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The officer was the very Mr。 Denny； concerning whose return from
London Lydia came to inquire； and he bowed as they passed。 All
were struck with the stranger’s air； all wondered who he could be；
and Kitty and Lydia； determined if possible to find out； led the way
across the street； under pretence of wanting something in an
opposite shop； and fortunately had just gained the pavement when
the two gentlemen turning back had reached the same spot。 Mr。
Denny addressed them directly； and entreated permission to
introduce his friend； Mr。 Wickham； who had returned with him the
day before from town； and he was happy to say had accepted a
commission in their corps。 This was exactly as it should be； for the
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young man wanted only regimentals to make him completely
charming。 His appearance was greatly in his favour； he had all the
best part of beauty； a fine countenance； a good figure； and very
pleasing address。 The introduction was followed up on his side by
a happy readiness of conversation—a readiness at the same time
perfectly correct and unassuming； and the whole party were still
standing and talking together very agreeably； when the sound of
horses drew their notice； and Darcy and Bingley were seen riding
down the street。 On distinguishing the ladies of the group； the two
gentlemen came directly towards them； and began the usual
civilities。 Bingley was the principal spokesman； and Miss Bennet
the principal object。 He was then； he said； on his way to Longbourn
on purpose to inquire after her。 Mr。 Darcy corroborated it with a
bow； and was beginning to determine not to fix his eyes on
Elizabeth； when they were suddenly arrested by the sight of the
stranger； and Elizabeth happening to see the countenance of both
as they looked at each other； was all astonishment at the effect of
the meeting。 Both changed colour； one looked white； the other red。
Mr。 Wickham； after a few moments； touched his hat—a salutation
which Mr。 Darcy just deigned to return。 What could be the
meaning of it？—It was impossible to imagine； it was impossible not
to long to know。
In another minute Mr。 Bingley； but without seeming to have
noticed what passed； took leave and rode on with his friend。
Mr。 Denny and Mr。 Wickham walked with the young ladies to
the door of Mr。 Philips’s house； and then made their bows； in spite
of Miss Lydia’s pressing entreaties that they would come in； and
even in spite of Mrs。 Philips’ throwing up the parlour window； and
loudly seconding the invitation。
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Mrs。 Philips was always glad to see her nieces； and the two
eldest； from their recent absence； were particularly welcome； and
she was eagerly expressing her surprise at their sudden return
home； which； as their own carriage had not fetched them； she
should have known nothing about； if she had not happened to see
Mr。 Jones’s shop boy in the street； who had told her that they were
not to send any more draughts to Netherfield because the Miss
Bennets were come away； when her civility was claimed towards
Mr。 Collins by Jane’s introduction of him。 She received him with
her very best politeness； which he returned with as much more；
apologising for his intrusion； without any previous acquaintance
with her； which he could not help flattering himself however might
be justified by his relationship to the young ladies who introduced
him to her notice。 Mrs。 Philips was quite awed by such an excess of
good breeding； but her contemplation of one stranger was soon put
an end to by exclamations and inquiries about the other； of whom；
however； she could only tell her nieces what they already knew；
that Mr。 Denny had brought him from London； and that he was to
have a lieutenant’s commission in the —shire。 She had been
watching him the last hour； she said； as he walked up and down
the street； and had Mr。 Wickham appeared Kitty and Lydia would
certainly have continued the occupation； but unluckily no one
passed the windows now except a few of the officers； who in
comparison with the stranger； were become ‘stupid； disagreeable
fellows。’ Some of them were to dine with the Philipses the next
day； and their aunt promised to make her husband call on Mr。
Wickham； and give him an invitation also； if the family from
Longbourn would come in the evening。 This was agreed to； and
Mrs。 Philips protested that they would have a nice comfortable
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noisy game of lottery tickets； and a little bit of hot supper
afterwards。 The prospect of such delights was very cheering； and
they parted in mutual good spirits。 Mr。 Collins repeated his
apologies in quitting the room； and was assured with unwearying
civility that they were perfectly needless。
As they walked home； Elizabeth related to Jane what she had
seen pass between the two gentlemen； but though Jane would have
defended either or both； had they appeared to be wrong； she could
no more explain such behaviour than her sister。
Mr。 Collins on his return highly gratified Mrs。 Bennet by
admiring Mrs。 Philips’s manners and politeness。 He protested that
except Lady Catherine and her daughter； he had never seen a
more elegant woman； for she had not only received him with the
utmost civility； but had even pointedly included him in her
invitation for the next evening； although utterly unknown to her
before。 Something he supposed might be attributed to his
connection with them； but yet he had never met with so much
attention in the whole course of his life。
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CHAPTER XVI
s no objection was made to the young people’s
Aengagement with their aunt； and all Mr。 Collins’s scruples
of leaving Mr。 and Mrs。 Bennet for a single evening
during his visit were most steadily resisted； the coach conveyed
him and his five cousins at a suitable hour to Meryton； and the
girls had the pleasure of hearing； as they entered the drawing…
room； that Mr。 Wickham had accepted their uncle’s invitation； and
was then in the house。
When this information was given； and they had all taken their
seats； Mr。 Collins was at leisure to look around him and admire；
and he was so much struck with the size and furniture of the
apartment； that he declared he might almost have supposed
himself in the small summer breakfast parlour at Rosings； a
comparison that did not at first convey much gratification； but
when Mrs。 Philips understood from him what Rosings was； and
who was its proprietor； when she had listened to the description of
only one of Lady Catherine’s drawing…rooms； and found that the
chimney…piece alone had cost eight hundred pounds； she felt all
the force of the compliment； and would hardly have resented a
comparison with the housekeeper’s room。
In describ