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unembarrassed an observer as ever Mr。 Darcy had been； was
much relieved by discerning such different feelings。
They had not been long together； before Darcy told her that
Bingley was also coming to wait on her； and she had barely time to
express her satisfaction； and prepare for such a visitor； when
Bingley’s quick step was heard on the stairs； and in a moment he
entered the room。 All Elizabeth’s anger against him had been long
done away； but； had she still felt any； it could hardly have stood its
ground against the unaffected cordiality with which he expressed
himself； on seeing her again。 He enquired in a friendly； though
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general way； after her family； and looked and spoke with the same
good…humoured ease that he had ever done。
To Mr。 and Mrs。 Gardiner he was scarcely a less interesting
personage than to herself。 They had long wished to see him。 The
whole party before them； indeed； excited a lively attention。 The
suspicions which had just arisen of Mr。 Darcy and their niece；
directed their observation towards each with an earnest； though
guarded； enquiry； and they soon drew from those enquiries the
full conviction that one of them at least knew what it was to love。
Of the lady’s sensations they remained a little in doubt； but that
the gentleman was overflowing with admiration was evident
enough。
Elizabeth； on her side； had much to do。 She wanted to ascertain
the feelings of each of her visitors； she wanted to compose her
own； and to make herself agreeable to all； and in the latter object；
where she feared most to fail； she was most sure of success； for
those to whom she endeavoured to give pleasure were
prepossessed in her favour。 Bingley was ready； Georgiana was
eager； and Darcy determined； to be pleased。
In seeing Bingley； her thoughts naturally flew to her sister； and
oh！ how ardently did she long to know； whether any of his were
directed in a like manner。 Sometimes she could fancy； that he
talked less than on former occasions； and once or twice pleased
herself with the notion that as he looked at her； he was trying to
trace a resemblance。 But； though this might be imaginary； she
could not be deceived as to his behaviour to Miss Darcy； who had
been set up as a rival of Jane。 No look appeared on either side that
spoke particular regard。 Nothing occurred between them that
could justify the hopes of his sister。 On this point she was soon
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satisfied： and two or three little circumstances occurred ere they
parted； which； in her anxious interpretation； denoted a
recollection of Jane； not untinctured by tenderness； and a wish of
saying more that might lead to the mention of her； had he dared。
He observed to her； at a moment when the others were talking
together； and in a tone which had something of real regret； that it
‘was a very long time since he had had the pleasure of seeing her；’
and； before she could reply； he added； ‘It is above eight months。
We have not met since the 26th of November； when we were all
dancing together at Netherfield。’
Elizabeth was pleased to find his memory so exact； and he
afterwards took occasion to ask her； when unattended to by any of
the rest； whether all her sisters were at Longbourn。 There was not
much in the question； nor in the preceding remark； but there was
a look and a manner which gave them meaning。
It was not often that she could turn her eyes on Mr。 Darcy
himself； but； whenever she did catch a glimpse； she saw an
expression of general complaisance； and in all that he said； she
heard an accent so far removed from hauteur or disdain of his
companions； as convinced her that the improvement of manners
which she had yesterday witnessed； however temporary its
existence might prove； had at least outlived one day。 When she
saw him thus seeking the acquaintance； and courting the good
opinion of people with whom any intercourse a few months ago
would have been a disgrace； when she saw him thus civil； not only
to herself； but to the very relations whom he had openly disdained；
and recollected their last lively scene in Hunsford Parsonage； the
difference； the change was so great； and struck so forcibly on her
mind； that she could hardly restrain her astonishment from being
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visible。 Never； even in the company of his dear friends at
Netherfield； or his dignified relations at Rosings； had she seen him
so desirous to please； so free from self…consequence； or unbending
reserve as now； when no importance could result from the success
of his endeavours； and when even the acquaintance of those to
whom his attentions were addressed； would draw down the
ridicule and censure of the ladies both of Netherfield and Rosings。
Their visitors staid with them above half an hour； and when
they arose to depart； Mr。 Darcy called on his sister to join him in
expressing their wish of seeing Mr。 and Mrs。 Gardiner； and Miss
Bennet； to dinner at Pemberley； before they left the country。 Miss
Darcy； though with a diffidence which marked her little in the
habit of giving invitations； readily obeyed。 Mrs。 Gardiner looked at
her niece； desirous of knowing how she； whom the invitation most
concerned； felt disposed as to its acceptance； but Elizabeth had
turned away her head。 Presuming； however； that this studied
avoidance spoke rather a momentary embarrassment； than any
dislike of the proposal； and seeing in her husband； who was fond
of society； a perfect willingness to accept it； she ventured to
engage for her attendance； and the day after the next was fixed on。
Bingley expressed great pleasure in the certainty of seeing
Elizabeth again； having still a great deal to say to her； and many
enquiries to make after all their Hertfordshire friends。 Elizabeth；
construing all this into a wish of hearing her speak of her sister；
was pleased； and on this account； as well as some others； found
herself； when their visitors left them； capable of considering the
last half hour with some satisfaction； though while it was passing；
the enjoyment of it had been little。 Eager to be alone； and fearful of
enquiries or hints from her uncle and aunt； she staid with them
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only long enough to hear their favourable opinion of Bingley； and
then hurried away to dress。
But she had no reason to fear Mr。 and Mrs。 Gardiner’s
curiosity； it was not their wish to force her communication。 It was
evident that she was much better acquainted with Mr。 Darcy than
they had before any idea of； it was evident that he was very much
in love with her。 They saw much to interest； but nothing to justify
enquiry。
Of Mr。 Darcy it was now a matter of anxiety to think well； and；
as far as their acquaintance reached； there was no fault to find。
They could not be untouched by his politeness； and had they
drawn his character from their own feelings； and his servant’s
report； without any reference to any other account； th