	Lizzy’s hair.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11477
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11478	“We will be down as soon as we can,” said Jane; “but I dare say Kitty is
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11479	forwarder than either of us, for she went up stairs half an hour ago.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11480
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11481	“Oh! hang Kitty! what has she to do with it? Come be quick, be quick!
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11482	Where is your sash, my dear?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11483
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11484	But when her mother was gone, Jane would not be prevailed on to go down
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11485	without one of her sisters.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11486
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11487	The same anxiety to get them by themselves was visible again in the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11488	evening. After tea, Mr. Bennet retired to the library, as was his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11489	custom, and Mary went up stairs to her instrument. Two obstacles of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11490	the five being thus removed, Mrs. Bennet sat looking and winking at
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11491	Elizabeth and Catherine for a considerable time, without making any
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11492	impression on them. Elizabeth would not observe her; and when at last
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11493	Kitty did, she very innocently said, “What is the matter mamma? What do
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11494	you keep winking at me for? What am I to do?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11495
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11496	“Nothing child, nothing. I did not wink at you.” She then sat still
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11497	five minutes longer; but unable to waste such a precious occasion, she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11498	suddenly got up, and saying to Kitty, “Come here, my love, I want to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11499	speak to you,” took her out of the room. Jane instantly gave a look
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11500	at Elizabeth which spoke her distress at such premeditation, and her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11501	entreaty that _she_ would not give in to it. In a few minutes, Mrs.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11502	Bennet half-opened the door and called out:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11503
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11504	“Lizzy, my dear, I want to speak with you.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11505
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11506	Elizabeth was forced to go.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11507
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11508	“We may as well leave them by themselves you know;” said her mother, as
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11509	soon as she was in the hall. “Kitty and I are going up stairs to sit in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11510	my dressing-room.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11511
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11512	Elizabeth made no attempt to reason with her mother, but remained
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11513	quietly in the hall, till she and Kitty were out of sight, then returned
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11514	into the drawing-room.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11515
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11516	Mrs. Bennet’s schemes for this day were ineffectual. Bingley was every
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11517	thing that was charming, except the professed lover of her daughter. His
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11518	ease and cheerfulness rendered him a most agreeable addition to their
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11519	evening party; and he bore with the ill-judged officiousness of the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11520	mother, and heard all her silly remarks with a forbearance and command
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11521	of countenance particularly grateful to the daughter.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11522
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11523	He scarcely needed an invitation to stay supper; and before he went
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11524	away, an engagement was formed, chiefly through his own and Mrs.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11525	Bennet’s means, for his coming next morning to shoot with her husband.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11526
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11527	After this day, Jane said no more of her indifference. Not a word passed
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11528	between the sisters concerning Bingley; but Elizabeth went to bed in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11529	the happy belief that all must speedily be concluded, unless Mr. Darcy
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11530	returned within the stated time. Seriously, however, she felt tolerably
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11531	persuaded that all this must have taken place with that gentleman’s
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11532	concurrence.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11533
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11534	Bingley was punctual to his appointment; and he and Mr. Bennet spent
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11535	the morning together, as had been agreed on. The latter was much more
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11536	agreeable than his companion expected. There was nothing of presumption
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11537	or folly in Bingley that could provoke his ridicule, or disgust him into
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11538	silence; and he was more communicative, and less eccentric, than the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11539	other had ever seen him. Bingley of course returned with him to dinner;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11540	and in the evening Mrs. Bennet’s invention was again at work to get
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11541	every body away from him and her daughter. Elizabeth, who had a letter
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11542	to write, went into the breakfast room for that purpose soon after tea;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11543	for as the others were all going to sit down to cards, she could not be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11544	wanted to counteract her mother’s schemes.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11545
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11546	But on returning to the drawing-room, when her letter was finished, she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11547	saw, to her infinite surprise, there was reason to fear that her mother
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11548	had been too ingenious for her. On opening the door, she perceived her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11549	sister and Bingley standing together over the hearth, as if engaged in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11550	earnest conversation; and had this led to no suspicion, the faces of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11551	both, as they hastily turned round and moved away from each other, would
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11552	have told it all. Their situation was awkward enough; but _hers_ she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11553	thought was still worse. Not a syllable was uttered by either; and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11554	Elizabeth was on the point of going away again, when Bingley, who as
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11555	well as the other had sat down, suddenly rose, and whispering a few
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11556	words to her sister, ran out of the room.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11557
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11558	Jane could have no reserves from Elizabeth, where confidence would give
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11559	pleasure; and instantly embracing her, acknowledged, with the liveliest
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11560	emotion, that she was the happiest creature in the world.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11561
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11562	“‘Tis too much!” she added, “by far too much. I do not deserve it. Oh!
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11563	why is not everybody as happy?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11564
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11565	Elizabeth’s congratulations were given with a sincerity, a warmth,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11566	a delight, which words could but poorly express. Every sentence of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11567	kindness was a fresh source of happiness to Jane. But she would not
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11568	allow herself to stay with her sister, or say half that remained to be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11569	said for the present.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11570
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11571	“I must go instantly to my mother;” she cried. “I would not on any
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11572	account trifle with her affectionate solicitude; or allow her to hear it
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11573	from anyone but myself. He is gone to my father already. Oh! Lizzy, to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11574	know that what I have to relate will give such pleasure to all my dear
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11575	family! how shall I bear so much happiness!”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11576
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11577	She then hastened away to her mother, who had purposely broken up the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11578	card party, and was sitting up stairs with Kitty.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11579
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11580	Elizabeth, who was left by herself, now smiled at the rapidity and ease
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11581	with which an affair was finally settled, that had given them so many
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11582	previous months of suspense and vexation.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11583
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11584	“And this,” said she, “is the end of all his friend’s anxious
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11585	circumspection! of all his sister’s falsehood and contrivance! the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11586	happiest, wisest, most reasonable end!”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11587
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11588	In a few minutes she was joined by Bingley, whose conference with her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11589	father had been short and to the purpose.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11590
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11591	“Where is your sister?” said he hastily, as he opened the door.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11592
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11593	“With my mother up stairs. She will be down in a moment, I dare say.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11594
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11595	He then shut the door, and, coming up to her, claimed the good wishes
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11596	and affection of a sister. Elizabeth honestly and heartily expressed
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11597	her delight in the prospect of their relationship. They shook hands with
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11598	great cordiality; and then, till her sister came down, she had to listen
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11599	to all he had to say of his own happiness, and of Jane’s perfections;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11600	and in spite of his being a lover, Elizabeth really believed all his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11601	expectations of felicity to be rationally founded, because they had for
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11602	basis the excellent understanding, and super-excellent disposition of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11603	Jane, and a general similarity of feeling and taste between her and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11604	himself.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11605
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11606	It was an evening of no common delight to them all; the satisfaction of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11607	Miss Bennet’s mind gave a glow of such sweet animation to her face, as
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11608	made her look handsomer than ever. Kitty simpered and smiled, and hoped
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11609	her turn was coming soon. Mrs. Bennet could not give her consent or
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11610	speak her approbation in terms warm enough to satisfy her feelings,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11611	though she talked to Bingley of nothing else for half an hour; and when
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11612	Mr. Bennet joined them at supper, his voice and manner plainly showed
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11613	how really happy he was.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11614
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11615	Not a word, however, passed his lips in allusion to it, till their
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11616	visitor took his leave for the night; but as soon as he was gone, he
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11617	turned to his daughter, and said:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11618
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11619	“Jane, I congratulate you. You will be a very happy woman.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11620
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11621	Jane went to him instantly, kissed him, and thanked him for his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11622	goodness.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11623
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11624	“You are a good girl;” he replied, “and I have great pleasure in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11625	thinking you will be so happily settled. I have not a doubt of your
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11626	doing very well together. Your tempers are by no means unlike. You are
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11627	each of you so complying, that nothing will ever be resolved on; so
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11628	easy, that every servant will cheat you; and so generous, that you will
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11629	always exceed your income.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11630
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11631	“I hope not so. Imprudence or thoughtlessness in money matters would be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11632	unpardonable in me.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11633
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11634	“Exceed their income! My dear Mr. Bennet,” cried his wife, “what are you
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11635	talking of? Why, he has four or five thousand a year, and very likely
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11636	more.” Then addressing her daughter, “Oh! my dear, dear Jane, I am so
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11637	happy! I am sure I shan’t get a wink of sleep all night. I knew how it
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11638	would be. I always said it must be so, at last. I was sure you could not
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11639	be so beautiful for nothing! I remember, as soon as ever I saw him, when
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11640	he first came into Hertfordshire last year, I thought how likely it was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11641	that you should come together. Oh! he is the handsomest young man that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11642	ever was seen!”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11643
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11644	Wickham, Lydia, were all forgotten. Jane was beyond competition her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11645	favourite child. At that moment, she cared for no other. Her younger
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11646	sisters soon began to make interest with her for objects of happiness
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11647	which she might in future be able to dispense.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11648
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11649	Mary petitioned for the use of the library at Netherfield; and Kitty
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11650	begged very hard for a few balls there every winter.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11651
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11652	Bingley, from this time, was of course a daily visitor at Longbourn;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11653	coming frequently before breakfast, and always remaining till after
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11654	supper; unless when some barbarous neighbour, who could not be enough
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11655	detested, had given him an invitation to dinner which he thought himself
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11656	obliged to accept.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11657
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11658	Elizabeth had now but little time for conversation with her sister; for
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11659	while he was present, Jane had no attention to bestow on anyone else;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11660	but she found herself considerably useful to both of them in those hours
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11661	of separation that must sometimes occur. In the absence of Jane, he
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11662	always attached himself to Elizabeth, for the pleasure of talking of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11663	her; and when Bingley was gone, Jane constantly sought the same means of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11664	relief.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11665
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11666	“He has made me so happy,” said she, one evening, “by telling me that he
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11667	was totally ignorant of my being in town last spring! I had not believed
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11668	it possible.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11669
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11670	“I suspected as much,” replied Elizabeth. “But how did he account for
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11671	it?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11672
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11673	“It must have been his sister’s doing. They were certainly no friends to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11674	his acquaintance with me, which I cannot wonder at, since he might have
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11675	chosen so much more advantageously in many respects. But when they see,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11676	as I trust they will, that their brother is happy with me, they will
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11677	learn to be contented, and we shall be on good terms again; though we
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11678	can never be what we once were to each other.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11679
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11680	“That is the most unforgiving speech,” said Elizabeth, “that I ever
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11681	heard you utter. Good girl! It would vex me, indeed, to see you again
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11682	the dupe of Miss Bingley’s pretended regard.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11683
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11684	“Would you believe it, Lizzy, that when he went to town last November,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11685	he really loved me, and nothing but a persuasion of _my_ being
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11686	indifferent would have prevented his coming down again!”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11687
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11688	“He made a little mistake to be sure; but it is to the credit of his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11689	modesty.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11690
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11691	This naturally introduced a panegyric from Jane on his diffidence, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11692	the little value he put on his own good qualities. Elizabeth was pleased
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11693	to find that he had not betrayed the interference of his friend; for,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11694	though Jane had the most generous and forgiving heart in the world, she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11695	knew it was a circumstance which must prejudice her against him.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11696
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11697	“I am certainly the most fortunate creature that ever existed!” cried
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11698	Jane. “Oh! Lizzy, why am I thus singled from my family, and blessed
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11699	above them all! If I could but see _you_ as happy! If there _were_ but
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11700	such another man for you!”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11701
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11702	“If you were to give me forty such men, I never could be so happy as
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11703	you. Till I have your disposition, your goodness, I never can have your
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11704	happiness. No, no, let me shift for myself; and, perhaps, if I have very
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11705	good luck, I may meet with another Mr. Collins in time.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11706
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11707	The situation of affairs in the Longbourn family could not be long a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11708	secret. Mrs. Bennet was privileged to whisper it to Mrs. Phillips,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11709	and she ventured, without any permission, to do the same by all her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11710	neighbours in Meryton.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11711
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11712	The Bennets were speedily pronounced to be the luckiest family in the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11713	world, though only a few weeks before, when Lydia had first run away,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11714	they had been generally proved to be marked out for misfortune.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11715
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11716
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11717
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11718	Chapter 56
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11719
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11720
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11721	One morning, about a week after Bingley’s engagement with Jane had been
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11722	formed, as he and the females of the family were sitting together in the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11723	dining-room, their attention was suddenly drawn to the window, by the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11724	sound of a carriage; and they perceived a chaise and four driving up
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11725	the lawn. It was too early in the morning for visitors, and besides, the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11726	equipage did not answer to that of any of their neighbours. The horses
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11727	were post; and neither the carriage, nor the livery of the servant who
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11728	preceded it, were familiar to them. As it was certain, however, that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11729	somebody was coming, Bingley instantly prevailed on Miss Bennet to avoid
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11730	the confinement of such an intrusion, and walk away with him into the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11731	shrubbery. They both set off, and the conjectures of the remaining three
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11732	continued, though with little satisfaction, till the door was thrown
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11733	open and their visitor entered. It was Lady Catherine de Bourgh.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11734
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11735	They were of course all intending to be surprised; but their
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11736	astonishment was beyond their expectation; and on the part of Mrs.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11737	Bennet and Kitty, though she was perfectly unknown to them, even
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11738	inferior to what Elizabeth felt.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11739
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11740	She entered the room with an air more than usually ungracious, made no
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11741	other reply to Elizabeth’s salutation than a slight inclination of the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11742	head, and sat down without saying a word. Elizabeth had mentioned her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11743	name to her mother on her ladyship’s entrance, though no request of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11744	introduction had been made.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11745
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11746	Mrs. Bennet, all amazement, though flattered by having a guest of such
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11747	high importance, received her with the utmost politeness. After sitting
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11748	for a moment in silence, she said very stiffly to Elizabeth,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11749
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11750	“I hope you are well, Miss Bennet. That lady, I suppose, is your
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11751	mother.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11752
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11753	Elizabeth replied very concisely that she was.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11754
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11755	“And _that_ I suppose is one of your sisters.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11756
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11757	“Yes, madam,” said Mrs. Bennet, delighted to speak to Lady Catherine.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11758	“She is my youngest girl but one. My youngest of all is lately married,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11759	and my eldest is somewhere about the grounds, walking with a young man
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11760	who, I believe, will soon become a part of the family.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11761
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11762	“You have a very small park here,” returned Lady Catherine after a short
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11763	silence.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11764
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11765	“It is nothing in comparison of Rosings, my lady, I dare say; but I
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11766	assure you it is much larger than Sir William Lucas’s.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11767
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11768	“This must be a most inconvenient sitting room for the evening, in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11769	summer; the windows are full west.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11770
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11771	Mrs. Bennet assured her that they never sat there after dinner, and then
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11772	added:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11773
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11774	“May I take the liberty of asking your ladyship whether you left Mr. and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11775	Mrs. Collins well.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11776
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11777	“Yes, very well. I saw them the night before last.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11778
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11779	Elizabeth now expected that she would produce a letter for her from
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11780	Charlotte, as it seemed the only probable motive for her calling. But no
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11781	letter appeared, and she was completely puzzled.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11782
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11783	Mrs. Bennet, with great civility, begged her ladyship to take some
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11784	refreshment; but Lady Catherine very resolutely, and not very politely,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11785	declined eating anything; and then, rising up, said to Elizabeth,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11786
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11787	“Miss Bennet, there seemed to be a prettyish kind of a little wilderness
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11788	on one side of your lawn. I should be glad to take a turn in it, if you
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11789	will favour me with your company.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11790
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11791	“Go, my dear,” cried her mother, “and show her ladyship about the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11792	different walks. I think she will be pleased with the hermitage.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11793
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11794	Elizabeth obeyed, and running into her own room for her parasol,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11795	attended her noble guest downstairs. As they passed through the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11796	hall, Lady Catherine opened the doors into the dining-parlour and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11797	drawing-room, and pronouncing them, after a short survey, to be decent
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11798	looking rooms, walked on.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11799
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11800	Her carriage remained at the door, and Elizabeth saw that her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11801	waiting-woman was in it. They proceeded in silence along the gravel walk
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11802	that led to the copse; Elizabeth was determined to make no effort for
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11803	conversation with a woman who was now more than usually insolent and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11804	disagreeable.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11805
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11806	“How could I ever think her like her nephew?” said she, as she looked in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11807	her face.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11808
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11809	As soon as they entered the copse, Lady Catherine began in the following
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11810	manner:--
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11811
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11812	“You can be at no loss, Miss Bennet, to understand the reason of my
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11813	journey hither. Your own heart, your own conscience, must tell you why I
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11814	come.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11815
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11816	Elizabeth looked with unaffected astonishment.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11817
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11818	“Indeed, you are mistaken, Madam. I have not been at all able to account
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11819	for the honour of seeing you here.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11820
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11821	“Miss Bennet,” replied her ladyship, in an angry tone, “you ought to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11822	know, that I am not to be trifled with. But however insincere _you_ may
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11823	choose to be, you shall not find _me_ so. My character has ever been
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11824	celebrated for its sincerity and frankness, and in a cause of such
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11825	moment as this, I shall certainly not depart from it. A report of a most
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11826	alarming nature reached me two days ago. I was told that not only your
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11827	sister was on the point of being most advantageously married, but that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11828	you, that Miss Elizabeth Bennet, would, in all likelihood, be soon
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11829	afterwards united to my nephew, my own nephew, Mr. Darcy. Though I
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11830	_know_ it must be a scandalous falsehood, though I would not injure him
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11831	so much as to suppose the truth of it possible, I instantly resolved
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11832	on setting off for this place, that I might make my sentiments known to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11833	you.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11834
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11835	“If you believed it impossible to be true,” said Elizabeth, colouring
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11836	with astonishment and disdain, “I wonder you took the trouble of coming
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11837	so far. What could your ladyship propose by it?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11838
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11839	“At once to insist upon having such a report universally contradicted.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11840
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11841	“Your coming to Longbourn, to see me and my family,” said Elizabeth
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11842	coolly, “will be rather a confirmation of it; if, indeed, such a report
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11843	is in existence.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11844
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11845	“If! Do you then pretend to be ignorant of it? Has it not been
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11846	industriously circulated by yourselves? Do you not know that such a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11847	report is spread abroad?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11848
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11849	“I never heard that it was.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11850
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11851	“And can you likewise declare, that there is no foundation for it?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11852
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11853	“I do not pretend to possess equal frankness with your ladyship. You may
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11854	ask questions which I shall not choose to answer.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11855
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11856	“This is not to be borne. Miss Bennet, I insist on being satisfied. Has
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11857	he, has my nephew, made you an offer of marriage?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11858
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11859	“Your ladyship has declared it to be impossible.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11860
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11861	“It ought to be so; it must be so, while he retains the use of his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11862	reason. But your arts and allurements may, in a moment of infatuation,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11863	have made him forget what he owes to himself and to all his family. You
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11864	may have drawn him in.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11865
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11866	“If I have, I shall be the last person to confess it.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11867
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11868	“Miss Bennet, do you know who I am? I have not been accustomed to such
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11869	language as this. I am almost the nearest relation he has in the world,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11870	and am entitled to know all his dearest concerns.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11871
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11872	“But you are not entitled to know mine; nor will such behaviour as this,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11873	ever induce me to be explicit.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11874
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11875	“Let me be rightly understood. This match, to which you have the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11876	presumption to aspire, can never take place. No, never. Mr. Darcy is
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11877	engaged to my daughter. Now what have you to say?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11878
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11879	“Only this; that if he is so, you can have no reason to suppose he will
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11880	make an offer to me.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11881
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11882	Lady Catherine hesitated for a moment, and then replied:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11883
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11884	“The engagement between them is of a peculiar kind. From their infancy,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11885	they have been intended for each other. It was the favourite wish of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11886	_his_ mother, as well as of hers. While in their cradles, we planned
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11887	the union: and now, at the moment when the wishes of both sisters would
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11888	be accomplished in their marriage, to be prevented by a young woman of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11889	inferior birth, of no importance in the world, and wholly unallied to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11890	the family! Do you pay no regard to the wishes of his friends? To his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11891	tacit engagement with Miss de Bourgh? Are you lost to every feeling of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11892	propriety and delicacy? Have you not heard me say that from his earliest
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11893	hours he was destined for his cousin?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11894
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11895	“Yes, and I had heard it before. But what is that to me? If there is
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11896	no other objection to my marrying your nephew, I shall certainly not
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11897	be kept from it by knowing that his mother and aunt wished him to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11898	marry Miss de Bourgh. You both did as much as you could in planning the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11899	marriage. Its completion depended on others. If Mr. Darcy is neither
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11900	by honour nor inclination confined to his cousin, why is not he to make
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11901	another choice? And if I am that choice, why may not I accept him?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11902
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11903	“Because honour, decorum, prudence, nay, interest, forbid it. Yes,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11904	Miss Bennet, interest; for do not expect to be noticed by his family or
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11905	friends, if you wilfully act against the inclinations of all. You will
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11906	be censured, slighted, and despised, by everyone connected with him.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11907	Your alliance will be a disgrace; your name will never even be mentioned
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11908	by any of us.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11909
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11910	“These are heavy misfortunes,” replied Elizabeth. “But the wife of Mr.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11911	Darcy must have such extraordinary sources of happiness necessarily
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11912	attached to her situation, that she could, upon the whole, have no cause
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11913	to repine.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11914
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11915	“Obstinate, headstrong girl! I am ashamed of you! Is this your gratitude
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11916	for my attentions to you last spring? Is nothing due to me on that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11917	score? Let us sit down. You are to understand, Miss Bennet, that I came
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11918	here with the determined resolution of carrying my purpose; nor will
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11919	I be dissuaded from it. I have not been used to submit to any person’s
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11920	whims. I have not been in the habit of brooking disappointment.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11921
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11922	“_That_ will make your ladyship’s situation at present more pitiable;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11923	but it will have no effect on me.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11924
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11925	“I will not be interrupted. Hear me in silence. My daughter and my
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11926	nephew are formed for each other. They are descended, on the maternal
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11927	side, from the same noble line; and, on the father’s, from respectable,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11928	honourable, and ancient--though untitled--families. Their fortune on
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11929	both sides is splendid. They are destined for each other by the voice of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11930	every member of their respective houses; and what is to divide them?
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11931	The upstart pretensions of a young woman without family, connections,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11932	or fortune. Is this to be endured! But it must not, shall not be. If you
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11933	were sensible of your own good, you would not wish to quit the sphere in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11934	which you have been brought up.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11935
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11936	“In marrying your nephew, I should not consider myself as quitting that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11937	sphere. He is a gentleman; I am a gentleman’s daughter; so far we are
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11938	equal.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11939
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11940	“True. You _are_ a gentleman’s daughter. But who was your mother?
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11941	Who are your uncles and aunts? Do not imagine me ignorant of their
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11942	condition.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11943
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11944	“Whatever my connections may be,” said Elizabeth, “if your nephew does
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11945	not object to them, they can be nothing to _you_.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11946
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11947	“Tell me once for all, are you engaged to him?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11948
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11949	Though Elizabeth would not, for the mere purpose of obliging Lady
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11950	Catherine, have answered this question, she could not but say, after a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11951	moment’s deliberation:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11952
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11953	“I am not.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11954
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11955	Lady Catherine seemed pleased.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11956
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11957	“And will you promise me, never to enter into such an engagement?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11958
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11959	“I will make no promise of the kind.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11960
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11961	“Miss Bennet I am shocked and astonished. I expected to find a more
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11962	reasonable young woman. But do not deceive yourself into a belief that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11963	I will ever recede. I shall not go away till you have given me the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11964	assurance I require.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11965
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11966	“And I certainly _never_ shall give it. I am not to be intimidated into
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11967	anything so wholly unreasonable. Your ladyship wants Mr. Darcy to marry
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11968	your daughter; but would my giving you the wished-for promise make their
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11969	marriage at all more probable? Supposing him to be attached to me, would
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11970	my refusing to accept his hand make him wish to bestow it on his cousin?
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11971	Allow me to say, Lady Catherine, that the arguments with which you have
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11972	supported this extraordinary application have been as frivolous as the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11973	application was ill-judged. You have widely mistaken my character, if
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11974	you think I can be worked on by such persuasions as these. How far your
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11975	nephew might approve of your interference in his affairs, I cannot tell;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11976	but you have certainly no right to concern yourself in mine. I must beg,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11977	therefore, to be importuned no farther on the subject.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11978
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11979	“Not so hasty, if you please. I have by no means done. To all the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11980	objections I have already urged, I have still another to add. I am
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11981	no stranger to the particulars of your youngest sister’s infamous
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11982	elopement. I know it all; that the young man’s marrying her was a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11983	patched-up business, at the expence of your father and uncles. And is
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11984	such a girl to be my nephew’s sister? Is her husband, is the son of his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11985	late father’s steward, to be his brother? Heaven and earth!--of what are
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11986	you thinking? Are the shades of Pemberley to be thus polluted?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11987
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11988	“You can now have nothing further to say,” she resentfully answered.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11989	“You have insulted me in every possible method. I must beg to return to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11990	the house.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11991
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11992	And she rose as she spoke. Lady Catherine rose also, and they turned
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11993	back. Her ladyship was highly incensed.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11994
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11995	“You have no regard, then, for the honour and credit of my nephew!
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11996	Unfeeling, selfish girl! Do you not consider that a connection with you
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11997	must disgrace him in the eyes of everybody?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11998
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	11999	“Lady Catherine, I have nothing further to say. You know my sentiments.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12000
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12001	“You are then resolved to have him?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12002
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12003	“I have said no such thing. I am only resolved to act in that manner,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12004	which will, in my own opinion, constitute my happiness, without
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12005	reference to _you_, or to any person so wholly unconnected with me.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12006
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12007	“It is well. You refuse, then, to oblige me. You refuse to obey the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12008	claims of duty, honour, and gratitude. You are determined to ruin him in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12009	the opinion of all his friends, and make him the contempt of the world.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12010
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12011	“Neither duty, nor honour, nor gratitude,” replied Elizabeth, “have any
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12012	possible claim on me, in the present instance. No principle of either
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12013	would be violated by my marriage with Mr. Darcy. And with regard to the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12014	resentment of his family, or the indignation of the world, if the former
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12015	_were_ excited by his marrying me, it would not give me one moment’s
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12016	concern--and the world in general would have too much sense to join in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12017	the scorn.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12018
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12019	“And this is your real opinion! This is your final resolve! Very well.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12020	I shall now know how to act. Do not imagine, Miss Bennet, that your
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12021	ambition will ever be gratified. I came to try you. I hoped to find you
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12022	reasonable; but, depend upon it, I will carry my point.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12023
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12024	In this manner Lady Catherine talked on, till they were at the door of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12025	the carriage, when, turning hastily round, she added, “I take no leave
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12026	of you, Miss Bennet. I send no compliments to your mother. You deserve
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12027	no such attention. I am most seriously displeased.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12028
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12029	Elizabeth made no answer; and without attempting to persuade her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12030	ladyship to return into the house, walked quietly into it herself. She
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12031	heard the carriage drive away as she proceeded up stairs. Her mother
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12032	impatiently met her at the door of the dressing-room, to ask why Lady
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12033	Catherine would not come in again and rest herself.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12034
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12035	“She did not choose it,” said her daughter, “she would go.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12036
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12037	“She is a very fine-looking woman! and her calling here was prodigiously
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12038	civil! for she only came, I suppose, to tell us the Collinses were
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12039	well. She is on her road somewhere, I dare say, and so, passing through
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12040	Meryton, thought she might as well call on you. I suppose she had
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12041	nothing particular to say to you, Lizzy?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12042
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12043	Elizabeth was forced to give into a little falsehood here; for to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12044	acknowledge the substance of their conversation was impossible.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12045
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12046
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12047
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12048	Chapter 57
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12049
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12050
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12051	The discomposure of spirits which this extraordinary visit threw
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12052	Elizabeth into, could not be easily overcome; nor could she, for many
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12053	hours, learn to think of it less than incessantly. Lady Catherine, it
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12054	appeared, had actually taken the trouble of this journey from Rosings,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12055	for the sole purpose of breaking off her supposed engagement with Mr.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12056	Darcy. It was a rational scheme, to be sure! but from what the report
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12057	of their engagement could originate, Elizabeth was at a loss to imagine;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12058	till she recollected that _his_ being the intimate friend of Bingley,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12059	and _her_ being the sister of Jane, was enough, at a time when the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12060	expectation of one wedding made everybody eager for another, to supply
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12061	the idea. She had not herself forgotten to feel that the marriage of her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12062	sister must bring them more frequently together. And her neighbours
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12063	at Lucas Lodge, therefore (for through their communication with the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12064	Collinses, the report, she concluded, had reached Lady Catherine), had
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12065	only set that down as almost certain and immediate, which she had looked
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12066	forward to as possible at some future time.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12067
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12068	In revolving Lady Catherine’s expressions, however, she could not help
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12069	feeling some uneasiness as to the possible consequence of her persisting
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12070	in this interference. From what she had said of her resolution to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12071	prevent their marriage, it occurred to Elizabeth that she must meditate
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12072	an application to her nephew; and how _he_ might take a similar
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12073	representation of the evils attached to a connection with her, she dared
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12074	not pronounce. She knew not the exact degree of his affection for his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12075	aunt, or his dependence on her judgment, but it was natural to suppose
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12076	that he thought much higher of her ladyship than _she_ could do; and it
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12077	was certain that, in enumerating the miseries of a marriage with _one_,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12078	whose immediate connections were so unequal to his own, his aunt would
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12079	address him on his weakest side. With his notions of dignity, he would
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12080	probably feel that the arguments, which to Elizabeth had appeared weak
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12081	and ridiculous, contained much good sense and solid reasoning.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12082
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12083	If he had been wavering before as to what he should do, which had often
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12084	seemed likely, the advice and entreaty of so near a relation might
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12085	settle every doubt, and determine him at once to be as happy as dignity
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12086	unblemished could make him. In that case he would return no more. Lady
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12087	Catherine might see him in her way through town; and his engagement to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12088	Bingley of coming again to Netherfield must give way.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12089
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12090	“If, therefore, an excuse for not keeping his promise should come to his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12091	friend within a few days,” she added, “I shall know how to understand
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12092	it. I shall then give over every expectation, every wish of his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12093	constancy. If he is satisfied with only regretting me, when he might
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12094	have obtained my affections and hand, I shall soon cease to regret him
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12095	at all.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12096
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12097	* * * * *
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12098
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12099	The surprise of the rest of the family, on hearing who their visitor had
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12100	been, was very great; but they obligingly satisfied it, with the same
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12101	kind of supposition which had appeased Mrs. Bennet’s curiosity; and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12102	Elizabeth was spared from much teasing on the subject.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12103
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12104	The next morning, as she was going downstairs, she was met by her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12105	father, who came out of his library with a letter in his hand.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12106
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12107	“Lizzy,” said he, “I was going to look for you; come into my room.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12108
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12109	She followed him thither; and her curiosity to know what he had to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12110	tell her was heightened by the supposition of its being in some manner
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12111	connected with the letter he held. It suddenly struck her that it
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12112	might be from Lady Catherine; and she anticipated with dismay all the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12113	consequent explanations.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12114
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12115	She followed her father to the fire place, and they both sat down. He
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12116	then said,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12117
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12118	“I have received a letter this morning that has astonished me
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12119	exceedingly. As it principally concerns yourself, you ought to know its
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12120	contents. I did not know before, that I had two daughters on the brink
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12121	of matrimony. Let me congratulate you on a very important conquest.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12122
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12123	The colour now rushed into Elizabeth’s cheeks in the instantaneous
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12124	conviction of its being a letter from the nephew, instead of the aunt;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12125	and she was undetermined whether most to be pleased that he explained
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12126	himself at all, or offended that his letter was not rather addressed to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12127	herself; when her father continued:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12128
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12129	“You look conscious. Young ladies have great penetration in such matters
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12130	as these; but I think I may defy even _your_ sagacity, to discover the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12131	name of your admirer. This letter is from Mr. Collins.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12132
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12133	“From Mr. Collins! and what can _he_ have to say?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12134
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12135	“Something very much to the purpose of course. He begins with
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12136	congratulations on the approaching nuptials of my eldest daughter, of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12137	which, it seems, he has been told by some of the good-natured, gossiping
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12138	Lucases. I shall not sport with your impatience, by reading what he says
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12139	on that point. What relates to yourself, is as follows: ‘Having thus
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12140	offered you the sincere congratulations of Mrs. Collins and myself on
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12141	this happy event, let me now add a short hint on the subject of another;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12142	of which we have been advertised by the same authority. Your daughter
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12143	Elizabeth, it is presumed, will not long bear the name of Bennet, after
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12144	her elder sister has resigned it, and the chosen partner of her fate may
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12145	be reasonably looked up to as one of the most illustrious personages in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12146	this land.’
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12147
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12148	“Can you possibly guess, Lizzy, who is meant by this? ‘This young
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12149	gentleman is blessed, in a peculiar way, with every thing the heart of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12150	mortal can most desire,--splendid property, noble kindred, and extensive
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12151	patronage. Yet in spite of all these temptations, let me warn my cousin
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12152	Elizabeth, and yourself, of what evils you may incur by a precipitate
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12153	closure with this gentleman’s proposals, which, of course, you will be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12154	inclined to take immediate advantage of.’
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12155
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12156	“Have you any idea, Lizzy, who this gentleman is? But now it comes out:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12157
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12158	“‘My motive for cautioning you is as follows. We have reason to imagine
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12159	that his aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, does not look on the match with
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12160	a friendly eye.’
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12161
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12162	“_Mr. Darcy_, you see, is the man! Now, Lizzy, I think I _have_
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12163	surprised you. Could he, or the Lucases, have pitched on any man within
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12164	the circle of our acquaintance, whose name would have given the lie
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12165	more effectually to what they related? Mr. Darcy, who never looks at any
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12166	woman but to see a blemish, and who probably never looked at you in his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12167	life! It is admirable!”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12168
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12169	Elizabeth tried to join in her father’s pleasantry, but could only force
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12170	one most reluctant smile. Never had his wit been directed in a manner so
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12171	little agreeable to her.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12172
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12173	“Are you not diverted?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12174
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12175	“Oh! yes. Pray read on.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12176
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12177	“‘After mentioning the likelihood of this marriage to her ladyship last
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12178	night, she immediately, with her usual condescension, expressed what she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12179	felt on the occasion; when it became apparent, that on the score of some
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12180	family objections on the part of my cousin, she would never give her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12181	consent to what she termed so disgraceful a match. I thought it my duty
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12182	to give the speediest intelligence of this to my cousin, that she and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12183	her noble admirer may be aware of what they are about, and not run
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12184	hastily into a marriage which has not been properly sanctioned.’ Mr.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12185	Collins moreover adds, ‘I am truly rejoiced that my cousin Lydia’s sad
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12186	business has been so well hushed up, and am only concerned that their
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12187	living together before the marriage took place should be so generally
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12188	known. I must not, however, neglect the duties of my station, or refrain
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12189	from declaring my amazement at hearing that you received the young
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12190	couple into your house as soon as they were married. It was an
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12191	encouragement of vice; and had I been the rector of Longbourn, I should
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12192	very strenuously have opposed it. You ought certainly to forgive them,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12193	as a Christian, but never to admit them in your sight, or allow their
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12194	names to be mentioned in your hearing.’ That is his notion of Christian
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12195	forgiveness! The rest of his letter is only about his dear Charlotte’s
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12196	situation, and his expectation of a young olive-branch. But, Lizzy, you
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12197	look as if you did not enjoy it. You are not going to be _missish_,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12198	I hope, and pretend to be affronted at an idle report. For what do we
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12199	live, but to make sport for our neighbours, and laugh at them in our
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12200	turn?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12201
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12202	“Oh!” cried Elizabeth, “I am excessively diverted. But it is so
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12203	strange!”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12204
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12205	“Yes--_that_ is what makes it amusing. Had they fixed on any other man
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12206	it would have been nothing; but _his_ perfect indifference, and _your_
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12207	pointed dislike, make it so delightfully absurd! Much as I abominate
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12208	writing, I would not give up Mr. Collins’s correspondence for any
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12209	consideration. Nay, when I read a letter of his, I cannot help giving
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12210	him the preference even over Wickham, much as I value the impudence and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12211	hypocrisy of my son-in-law. And pray, Lizzy, what said Lady Catherine
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12212	about this report? Did she call to refuse her consent?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12213
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12214	To this question his daughter replied only with a laugh; and as it had
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12215	been asked without the least suspicion, she was not distressed by
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12216	his repeating it. Elizabeth had never been more at a loss to make her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12217	feelings appear what they were not. It was necessary to laugh, when she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12218	would rather have cried. Her father had most cruelly mortified her, by
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12219	what he said of Mr. Darcy’s indifference, and she could do nothing but
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12220	wonder at such a want of penetration, or fear that perhaps, instead of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12221	his seeing too little, she might have fancied too much.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12222
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12223
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12224
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12225	Chapter 58
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12226
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12227
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12228	Instead of receiving any such letter of excuse from his friend, as
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12229	Elizabeth half expected Mr. Bingley to do, he was able to bring Darcy
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12230	with him to Longbourn before many days had passed after Lady Catherine’s
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12231	visit. The gentlemen arrived early; and, before Mrs. Bennet had time
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12232	to tell him of their having seen his aunt, of which her daughter sat
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12233	in momentary dread, Bingley, who wanted to be alone with Jane, proposed
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12234	their all walking out. It was agreed to. Mrs. Bennet was not in the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12235	habit of walking; Mary could never spare time; but the remaining five
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12236	set off together. Bingley and Jane, however, soon allowed the others
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12237	to outstrip them. They lagged behind, while Elizabeth, Kitty, and Darcy
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12238	were to entertain each other. Very little was said by either; Kitty
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12239	was too much afraid of him to talk; Elizabeth was secretly forming a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12240	desperate resolution; and perhaps he might be doing the same.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12241
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12242	They walked towards the Lucases, because Kitty wished to call upon
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12243	Maria; and as Elizabeth saw no occasion for making it a general concern,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12244	when Kitty left them she went boldly on with him alone. Now was the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12245	moment for her resolution to be executed, and, while her courage was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12246	high, she immediately said:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12247
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12248	“Mr. Darcy, I am a very selfish creature; and, for the sake of giving
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12249	relief to my own feelings, care not how much I may be wounding yours. I
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12250	can no longer help thanking you for your unexampled kindness to my
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12251	poor sister. Ever since I have known it, I have been most anxious to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12252	acknowledge to you how gratefully I feel it. Were it known to the rest
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12253	of my family, I should not have merely my own gratitude to express.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12254
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12255	“I am sorry, exceedingly sorry,” replied Darcy, in a tone of surprise
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12256	and emotion, “that you have ever been informed of what may, in a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12257	mistaken light, have given you uneasiness. I did not think Mrs. Gardiner
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12258	was so little to be trusted.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12259
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12260	“You must not blame my aunt. Lydia’s thoughtlessness first betrayed to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12261	me that you had been concerned in the matter; and, of course, I could
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12262	not rest till I knew the particulars. Let me thank you again and again,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12263	in the name of all my family, for that generous compassion which induced
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12264	you to take so much trouble, and bear so many mortifications, for the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12265	sake of discovering them.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12266
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12267	“If you _will_ thank me,” he replied, “let it be for yourself alone.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12268	That the wish of giving happiness to you might add force to the other
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12269	inducements which led me on, I shall not attempt to deny. But your
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12270	_family_ owe me nothing. Much as I respect them, I believe I thought
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12271	only of _you_.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12272
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12273	Elizabeth was too much embarrassed to say a word. After a short pause,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12274	her companion added, “You are too generous to trifle with me. If your
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12275	feelings are still what they were last April, tell me so at once. _My_
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12276	affections and wishes are unchanged, but one word from you will silence
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12277	me on this subject for ever.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12278
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12279	Elizabeth, feeling all the more than common awkwardness and anxiety of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12280	his situation, now forced herself to speak; and immediately, though not
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12281	very fluently, gave him to understand that her sentiments had undergone
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12282	so material a change, since the period to which he alluded, as to make
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12283	her receive with gratitude and pleasure his present assurances. The
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12284	happiness which this reply produced, was such as he had probably never
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12285	felt before; and he expressed himself on the occasion as sensibly and as
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12286	warmly as a man violently in love can be supposed to do. Had Elizabeth
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12287	been able to encounter his eye, she might have seen how well the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12288	expression of heartfelt delight, diffused over his face, became him;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12289	but, though she could not look, she could listen, and he told her of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12290	feelings, which, in proving of what importance she was to him, made his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12291	affection every moment more valuable.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12292
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12293	They walked on, without knowing in what direction. There was too much to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12294	be thought, and felt, and said, for attention to any other objects. She
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12295	soon learnt that they were indebted for their present good understanding
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12296	to the efforts of his aunt, who did call on him in her return through
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12297	London, and there relate her journey to Longbourn, its motive, and the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12298	substance of her conversation with Elizabeth; dwelling emphatically on
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12299	every expression of the latter which, in her ladyship’s apprehension,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12300	peculiarly denoted her perverseness and assurance; in the belief that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12301	such a relation must assist her endeavours to obtain that promise
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12302	from her nephew which she had refused to give. But, unluckily for her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12303	ladyship, its effect had been exactly contrariwise.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12304
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12305	“It taught me to hope,” said he, “as I had scarcely ever allowed myself
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12306	to hope before. I knew enough of your disposition to be certain that,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12307	had you been absolutely, irrevocably decided against me, you would have
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12308	acknowledged it to Lady Catherine, frankly and openly.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12309
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12310	Elizabeth coloured and laughed as she replied, “Yes, you know enough
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12311	of my frankness to believe me capable of _that_. After abusing you so
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12312	abominably to your face, I could have no scruple in abusing you to all
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12313	your relations.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12314
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12315	“What did you say of me, that I did not deserve? For, though your
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12316	accusations were ill-founded, formed on mistaken premises, my
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12317	behaviour to you at the time had merited the severest reproof. It was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12318	unpardonable. I cannot think of it without abhorrence.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12319
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12320	“We will not quarrel for the greater share of blame annexed to that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12321	evening,” said Elizabeth. “The conduct of neither, if strictly examined,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12322	will be irreproachable; but since then, we have both, I hope, improved
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12323	in civility.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12324
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12325	“I cannot be so easily reconciled to myself. The recollection of what I
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12326	then said, of my conduct, my manners, my expressions during the whole of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12327	it, is now, and has been many months, inexpressibly painful to me. Your
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12328	reproof, so well applied, I shall never forget: ‘had you behaved in a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12329	more gentlemanlike manner.’ Those were your words. You know not, you can
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12330	scarcely conceive, how they have tortured me;--though it was some time,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12331	I confess, before I was reasonable enough to allow their justice.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12332
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12333	“I was certainly very far from expecting them to make so strong an
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12334	impression. I had not the smallest idea of their being ever felt in such
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12335	a way.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12336
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12337	“I can easily believe it. You thought me then devoid of every proper
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12338	feeling, I am sure you did. The turn of your countenance I shall never
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12339	forget, as you said that I could not have addressed you in any possible
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12340	way that would induce you to accept me.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12341
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12342	“Oh! do not repeat what I then said. These recollections will not do at
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12343	all. I assure you that I have long been most heartily ashamed of it.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12344
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12345	Darcy mentioned his letter. “Did it,” said he, “did it soon make you
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12346	think better of me? Did you, on reading it, give any credit to its
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12347	contents?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12348
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12349	She explained what its effect on her had been, and how gradually all her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12350	former prejudices had been removed.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12351
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12352	“I knew,” said he, “that what I wrote must give you pain, but it was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12353	necessary. I hope you have destroyed the letter. There was one part
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12354	especially, the opening of it, which I should dread your having the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12355	power of reading again. I can remember some expressions which might
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12356	justly make you hate me.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12357
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12358	“The letter shall certainly be burnt, if you believe it essential to the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12359	preservation of my regard; but, though we have both reason to think my
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12360	opinions not entirely unalterable, they are not, I hope, quite so easily
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12361	changed as that implies.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12362
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12363	“When I wrote that letter,” replied Darcy, “I believed myself perfectly
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12364	calm and cool, but I am since convinced that it was written in a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12365	dreadful bitterness of spirit.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12366
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12367	“The letter, perhaps, began in bitterness, but it did not end so. The
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12368	adieu is charity itself. But think no more of the letter. The feelings
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12369	of the person who wrote, and the person who received it, are now
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12370	so widely different from what they were then, that every unpleasant
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12371	circumstance attending it ought to be forgotten. You must learn some
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12372	of my philosophy. Think only of the past as its remembrance gives you
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12373	pleasure.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12374
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12375	“I cannot give you credit for any philosophy of the kind. Your
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12376	retrospections must be so totally void of reproach, that the contentment
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12377	arising from them is not of philosophy, but, what is much better, of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12378	innocence. But with me, it is not so. Painful recollections will intrude
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12379	which cannot, which ought not, to be repelled. I have been a selfish
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12380	being all my life, in practice, though not in principle. As a child I
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12381	was taught what was right, but I was not taught to correct my temper. I
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12382	was given good principles, but left to follow them in pride and conceit.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12383	Unfortunately an only son (for many years an only child), I was spoilt
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12384	by my parents, who, though good themselves (my father, particularly, all
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12385	that was benevolent and amiable), allowed, encouraged, almost taught
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12386	me to be selfish and overbearing; to care for none beyond my own family
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12387	circle; to think meanly of all the rest of the world; to wish at least
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12388	to think meanly of their sense and worth compared with my own. Such I
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12389	was, from eight to eight and twenty; and such I might still have been
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12390	but for you, dearest, loveliest Elizabeth! What do I not owe you! You
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12391	taught me a lesson, hard indeed at first, but most advantageous. By you,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12392	I was properly humbled. I came to you without a doubt of my reception.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12393	You showed me how insufficient were all my pretensions to please a woman
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12394	worthy of being pleased.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12395
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12396	“Had you then persuaded yourself that I should?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12397
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12398	“Indeed I had. What will you think of my vanity? I believed you to be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12399	wishing, expecting my addresses.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12400
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12401	“My manners must have been in fault, but not intentionally, I assure
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12402	you. I never meant to deceive you, but my spirits might often lead me
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12403	wrong. How you must have hated me after _that_ evening?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12404
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12405	“Hate you! I was angry perhaps at first, but my anger soon began to take
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12406	a proper direction.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12407
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12408	“I am almost afraid of asking what you thought of me, when we met at
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12409	Pemberley. You blamed me for coming?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12410
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12411	“No indeed; I felt nothing but surprise.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12412
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12413	“Your surprise could not be greater than _mine_ in being noticed by you.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12414	My conscience told me that I deserved no extraordinary politeness, and I
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12415	confess that I did not expect to receive _more_ than my due.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12416
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12417	“My object then,” replied Darcy, “was to show you, by every civility in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12418	my power, that I was not so mean as to resent the past; and I hoped to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12419	obtain your forgiveness, to lessen your ill opinion, by letting you
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12420	see that your reproofs had been attended to. How soon any other wishes
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12421	introduced themselves I can hardly tell, but I believe in about half an
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12422	hour after I had seen you.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12423
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12424	He then told her of Georgiana’s delight in her acquaintance, and of her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12425	disappointment at its sudden interruption; which naturally leading to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12426	the cause of that interruption, she soon learnt that his resolution of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12427	following her from Derbyshire in quest of her sister had been formed
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12428	before he quitted the inn, and that his gravity and thoughtfulness
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12429	there had arisen from no other struggles than what such a purpose must
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12430	comprehend.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12431
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12432	She expressed her gratitude again, but it was too painful a subject to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12433	each, to be dwelt on farther.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12434
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12435	After walking several miles in a leisurely manner, and too busy to know
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12436	anything about it, they found at last, on examining their watches, that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12437	it was time to be at home.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12438
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12439	“What could become of Mr. Bingley and Jane!” was a wonder which
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12440	introduced the discussion of their affairs. Darcy was delighted with
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12441	their engagement; his friend had given him the earliest information of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12442	it.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12443
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12444	“I must ask whether you were surprised?” said Elizabeth.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12445
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12446	“Not at all. When I went away, I felt that it would soon happen.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12447
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12448	“That is to say, you had given your permission. I guessed as much.” And
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12449	though he exclaimed at the term, she found that it had been pretty much
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12450	the case.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12451
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12452	“On the evening before my going to London,” said he, “I made a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12453	confession to him, which I believe I ought to have made long ago. I
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12454	told him of all that had occurred to make my former interference in his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12455	affairs absurd and impertinent. His surprise was great. He had never had
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12456	the slightest suspicion. I told him, moreover, that I believed myself
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12457	mistaken in supposing, as I had done, that your sister was indifferent
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12458	to him; and as I could easily perceive that his attachment to her was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12459	unabated, I felt no doubt of their happiness together.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12460
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12461	Elizabeth could not help smiling at his easy manner of directing his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12462	friend.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12463
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12464	“Did you speak from your own observation,” said she, “when you told him
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12465	that my sister loved him, or merely from my information last spring?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12466
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12467	“From the former. I had narrowly observed her during the two visits
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12468	which I had lately made here; and I was convinced of her affection.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12469
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12470	“And your assurance of it, I suppose, carried immediate conviction to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12471	him.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12472
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12473	“It did. Bingley is most unaffectedly modest. His diffidence had
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12474	prevented his depending on his own judgment in so anxious a case, but
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12475	his reliance on mine made every thing easy. I was obliged to confess
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12476	one thing, which for a time, and not unjustly, offended him. I could not
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12477	allow myself to conceal that your sister had been in town three months
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12478	last winter, that I had known it, and purposely kept it from him. He was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12479	angry. But his anger, I am persuaded, lasted no longer than he remained
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12480	in any doubt of your sister’s sentiments. He has heartily forgiven me
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12481	now.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12482
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12483	Elizabeth longed to observe that Mr. Bingley had been a most delightful
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12484	friend; so easily guided that his worth was invaluable; but she checked
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12485	herself. She remembered that he had yet to learn to be laughed at,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12486	and it was rather too early to begin. In anticipating the happiness
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12487	of Bingley, which of course was to be inferior only to his own, he
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12488	continued the conversation till they reached the house. In the hall they
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12489	parted.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12490
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12491
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12492
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12493	Chapter 59
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12494
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12495
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12496	“My dear Lizzy, where can you have been walking to?” was a question
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12497	which Elizabeth received from Jane as soon as she entered their room,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12498	and from all the others when they sat down to table. She had only to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12499	say in reply, that they had wandered about, till she was beyond her own
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12500	knowledge. She coloured as she spoke; but neither that, nor anything
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12501	else, awakened a suspicion of the truth.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12502
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12503	The evening passed quietly, unmarked by anything extraordinary. The
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12504	acknowledged lovers talked and laughed, the unacknowledged were silent.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12505	Darcy was not of a disposition in which happiness overflows in mirth;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12506	and Elizabeth, agitated and confused, rather _knew_ that she was happy
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12507	than _felt_ herself to be so; for, besides the immediate embarrassment,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12508	there were other evils before her. She anticipated what would be felt
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12509	in the family when her situation became known; she was aware that no
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12510	one liked him but Jane; and even feared that with the others it was a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12511	dislike which not all his fortune and consequence might do away.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12512
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12513	At night she opened her heart to Jane. Though suspicion was very far
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12514	from Miss Bennet’s general habits, she was absolutely incredulous here.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12515
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12516	“You are joking, Lizzy. This cannot be!--engaged to Mr. Darcy! No, no,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12517	you shall not deceive me. I know it to be impossible.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12518
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12519	“This is a wretched beginning indeed! My sole dependence was on you; and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12520	I am sure nobody else will believe me, if you do not. Yet, indeed, I am
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12521	in earnest. I speak nothing but the truth. He still loves me, and we are
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12522	engaged.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12523
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12524	Jane looked at her doubtingly. “Oh, Lizzy! it cannot be. I know how much
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12525	you dislike him.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12526
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12527	“You know nothing of the matter. _That_ is all to be forgot. Perhaps I
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12528	did not always love him so well as I do now. But in such cases as
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12529	these, a good memory is unpardonable. This is the last time I shall ever
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12530	remember it myself.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12531
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12532	Miss Bennet still looked all amazement. Elizabeth again, and more
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12533	seriously assured her of its truth.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12534
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12535	“Good Heaven! can it be really so! Yet now I must believe you,” cried
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12536	Jane. “My dear, dear Lizzy, I would--I do congratulate you--but are you
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12537	certain? forgive the question--are you quite certain that you can be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12538	happy with him?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12539
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12540	“There can be no doubt of that. It is settled between us already, that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12541	we are to be the happiest couple in the world. But are you pleased,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12542	Jane? Shall you like to have such a brother?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12543
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12544	“Very, very much. Nothing could give either Bingley or myself more
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12545	delight. But we considered it, we talked of it as impossible. And do you
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12546	really love him quite well enough? Oh, Lizzy! do anything rather than
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12547	marry without affection. Are you quite sure that you feel what you ought
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12548	to do?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12549
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12550	“Oh, yes! You will only think I feel _more_ than I ought to do, when I
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12551	tell you all.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12552
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12553	“What do you mean?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12554
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12555	“Why, I must confess that I love him better than I do Bingley. I am
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12556	afraid you will be angry.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12557
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12558	“My dearest sister, now _be_ serious. I want to talk very seriously. Let
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12559	me know every thing that I am to know, without delay. Will you tell me
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12560	how long you have loved him?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12561
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12562	“It has been coming on so gradually, that I hardly know when it began.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12563	But I believe I must date it from my first seeing his beautiful grounds
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12564	at Pemberley.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12565
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12566	Another entreaty that she would be serious, however, produced the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12567	desired effect; and she soon satisfied Jane by her solemn assurances
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12568	of attachment. When convinced on that article, Miss Bennet had nothing
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12569	further to wish.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12570
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12571	“Now I am quite happy,” said she, “for you will be as happy as myself.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12572	I always had a value for him. Were it for nothing but his love of you,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12573	I must always have esteemed him; but now, as Bingley’s friend and your
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12574	husband, there can be only Bingley and yourself more dear to me. But
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12575	Lizzy, you have been very sly, very reserved with me. How little did you
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12576	tell me of what passed at Pemberley and Lambton! I owe all that I know
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12577	of it to another, not to you.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12578
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12579	Elizabeth told her the motives of her secrecy. She had been unwilling
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12580	to mention Bingley; and the unsettled state of her own feelings had made
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12581	her equally avoid the name of his friend. But now she would no longer
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12582	conceal from her his share in Lydia’s marriage. All was acknowledged,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12583	and half the night spent in conversation.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12584
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12585	* * * * *
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12586
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12587	“Good gracious!” cried Mrs. Bennet, as she stood at a window the next
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12588	morning, “if that disagreeable Mr. Darcy is not coming here again with
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12589	our dear Bingley! What can he mean by being so tiresome as to be always
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12590	coming here? I had no notion but he would go a-shooting, or something or
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12591	other, and not disturb us with his company. What shall we do with him?
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12592	Lizzy, you must walk out with him again, that he may not be in Bingley’s
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12593	way.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12594
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12595	Elizabeth could hardly help laughing at so convenient a proposal; yet
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12596	was really vexed that her mother should be always giving him such an
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12597	epithet.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12598
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12599	As soon as they entered, Bingley looked at her so expressively, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12600	shook hands with such warmth, as left no doubt of his good information;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12601	and he soon afterwards said aloud, “Mrs. Bennet, have you no more lanes
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12602	hereabouts in which Lizzy may lose her way again to-day?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12603
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12604	“I advise Mr. Darcy, and Lizzy, and Kitty,” said Mrs. Bennet, “to walk
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12605	to Oakham Mount this morning. It is a nice long walk, and Mr. Darcy has
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12606	never seen the view.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12607
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12608	“It may do very well for the others,” replied Mr. Bingley; “but I am
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12609	sure it will be too much for Kitty. Won’t it, Kitty?” Kitty owned that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12610	she had rather stay at home. Darcy professed a great curiosity to see
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12611	the view from the Mount, and Elizabeth silently consented. As she went
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12612	up stairs to get ready, Mrs. Bennet followed her, saying:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12613
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12614	“I am quite sorry, Lizzy, that you should be forced to have that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12615	disagreeable man all to yourself. But I hope you will not mind it: it is
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12616	all for Jane’s sake, you know; and there is no occasion for talking
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12617	to him, except just now and then. So, do not put yourself to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12618	inconvenience.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12619
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12620	During their walk, it was resolved that Mr. Bennet’s consent should be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12621	asked in the course of the evening. Elizabeth reserved to herself the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12622	application for her mother’s. She could not determine how her mother
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12623	would take it; sometimes doubting whether all his wealth and grandeur
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12624	would be enough to overcome her abhorrence of the man. But whether she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12625	were violently set against the match, or violently delighted with it, it
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12626	was certain that her manner would be equally ill adapted to do credit
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12627	to her sense; and she could no more bear that Mr. Darcy should hear
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12628	the first raptures of her joy, than the first vehemence of her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12629	disapprobation.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12630
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12631	* * * * *
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12632
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12633	In the evening, soon after Mr. Bennet withdrew to the library, she saw
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12634	Mr. Darcy rise also and follow him, and her agitation on seeing it was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12635	extreme. She did not fear her father’s opposition, but he was going to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12636	be made unhappy; and that it should be through her means--that _she_,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12637	his favourite child, should be distressing him by her choice, should be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12638	filling him with fears and regrets in disposing of her--was a wretched
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12639	reflection, and she sat in misery till Mr. Darcy appeared again, when,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12640	looking at him, she was a little relieved by his smile. In a few minutes
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12641	he approached the table where she was sitting with Kitty; and, while
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12642	pretending to admire her work said in a whisper, “Go to your father, he
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12643	wants you in the library.” She was gone directly.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12644
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12645	Her father was walking about the room, looking grave and anxious.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12646	“Lizzy,” said he, “what are you doing? Are you out of your senses, to be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12647	accepting this man? Have not you always hated him?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12648
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12649	How earnestly did she then wish that her former opinions had been more
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12650	reasonable, her expressions more moderate! It would have spared her from
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12651	explanations and professions which it was exceedingly awkward to give;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12652	but they were now necessary, and she assured him, with some confusion,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12653	of her attachment to Mr. Darcy.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12654
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12655	“Or, in other words, you are determined to have him. He is rich, to be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12656	sure, and you may have more fine clothes and fine carriages than Jane.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12657	But will they make you happy?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12658
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12659	“Have you any other objection,” said Elizabeth, “than your belief of my
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12660	indifference?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12661
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12662	“None at all. We all know him to be a proud, unpleasant sort of man; but
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12663	this would be nothing if you really liked him.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12664
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12665	“I do, I do like him,” she replied, with tears in her eyes, “I love him.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12666	Indeed he has no improper pride. He is perfectly amiable. You do not
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12667	know what he really is; then pray do not pain me by speaking of him in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12668	such terms.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12669
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12670	“Lizzy,” said her father, “I have given him my consent. He is the kind
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12671	of man, indeed, to whom I should never dare refuse anything, which he
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12672	condescended to ask. I now give it to _you_, if you are resolved on
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12673	having him. But let me advise you to think better of it. I know
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12674	your disposition, Lizzy. I know that you could be neither happy nor
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12675	respectable, unless you truly esteemed your husband; unless you looked
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12676	up to him as a superior. Your lively talents would place you in the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12677	greatest danger in an unequal marriage. You could scarcely escape
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12678	discredit and misery. My child, let me not have the grief of seeing
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12679	_you_ unable to respect your partner in life. You know not what you are
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12680	about.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12681
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12682	Elizabeth, still more affected, was earnest and solemn in her reply; and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12683	at length, by repeated assurances that Mr. Darcy was really the object
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12684	of her choice, by explaining the gradual change which her estimation of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12685	him had undergone, relating her absolute certainty that his affection
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12686	was not the work of a day, but had stood the test of many months’
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12687	suspense, and enumerating with energy all his good qualities, she did
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12688	conquer her father’s incredulity, and reconcile him to the match.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12689
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12690	“Well, my dear,” said he, when she ceased speaking, “I have no more to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12691	say. If this be the case, he deserves you. I could not have parted with
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12692	you, my Lizzy, to anyone less worthy.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12693
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12694	To complete the favourable impression, she then told him what Mr. Darcy
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12695	had voluntarily done for Lydia. He heard her with astonishment.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12696
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12697	“This is an evening of wonders, indeed! And so, Darcy did every thing;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12698	made up the match, gave the money, paid the fellow’s debts, and got him
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12699	his commission! So much the better. It will save me a world of trouble
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12700	and economy. Had it been your uncle’s doing, I must and _would_ have
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12701	paid him; but these violent young lovers carry every thing their own
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12702	way. I shall offer to pay him to-morrow; he will rant and storm about
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12703	his love for you, and there will be an end of the matter.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12704
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12705	He then recollected her embarrassment a few days before, on his reading
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12706	Mr. Collins’s letter; and after laughing at her some time, allowed her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12707	at last to go--saying, as she quitted the room, “If any young men come
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12708	for Mary or Kitty, send them in, for I am quite at leisure.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12709
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12710	Elizabeth’s mind was now relieved from a very heavy weight; and, after
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12711	half an hour’s quiet reflection in her own room, she was able to join
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12712	the others with tolerable composure. Every thing was too recent for
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12713	gaiety, but the evening passed tranquilly away; there was no longer
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12714	anything material to be dreaded, and the comfort of ease and familiarity
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12715	would come in time.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12716
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12717	When her mother went up to her dressing-room at night, she followed her,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12718	and made the important communication. Its effect was most extraordinary;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12719	for on first hearing it, Mrs. Bennet sat quite still, and unable to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12720	utter a syllable. Nor was it under many, many minutes that she could
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12721	comprehend what she heard; though not in general backward to credit
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12722	what was for the advantage of her family, or that came in the shape of a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12723	lover to any of them. She began at length to recover, to fidget about in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12724	her chair, get up, sit down again, wonder, and bless herself.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12725
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12726	“Good gracious! Lord bless me! only think! dear me! Mr. Darcy! Who would
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12727	have thought it! And is it really true? Oh! my sweetest Lizzy! how rich
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12728	and how great you will be! What pin-money, what jewels, what carriages
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12729	you will have! Jane’s is nothing to it--nothing at all. I am so
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12730	pleased--so happy. Such a charming man!--so handsome! so tall!--Oh, my
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12731	dear Lizzy! pray apologise for my having disliked him so much before. I
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12732	hope he will overlook it. Dear, dear Lizzy. A house in town! Every thing
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12733	that is charming! Three daughters married! Ten thousand a year! Oh,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12734	Lord! What will become of me. I shall go distracted.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12735
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12736	This was enough to prove that her approbation need not be doubted: and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12737	Elizabeth, rejoicing that such an effusion was heard only by herself,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12738	soon went away. But before she had been three minutes in her own room,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12739	her mother followed her.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12740
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12741	“My dearest child,” she cried, “I can think of nothing else! Ten
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12742	thousand a year, and very likely more! ‘Tis as good as a Lord! And a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12743	special licence. You must and shall be married by a special licence. But
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12744	my dearest love, tell me what dish Mr. Darcy is particularly fond of,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12745	that I may have it to-morrow.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12746
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12747	This was a sad omen of what her mother’s behaviour to the gentleman
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12748	himself might be; and Elizabeth found that, though in the certain
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12749	possession of his warmest affection, and secure of her relations’
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12750	consent, there was still something to be wished for. But the morrow
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12751	passed off much better than she expected; for Mrs. Bennet luckily stood
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12752	in such awe of her intended son-in-law that she ventured not to speak to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12753	him, unless it was in her power to offer him any attention, or mark her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12754	deference for his opinion.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12755
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12756	Elizabeth had the satisfaction of seeing her father taking pains to get
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12757	acquainted with him; and Mr. Bennet soon assured her that he was rising
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12758	every hour in his esteem.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12759
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12760	“I admire all my three sons-in-law highly,” said he. “Wickham, perhaps,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12761	is my favourite; but I think I shall like _your_ husband quite as well
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12762	as Jane’s.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12763
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12764
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12765
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12766	Chapter 60
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12767
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12768
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12769	Elizabeth’s spirits soon rising to playfulness again, she wanted Mr.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12770	Darcy to account for his having ever fallen in love with her. “How could
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12771	you begin?” said she. “I can comprehend your going on charmingly, when
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12772	you had once made a beginning; but what could set you off in the first
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12773	place?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12774
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12775	“I cannot fix on the hour, or the spot, or the look, or the words, which
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12776	laid the foundation. It is too long ago. I was in the middle before I
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12777	knew that I _had_ begun.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12778
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12779	“My beauty you had early withstood, and as for my manners--my behaviour
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12780	to _you_ was at least always bordering on the uncivil, and I never spoke
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12781	to you without rather wishing to give you pain than not. Now be sincere;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12782	did you admire me for my impertinence?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12783
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12784	“For the liveliness of your mind, I did.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12785
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12786	“You may as well call it impertinence at once. It was very little less.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12787	The fact is, that you were sick of civility, of deference, of officious
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12788	attention. You were disgusted with the women who were always speaking,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12789	and looking, and thinking for _your_ approbation alone. I roused, and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12790	interested you, because I was so unlike _them_. Had you not been really
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12791	amiable, you would have hated me for it; but in spite of the pains you
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12792	took to disguise yourself, your feelings were always noble and just; and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12793	in your heart, you thoroughly despised the persons who so assiduously
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12794	courted you. There--I have saved you the trouble of accounting for
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12795	it; and really, all things considered, I begin to think it perfectly
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12796	reasonable. To be sure, you knew no actual good of me--but nobody thinks
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12797	of _that_ when they fall in love.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12798
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12799	“Was there no good in your affectionate behaviour to Jane while she was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12800	ill at Netherfield?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12801
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12802	“Dearest Jane! who could have done less for her? But make a virtue of it
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12803	by all means. My good qualities are under your protection, and you are
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12804	to exaggerate them as much as possible; and, in return, it belongs to me
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12805	to find occasions for teasing and quarrelling with you as often as may
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12806	be; and I shall begin directly by asking you what made you so unwilling
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12807	to come to the point at last. What made you so shy of me, when you first
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12808	called, and afterwards dined here? Why, especially, when you called, did
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12809	you look as if you did not care about me?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12810
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12811	“Because you were grave and silent, and gave me no encouragement.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12812
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12813	“But I was embarrassed.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12814
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12815	“And so was I.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12816
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12817	“You might have talked to me more when you came to dinner.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12818
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12819	“A man who had felt less, might.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12820
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12821	“How unlucky that you should have a reasonable answer to give, and that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12822	I should be so reasonable as to admit it! But I wonder how long you
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12823	_would_ have gone on, if you had been left to yourself. I wonder when
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12824	you _would_ have spoken, if I had not asked you! My resolution of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12825	thanking you for your kindness to Lydia had certainly great effect.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12826	_Too much_, I am afraid; for what becomes of the moral, if our comfort
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12827	springs from a breach of promise? for I ought not to have mentioned the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12828	subject. This will never do.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12829
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12830	“You need not distress yourself. The moral will be perfectly fair. Lady
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12831	Catherine’s unjustifiable endeavours to separate us were the means of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12832	removing all my doubts. I am not indebted for my present happiness to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12833	your eager desire of expressing your gratitude. I was not in a humour
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12834	to wait for any opening of yours. My aunt’s intelligence had given me
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12835	hope, and I was determined at once to know every thing.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12836
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12837	“Lady Catherine has been of infinite use, which ought to make her happy,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12838	for she loves to be of use. But tell me, what did you come down to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12839	Netherfield for? Was it merely to ride to Longbourn and be embarrassed?
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12840	or had you intended any more serious consequence?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12841
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12842	“My real purpose was to see _you_, and to judge, if I could, whether I
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12843	might ever hope to make you love me. My avowed one, or what I avowed to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12844	myself, was to see whether your sister were still partial to Bingley,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12845	and if she were, to make the confession to him which I have since made.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12846
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12847	“Shall you ever have courage to announce to Lady Catherine what is to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12848	befall her?”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12849
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12850	“I am more likely to want more time than courage, Elizabeth. But it
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12851	ought to be done, and if you will give me a sheet of paper, it shall be
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12852	done directly.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12853
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12854	“And if I had not a letter to write myself, I might sit by you and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12855	admire the evenness of your writing, as another young lady once did. But
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12856	I have an aunt, too, who must not be longer neglected.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12857
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12858	From an unwillingness to confess how much her intimacy with Mr. Darcy
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12859	had been over-rated, Elizabeth had never yet answered Mrs. Gardiner’s
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12860	long letter; but now, having _that_ to communicate which she knew would
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12861	be most welcome, she was almost ashamed to find that her uncle and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12862	aunt had already lost three days of happiness, and immediately wrote as
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12863	follows:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12864
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12865	“I would have thanked you before, my dear aunt, as I ought to have done,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12866	for your long, kind, satisfactory, detail of particulars; but to say the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12867	truth, I was too cross to write. You supposed more than really existed.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12868	But _now_ suppose as much as you choose; give a loose rein to your
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12869	fancy, indulge your imagination in every possible flight which the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12870	subject will afford, and unless you believe me actually married, you
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12871	cannot greatly err. You must write again very soon, and praise him a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12872	great deal more than you did in your last. I thank you, again and again,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12873	for not going to the Lakes. How could I be so silly as to wish it! Your
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12874	idea of the ponies is delightful. We will go round the Park every day. I
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12875	am the happiest creature in the world. Perhaps other people have said so
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12876	before, but not one with such justice. I am happier even than Jane; she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12877	only smiles, I laugh. Mr. Darcy sends you all the love in the world that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12878	he can spare from me. You are all to come to Pemberley at Christmas.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12879	Yours, etc.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12880
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12881	Mr. Darcy’s letter to Lady Catherine was in a different style; and still
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12882	different from either was what Mr. Bennet sent to Mr. Collins, in reply
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12883	to his last.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12884
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12885	“DEAR SIR,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12886
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12887	“I must trouble you once more for congratulations. Elizabeth will soon
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12888	be the wife of Mr. Darcy. Console Lady Catherine as well as you can.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12889	But, if I were you, I would stand by the nephew. He has more to give.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12890
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12891	“Yours sincerely, etc.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12892
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12893	Miss Bingley’s congratulations to her brother, on his approaching
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12894	marriage, were all that was affectionate and insincere. She wrote even
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12895	to Jane on the occasion, to express her delight, and repeat all her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12896	former professions of regard. Jane was not deceived, but she was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12897	affected; and though feeling no reliance on her, could not help writing
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12898	her a much kinder answer than she knew was deserved.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12899
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12900	The joy which Miss Darcy expressed on receiving similar information,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12901	was as sincere as her brother’s in sending it. Four sides of paper were
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12902	insufficient to contain all her delight, and all her earnest desire of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12903	being loved by her sister.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12904
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12905	Before any answer could arrive from Mr. Collins, or any congratulations
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12906	to Elizabeth from his wife, the Longbourn family heard that the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12907	Collinses were come themselves to Lucas Lodge. The reason of this
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12908	sudden removal was soon evident. Lady Catherine had been rendered
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12909	so exceedingly angry by the contents of her nephew’s letter, that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12910	Charlotte, really rejoicing in the match, was anxious to get away till
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12911	the storm was blown over. At such a moment, the arrival of her friend
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12912	was a sincere pleasure to Elizabeth, though in the course of their
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12913	meetings she must sometimes think the pleasure dearly bought, when she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12914	saw Mr. Darcy exposed to all the parading and obsequious civility of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12915	her husband. He bore it, however, with admirable calmness. He could even
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12916	listen to Sir William Lucas, when he complimented him on carrying away
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12917	the brightest jewel of the country, and expressed his hopes of their all
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12918	meeting frequently at St. James’s, with very decent composure. If he did
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12919	shrug his shoulders, it was not till Sir William was out of sight.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12920
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12921	Mrs. Phillips’s vulgarity was another, and perhaps a greater, tax on his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12922	forbearance; and though Mrs. Phillips, as well as her sister, stood in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12923	too much awe of him to speak with the familiarity which Bingley’s good
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12924	humour encouraged, yet, whenever she _did_ speak, she must be vulgar.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12925	Nor was her respect for him, though it made her more quiet, at all
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12926	likely to make her more elegant. Elizabeth did all she could to shield
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12927	him from the frequent notice of either, and was ever anxious to keep
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12928	him to herself, and to those of her family with whom he might converse
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12929	without mortification; and though the uncomfortable feelings arising
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12930	from all this took from the season of courtship much of its pleasure, it
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12931	added to the hope of the future; and she looked forward with delight to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12932	the time when they should be removed from society so little pleasing
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12933	to either, to all the comfort and elegance of their family party at
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12934	Pemberley.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12935
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12936
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12937
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12938	Chapter 61
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12939
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12940
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12941	Happy for all her maternal feelings was the day on which Mrs. Bennet got
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12942	rid of her two most deserving daughters. With what delighted pride
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12943	she afterwards visited Mrs. Bingley, and talked of Mrs. Darcy, may
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12944	be guessed. I wish I could say, for the sake of her family, that the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12945	accomplishment of her earnest desire in the establishment of so many
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12946	of her children produced so happy an effect as to make her a sensible,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12947	amiable, well-informed woman for the rest of her life; though perhaps it
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12948	was lucky for her husband, who might not have relished domestic felicity
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12949	in so unusual a form, that she still was occasionally nervous and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12950	invariably silly.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12951
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12952	Mr. Bennet missed his second daughter exceedingly; his affection for her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12953	drew him oftener from home than anything else could do. He delighted in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12954	going to Pemberley, especially when he was least expected.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12955
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12956	Mr. Bingley and Jane remained at Netherfield only a twelvemonth. So near
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12957	a vicinity to her mother and Meryton relations was not desirable even to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12958	_his_ easy temper, or _her_ affectionate heart. The darling wish of his
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12959	sisters was then gratified; he bought an estate in a neighbouring county
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12960	to Derbyshire, and Jane and Elizabeth, in addition to every other source
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12961	of happiness, were within thirty miles of each other.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12962
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12963	Kitty, to her very material advantage, spent the chief of her time with
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12964	her two elder sisters. In society so superior to what she had generally
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12965	known, her improvement was great. She was not of so ungovernable a
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12966	temper as Lydia; and, removed from the influence of Lydia’s example,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12967	she became, by proper attention and management, less irritable, less
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12968	ignorant, and less insipid. From the further disadvantage of Lydia’s
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12969	society she was of course carefully kept, and though Mrs. Wickham
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12970	frequently invited her to come and stay with her, with the promise of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12971	balls and young men, her father would never consent to her going.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12972
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12973	Mary was the only daughter who remained at home; and she was necessarily
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12974	drawn from the pursuit of accomplishments by Mrs. Bennet’s being quite
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12975	unable to sit alone. Mary was obliged to mix more with the world, but
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12976	she could still moralize over every morning visit; and as she was no
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12977	longer mortified by comparisons between her sisters’ beauty and her own,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12978	it was suspected by her father that she submitted to the change without
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12979	much reluctance.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12980
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12981	As for Wickham and Lydia, their characters suffered no revolution from
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12982	the marriage of her sisters. He bore with philosophy the conviction that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12983	Elizabeth must now become acquainted with whatever of his ingratitude
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12984	and falsehood had before been unknown to her; and in spite of every
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12985	thing, was not wholly without hope that Darcy might yet be prevailed on
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12986	to make his fortune. The congratulatory letter which Elizabeth received
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12987	from Lydia on her marriage, explained to her that, by his wife at least,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12988	if not by himself, such a hope was cherished. The letter was to this
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12989	effect:
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12990
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12991	“MY DEAR LIZZY,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12992
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12993	“I wish you joy. If you love Mr. Darcy half as well as I do my dear
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12994	Wickham, you must be very happy. It is a great comfort to have you so
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12995	rich, and when you have nothing else to do, I hope you will think of us.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12996	I am sure Wickham would like a place at court very much, and I do not
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12997	think we shall have quite money enough to live upon without some help.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12998	Any place would do, of about three or four hundred a year; but however,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	12999	do not speak to Mr. Darcy about it, if you had rather not.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	13000
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	13001	“Yours, etc.”
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	13002
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	13003	As it happened that Elizabeth had _much_ rather not, she endeavoured in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	13004	her answer to put an end to every entreaty and expectation of the kind.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	13005	Such relief, however, as it was in her power to afford, by the practice
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	13006	of what might be called economy in her own private expences, she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	13007	frequently sent them. It had always been evident to her that such an
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	13008	income as theirs, under the direction of two persons so extravagant in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	13009	their wants, and heedless of the future, must be very insufficient to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	13010	their support; and whenever they changed their quarters, either Jane or
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	13011	herself were sure of being applied to for some little assistance
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	13012	towards discharging their bills. Their manner of living, even when the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	13013	restoration of peace dismissed them to a home, was unsettled in the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	13014	extreme. They were always moving from place to place in quest of a cheap
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	13015	situation, and always spending more than they ought. His affection for
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	13016	her soon sunk into indifference; hers lasted a little longer; and
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	13017	in spite of her youth and her manners, she retained all the claims to
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	13018	reputation which her marriage had given her.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	13019
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	13020	Though Darcy could never receive _him_ at Pemberley, yet, for
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	13021	Elizabeth’s sake, he assisted him further in his profession. Lydia was
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	13022	occasionally a visitor there, when her husband was gone to enjoy himself
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	13023	in London or Bath; and with the Bingleys they both of them frequently
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	13024	staid so long, that even Bingley’s good humour was overcome, and he
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	13025	proceeded so far as to talk of giving them a hint to be gone.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	13026
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	13027	Miss Bingley was very deeply mortified by Darcy’s marriage; but as she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	13028	thought it advisable to retain the right of visiting at Pemberley, she
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	13029	dropt all her resentment; was fonder than ever of Georgiana, almost as
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	13030	attentive to Darcy as heretofore, and paid off every arrear of civility
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	13031	to Elizabeth.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	13032
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	13033	Pemberley was now Georgiana’s home; and the attachment of the sisters
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	13034	was exactly what Darcy had hoped to see. They were able to love each
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	13035	other even as well as they intended. Georgiana had the highest opinion
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	13036	in the world of Elizabeth; though at first she often listened with
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	13037	an astonishment bordering on alarm at her lively, sportive, manner of
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	13038	talking to her brother. He, who had always inspired in herself a respect
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	13039	which almost overcame her affection, she now saw the object of open
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	13040	pleasantry. Her mind received knowledge which had never before fallen
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	13041	in her way. By Elizabeth’s instructions, she began to comprehend that
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	13042	a woman may take liberties with her husband which a brother will not
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	13043	always allow in a sister more than ten years younger than himself.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	13044
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	13045	Lady Catherine was extremely indignant on the marriage of her nephew;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	13046	and as she gave way to all the genuine frankness of her character in
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	13047	her reply to the letter which announced its arrangement, she sent him
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	13048	language so very abusive, especially of Elizabeth, that for some time
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	13049	all intercourse was at an end. But at length, by Elizabeth’s persuasion,
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	13050	he was prevailed on to overlook the offence, and seek a reconciliation;
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	13051	and, after a little further resistance on the part of his aunt, her
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	13052	resentment gave way, either to her affection for him, or her curiosity
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	13053	to see how his wife conducted herself; and she condescended to wait
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	13054	on them at Pemberley, in spite of that pollution which its woods had
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	13055	received, not merely from the presence of such a mistress, but the
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	13056	visits of her uncle and aunt from the city.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	13057
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	13058	With the Gardiners, they were always on the most intimate terms.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	13059	Darcy, as well as Elizabeth, really loved them; and they were both ever
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	13060	sensible of the warmest gratitude towards the persons who, by bringing
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	13061	her into Derbyshire, had been the means of uniting them.
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	13062
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	13063
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	13064
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	13065
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	13066
maygup01	0:11cc2b7889af	13067	End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen
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Type:	Program
Mbed OS support:	Mbed OS
Created:	19 Nov 2019
Imports:	1
Forks:	0
Commits:	1
Dependents:	0
Dependencies:	2
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simple-mbed-cloud-client/TESTS/COMMON/elizabeth.txt@0:11cc2b7889af, 2019-11-19 (annotated)

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