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family were indebted for the first of benefits； and whom she
regarded herself with an interest； if not quite so tender； at least as
reasonable and just； as what Jane felt for Bingley。 Her
astonishment at his coming—at his coming to Netherfield； to
Longbourn； and voluntarily seeking her again； was almost equal to
what she had known on first witnessing his altered behaviour in
Derbyshire。
The colour which had been driven from her face； returned for
half a minute with an additional glow； and a smile of delight added
lustre to her eyes； as she thought for that space of time； that his
affection and wishes must still be unshaken。 But she would not be
secure。
‘Let me first see how he behaves；’ said she； ‘it will then be early
enough for expectation。’
She sat intently at work； striving to be composed； and without
daring to lift up her eyes； till anxious curiosity carried them to the
face of her sister； as the servant was approaching the door。 Jane
looked a little paler than usual； but more sedate than Elizabeth
had expected。 On the gentlemen’s appearing； her colour
increased； yet she received them with tolerable ease； and with a
propriety of behaviour equally free from any symptom of
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resentment； or any unnecessary complaisance。
Elizabeth said as little to either as civility would allow； and sat
down again to her work； with an eagerness which it did not often
command。 She had ventured only one glance at Darcy。 He looked
serious as usual； and she thought； more as he had been used to
look in Hertfordshire； than as she had seen him at Pemberley。 But；
perhaps he could not in her mother’s presence be what he was
before her uncle and aunt。 It was a painful； but not an improbable；
conjecture。
Bingley； she had likewise seen for an instant； and in that short
period saw him looking both pleased and embarrassed。 He was
received by Mrs。 Bennet with a degree of civility； which made her
two daughters ashamed； especially when contrasted with the cold
and ceremonious politeness of her curtsey and address to his
friend。
Elizabeth particularly； who knew that her mother owed to the
latter the preservation of her favourite daughter from
irremediable infamy； was hurt and distressed to a most painful
degree by a distinction so ill applied。
Darcy； after enquiring of her how Mr。 and Mrs。 Gardiner did； a
question which she could not answer without confusion； said
scarcely any thing。 He was not seated by her； perhaps that was the
reason of his silence； but it had not been so in Derbyshire。 There
he had talked to her friends； when he could not to herself。 But now
several minutes elapsed； without bringing the sound of his voice；
and when occasionally； unable to resist the impulse of curiosity；
she raised her eyes to his face； she as often found him looking at
Jane； as at herself； and frequently on no object but the ground。
More thoughtfulness； and less anxiety to please than when they
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last met； were plainly expressed。 She was disappointed； and angry
with herself for being so。
‘Could I expect it to be otherwise！’ said she。 ‘Yet why did he
come？’
She was in no humour for conversation with any one but
himself； and to him she had hardly courage to speak。
She enquired after his sister； but could do no more。
‘It is a long time； Mr。 Bingley； since you went away；’ said Mrs。
Bennet。
He readily agreed to it。
‘I began to be afraid you would never come back again。 People
did say； you meant to quit the place entirely at Michaelmas； but；
however； I hope it is not true。 A great many changes have
happened in the neighbourhood； since you went away。
Miss Lucas is married and settled。 And one of my own daugh…
ters。 I suppose you have heard of it； indeed； you must have seen it
in the papers。 It was in the Times and the Courier； I know； though
it was not put in as it ought to be。 It was only said； “Lately； George
Wickham； Esq。 to Miss Lydia Bennet；” without there being a
syllable said of her father； or the place where she lived； or any
thing。 It was my brother Gardiner’s drawing up too； and I wonder
how he came to make such an awkward business of it。 Did you see
it？’
Bingley replied that he did； and made his congratulations。
Elizabeth dared not lift up her eyes。 How Mr。 Darcy looked；
therefore； she could not tell。
‘It is a delightful thing； to be sure； to have a daughter well
married；’ continued her mother； ‘but at the same time； Mr。
Bingley； it is very hard to have her taken such a way from me。
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They are gone down to Newcastle； a place quite northward； it
seems； and there they are to stay； I do not know how long。 His
regiment is there； for I suppose you have heard of his leaving the
—shire； and of his being gone into the regulars。 Thank Heaven！ he
has some friends； though perhaps not so many as he deserves。’
Elizabeth； who knew this to be levelled at Mr。 Darcy； was in
such misery of shame； that she could hardly keep her seat。 It drew
from her； however； the exertion of speaking； which nothing else
had so effectually done before； and she asked Bingley； whether he
meant to make any stay in the country at present。 A few weeks； he
believed。
‘When you have killed all your own birds； Mr。 Bingley；’ said her
mother； ‘I beg you will come here； and shoot as many as you
please； on Mr。 Bennet’s manor。 I am sure he will be vastly happy
to oblige you； and will save all the best of the covies for you。’
Elizabeth’s misery increased； at such unnecessary； such
officious attention！ Were the same fair prospect to arise at present；
as had flattered them a year ago； every thing； she was persuaded；
would be hastening to the same vexatious conclusion。 At that
instant she felt； that years of happiness could not make Jane or
herself amends； for moments of such painful confusion。
‘The first wish of my heart；’ said she to herself； ‘is never more to
be in company with either of them。 Their society can afford no
pleasure； that will atone for such wretchedness as this！ Let me
never see either one or the other again！’
Yet the misery； for which years of happiness were to offer no
compensation； received soon afterwards material relief； from
observing how much the beauty of her sister re…kindled the
admiration of her former lover。 When first he came in； he had
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spoken to her but little； but every five minutes seemed to be giving
her more of his attention。 He found her as handsome as she had
been last year； as good…natured； and as unaffected； though not
quite so chatty。 Jane was anxious that no difference should be
perceived in her at all； and was really persuaded that she talked as
much as ever。 But her mind was so busily engaged； that she did
not always know when she was silent。
When the gentlemen rose to go away； Mrs。 Bennet was mindful
of her intended civility； and they were invited and engaged to dine
at Longbourn in a few days time。
‘You are quit