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‘My fingers；’ said Elizabeth； ‘do not move over this instrument
in the masterly manner which I see so many women’s do。 They
have not the same force or rapidity； and do not produce the same
expression。 But then I have always supposed it to be my own
fault—because I would not take the trouble of practising。 It is not
that I do not believe my fingers as capable as any other woman’s of
superior execution。’
Darcy smiled and said； ‘You are perfectly right。 You have
employed your time much better。 No one admitted to the privilege
of hearing you； can think any thing wanting。 We neither of us
perform to strangers。’
Here they were interrupted by Lady Catherine； who called out
to know what they were talking of。 Elizabeth immediately began
playing again。 Lady Catherine approached； and； after listening for
a few minutes； said to Darcy；
‘Miss Bennet would not play at all amiss； if she practised more；
and could have the advantage of a London master。 She has a very
good notion of fingering； though her taste is not equal to Anne’s。
Anne would have been a delightful performer； had her health
allowed her to learn。’
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Elizabeth looked at Darcy to see how cordially he assented to
his cousin’s praise； but neither at that moment nor at any other
could she discern any symptom of love； and from the whole of his
behaviour to Miss De Bourgh she derived this comfort for Miss
Bingley； that he might have been just as likely to marry her； had
she been his relation。
Lady Catherine continued her remarks on Elizabeth’s per…
formance； mixing with them many instructions on execution and
taste。 Elizabeth received them with all the forbearance of civility；
and at the request of the gentlemen remained at the instrument
till her Ladyship’s carriage was ready to take them all home。
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CHAPTER IX
lizabeth was sitting by herself the next morning； and
writing to Jane； while Mrs。 Collins and Maria were gone
E
on business into the village； when she was startled by a
ring at the door； the certain signal of a visitor。 As she had heard no
carriage； she thought it not unlikely to be Lady Catherine； and
under that apprehension was putting away her half…finished letter
that she might escape all impertinent questions； when the door
opened； and to her very great surprise； Mr。 Darcy； and Mr。 Darcy
only； entered the room。
He seemed astonished too on finding her alone； and apologised
for his intrusion； by letting her know that he had understood all
the ladies to be within。
They then sat down； and when her enquiries after Rosings were
made； seemed in danger of sinking into total silence。 It was
absolutely necessary； therefore； to think of something； and in this
emergence recollecting when she had seen him last in
Hertfordshire； and feeling curious to know what he would say on
the subject of their hasty departure； she observed；
‘How very suddenly you all quitted Netherfield last November；
Mr。 Darcy！ It must have been a most agreeable surprise to Mr。
Bingley to see you all after him so soon； for； if I recollect right； he
went but the day before。 He and his sisters were well； I hope；
when you left London。’
‘Perfectly so—I thank you。’
She found that she was to receive no other answer—and； after a
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short pause； added；
‘I think I have understood that Mr。 Bingley has not much idea
of ever returning to Netherfield again？’
‘I have never heard him say so； but it is probable that he may
spend very little of his time there in future。 He has many friends；
and he is at a time of life when friends and engagements are
continually increasing。’
‘If he means to be but little at Netherfield； it would be better for
the neighbourhood that he should give up the place entirely； for
then we might possibly get a settled family there。 But perhaps Mr。
Bingley did not take the house so much for the convenience of the
neighbourhood as for his own； and we must expect him to keep or
quit it on the same principle。’
‘I should not be surprised；’ said Darcy； ‘if he were to give it up；
as soon as any eligible purchase offers。’
Elizabeth made no answer。 She was afraid of talking longer of
his friend； and； having nothing else to say； was now determined to
leave the trouble of finding a subject to him。
He took the hint； and soon began with； ‘This seems a very
comfortable house。 Lady Catherine； I believe； did a great deal to it
when Mr。 Collins first came to Hunsford。’
‘I believe she did—and I am sure she could not have bestowed
her kindness on a more grateful object。’
‘Mr。 Collins appears very fortunate in his choice of a wife。’
‘Yes； indeed； his friends may well rejoice in his having met with
one of the very few sensible women who would have accepted him；
or have made him happy if they had。 My friend has an excellent
understanding—though I am not certain that I consider her
marrying Mr。 Collins as the wisest thing she ever did。 She seems
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perfectly happy； however； and in a prudential light； it is certainly a
very good match for her。’
‘It must be very agreeable to her to be settled within so easy a
distance of her own family and friends。’
‘An easy distance do you call it？ It is nearly fifty miles。’
‘And what is fifty miles of good road？ Little more than half a
day’s journey。 Yes； I call it a very easy distance。’
‘I should never have considered the distance as one of the
advantages of the match；’ cried Elizabeth。 ‘I should never have
said Mrs。 Collins was settled near her family。’
‘It is a proof of your own attachment to Hertfordshire。 Any
thing beyond the very neighbourhood of Longbourn； I suppose；
would appear far。’
As he spoke there was a sort of smile； which Elizabeth fancied
she understood； he must be supposing her to be thinking of Jane
and Netherfield； and she blushed as she answered；
‘I do not mean to say that a woman may not be settled too near
her family。 The far and the near must be relative； and depend on
many varying circumstances。 Where there is fortune to make the
expence of travelling unimportant； distance becomes no evil。 But
that is not the case here。 Mr。 and Mrs。 Collins have a comfortable
income； but not such a one as will allow of frequent journeys—and
I am persuaded my friend would not call herself near her family
under less than half the present distance。’
Mr。 Darcy drew his chair a little towards her； and said； ‘You
cannot have a right to such very strong local attachment。 You
cannot have been always at Longbourn。’
Elizabeth looked surprised。 The gentleman experienced some
change of feeling； he drew back his chair； took a newspaper from
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the table； and； glancing over it； said； in a colder voice；
‘Are you pleased with Kent？’
A short dialogue on the subject of the country ensued； on either
side calm and concise—and soon put an end to by the entrance of
Charlotte and her sister； just returned from their walk。 The tête…à…
tête surprised them。 Mr。 Darcy related the mistake which had
occasioned his intruding on Miss