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Such were the gentle murmurs of Mrs。 Bennet； and they gave way
only to the greater distress of Mr。 Bingley’s continued absence。
Neither Jane nor Elizabeth were comfortable on this subject。
Day after day passed away without bringing any other tidings of
him than the report which shortly prevailed in Meryton of his
coming no more to Netherfield the whole winter； a report which
highly incensed Mrs。 Bennet； and which she never failed to
contradict as a most scandalous falsehood。
Even Elizabeth began to fear—not that Bingley was in…
different—but that his sisters would be successful in keeping him
away。 Unwilling as she was to admit an idea so destructive of
Jane’s happiness； and so dishonourable to the stability of her
lover； she could not prevent its frequently recurring。 The united
efforts of his two unfeeling sisters and of his overpowering friend；
assisted by the attractions of Miss Darcy and the amusements of
London； might be too much； she feared； for the strength of his
attachment。
As for Jane； her anxiety under this suspence was； of course；
more painful than Elizabeth’s； but whatever she felt she was
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desirous of concealing； and between herself and Elizabeth；
therefore； the subject was never alluded to。 But as no such
delicacy restrained her mother； an hour seldom passed in which
she did not talk of Bingley； express her impatience for his arrival；
or even require Jane to confess that if he did not come back； she
should think herself very ill used。 It needed all Jane’s steady
mildness to bear these attacks with tolerable tranquillity。
Mr。 Collins returned most punctually on the Monday fortnight；
but his reception at Longbourn was not quite so gracious as it had
been on his first introduction。 He was too happy； however； to need
much attention； and luckily for the others； the business of love…
making relieved them from a great deal of his company。 The chief
of every day was spent by him at Lucas Lodge； and he sometimes
returned to Longbourn only in time to make an apology for his
absence before the family went to bed。
Mrs。 Bennet was really in a most pitiable state。 The very
mention of any thing concerning the match threw her into an
agony of ill humour； and wherever she went she was sure of
hearing it talked of。 The sight of Miss Lucas was odious to her。 As
her successor in that house； she regarded her with jealous
abhorrence。 Whenever Charlotte came to see them she concluded
her to be anticipating the hour of possession； and whenever she
spoke in a low voice to Mr。 Collins； was convinced that they were
talking of the Longbourn estate； and resolving to turn herself and
her daughters out of the house； as soon as Mr。 Bennet were dead。
She complained bitterly of all this to her husband。
‘Indeed； Mr。 Bennet；’ said she； ‘it is very hard to think that
Charlotte Lucas should ever be mistress of this house； that I
should be forced to make way for her； and live to see her take my
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place in it！’
‘My dear； do not give way to such gloomy thoughts。 Let us hope
for better things。 Let us flatter ourselves that I may be the
survivor。’
This was not very consoling to Mrs。 Bennet； and； therefore；
instead of making any answer； she went on as before；
‘I cannot bear to think that they should have all this estate。 If it
was not for the entail I should not mind it。’
‘What should not you mind？’
‘I should not mind any thing at all。’
‘Let us be thankful that you are preserved from a state of such
insensibility。’
‘I never can be thankful； Mr。 Bennet； for any thing about the
entail。 How any one could have the conscience to entail away an
estate from one’s own daughters I cannot understand； and all for
the sake of Mr。 Collins too！—Why should he have it more than
anybody else？’
‘I leave it to yourself to determine；’ said Mr。 Bennet。
END OF VOLUME ONE
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VOLUME II
CHAPTER I
iss Bingley’s letter arrived； and put an end to doubt。
The very first sentence conveyed the assurance of their
M
being all settled in London for the winter； and
concluded with her brother’s regret at not having had time to pay
his respects to his friends in Hertfordshire before he left the
country。
Hope was over； entirely over； and when Jane could attend to
the rest of the letter； she found little； except the professed affection
of the writer； that could give her any comfort。 Miss Darcy’s praise
occupied the chief of it。 Her many attractions were again dwelt on；
and Caroline boasted joyfully of their increasing intimacy； and
ventured to predict the accomplishment of the wishes which had
been unfolded in her former letter。 She wrote also with great
pleasure of her brother’s being an inmate of Mr。 Darcy’s house；
and mentioned with raptures； some plans of the latter with regard
to new furniture。
Elizabeth； to whom Jane very soon communicated the chief of
all this； heard it in silent indignation。 Her heart was divided
between concern for her sister； and resentment against all the
others。 To Caroline’s assertion of her brother’s being partial to
Miss Darcy she paid no credit。 That he was really fond of Jane； she
doubted no more than she had ever done； and much as she had
always been disposed to like him； she could not think without
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anger； hardly without contempt； on that easiness of temper； that
want of proper resolution which now made him the slave of his
designing friends； and led him to sacrifice his own happiness to
the caprice of their inclinations。 Had his own happiness； however；
been the only sacrifice； he might have been allowed to sport with it
in what ever manner he thought best； but her sister’s was involved
in it； as she thought he must be sensible himself。 It was a subject；
in short； on which reflection would be long indulged； and must be
unavailing。 She could think of nothing else； and yet whether
Bingley’s regard had really died away； or were suppressed by his
friends’ interference； whether he had been aware of Jane’s
attachment； or whether it had escaped his observation； whichever
were the case； though her opinion of him must be materially
affected by the difference； her sister’s situation remained the
same； her peace equally wounded。
A day or two passed before Jane had courage to speak of her
feelings to Elizabeth； but at last on Mrs。 Bennet’s leaving them
together； after a longer irritation than usual about Netherfield and
its master； she could not help saying；
‘Oh！ that my dear mother had more command over herself； she
can have no idea of the pain she gives me by her continual
reflections on him。 But I will not repine。 It cannot last long。 He will
be forgot； and we shall all be as we were before。’
Elizabeth looked at her sister with incredulous solicitude； but
said nothing