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Title:PrideandPrejudice

Author:JaneAusten

ReleaseDate:August26,2008[EBook#1342]

LastUpdated:November12,2019

Language:English

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THEREISANILLUSTRATEDEDITIONOFTHISTITLEWHICHMAYVIEWEDATEBOOK[#42671]

Pr ide and P re j u d i ce

PrideandPrejudice

2

ByJaneAusten

CONTENTS

Chapter1Chapter2Chapter3Chapter4Chapter5Chapter6Chapter7Chapter8Chapter9Chapter10Chapter11Chapter12Chapter13Chapter14Chapter15Chapter16Chapter17Chapter18Chapter19Chapter20Chapter21Chapter22

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Chapter23Chapter24Chapter25Chapter26Chapter27Chapter28Chapter29Chapter30Chapter31Chapter32Chapter33Chapter34Chapter35Chapter36Chapter37Chapter38Chapter39Chapter40Chapter41Chapter42Chapter43Chapter44Chapter45Chapter46Chapter47Chapter48Chapter49Chapter50Chapter51Chapter52Chapter53Chapter54Chapter55

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Chapter56Chapter57Chapter58Chapter59Chapter60Chapter61

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Chapter1

Itisatruthuniversallyacknowledged,thatasinglemaninpossessionofagoodfor-tune,mustbeinwantofawife.Howeverlittleknownthefeelingsorviewsofsuchamanmaybeonhisfirstenter-

inganeighbourhood,thistruthissowellfixedinthemindsofthesurroundingfami-lies,thatheisconsideredtherightfulpropertyofsomeoneorotheroftheirdaughters.“MydearMr.Bennet,”saidhisladytohimoneday,“haveyouheardthatNether-

fieldParkisletatlast?”Mr.Bennetrepliedthathehadnot.“Butitis,”returnedshe;“forMrs.Longhasjustbeenhere,andshetoldmeallabout

it.”Mr.Bennetmadenoanswer.“Doyounotwanttoknowwhohastakenit?”criedhiswifeimpatiently.“Youwanttotellme,andIhavenoobjectiontohearingit.”Thiswasinvitationenough.“Why, my dear, you must know, Mrs. Long says that Netherfield is taken by a

youngmanoflargefortunefromthenorthofEngland;thathecamedownonMondayinachaiseandfourtoseetheplace,andwassomuchdelightedwithit,thatheagreedwithMr.Morris immediately; that he is to take possession beforeMichaelmas, andsomeofhisservantsaretobeinthehousebytheendofnextweek.”“Whatishisname?”“Bingley.”“Ishemarriedorsingle?”“Oh!Single,mydear,tobesure!Asinglemanoflargefortune;fourorfivethou-

sandayear.Whatafinethingforourgirls!”“Howso?Howcanitaffectthem?”“MydearMr.Bennet,” repliedhiswife, “howcanyoube so tiresome!Youmust

knowthatIamthinkingofhismarryingoneofthem.”“Isthathisdesigninsettlinghere?”

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“Design!Nonsense,howcanyoutalkso!Butitisverylikelythathemayfallinlovewithoneofthem,andthereforeyoumustvisithimassoonashecomes.”“I see no occasion for that.You and the girlsmay go, or youmay send themby

themselves,whichperhapswillbe still better, for asyouare ashandsomeas anyofthem,Mr.Bingleymaylikeyouthebestoftheparty.”“Mydear,youflatterme.Icertainlyhavehadmyshareofbeauty,butIdonotpre-

tendtobeanythingextraordinarynow.Whenawomanhasfivegrown-updaughters,sheoughttogiveoverthinkingofherownbeauty.”“Insuchcases,awomanhasnotoftenmuchbeautytothinkof.”“But,mydear, youmust indeed go and seeMr.Bingleywhenhe comes into the

neighbourhood.”“ItismorethanIengagefor,Iassureyou.”“Butconsideryourdaughters.Onlythinkwhatanestablishmentitwouldbeforone

ofthem.SirWilliamandLadyLucasaredeterminedtogo,merelyonthataccount,foringeneral,youknow,theyvisitnonewcomers.Indeedyoumustgo,foritwillbeim-possibleforustovisithimifyoudonot.”“Youareover-scrupulous, surely. I dare sayMr.Bingleywill beveryglad to see

you;andIwillsendafewlinesbyyoutoassurehimofmyheartyconsenttohismar-ryingwhicheverhechoosesofthegirls; thoughImustthrowinagoodwordformylittleLizzy.”“Idesireyouwilldonosuchthing.Lizzyisnotabitbetterthantheothers;andIam

suresheisnothalfsohandsomeasJane,norhalfsogood-humouredasLydia.Butyouarealwaysgivingherthepreference.”“Theyhavenoneofthemmuchtorecommendthem,”repliedhe;“theyareallsilly

andignorantlikeothergirls;butLizzyhassomethingmoreofquicknessthanhersis-ters.”“Mr.Bennet,howcanyouabuseyourownchildreninsuchaway?Youtakedelight

invexingme.Youhavenocompassionformypoornerves.”“Youmistakeme,mydear.Ihaveahighrespectforyournerves.Theyaremyold

friends. Ihaveheardyoumention themwithconsideration these last twentyyearsatleast.”“Ah,youdonotknowwhatIsuffer.”“ButIhopeyouwillgetoverit,andlivetoseemanyyoungmenoffourthousanda

yearcomeintotheneighbourhood.”“Itwillbenousetous,iftwentysuchshouldcome,sinceyouwillnotvisitthem.”“Dependuponit,mydear,thatwhentherearetwenty,Iwillvisitthemall.”

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Mr. Bennet was so odd a mixture of quick parts, sarcastic humour, reserve, andcaprice,thattheexperienceofthree-and-twentyyearshadbeeninsufficienttomakehiswife understand his character. Her mind was less difficult to develop. She was awomanofmeanunderstanding,littleinformation,anduncertaintemper.Whenshewasdiscontented, she fancied herself nervous. The business of her life was to get herdaughtersmarried;itssolacewasvisitingandnews.

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Chapter2

Mr.BennetwasamongtheearliestofthosewhowaitedonMr.Bingley.Hehadal-waysintendedtovisithim,thoughtothelastalwaysassuringhiswifethatheshouldnotgo;andtilltheeveningafterthevisitwaspaidshehadnoknowledgeofit.Itwasthendisclosed in the followingmanner.Observinghis seconddaughter employed intrimmingahat,hesuddenlyaddressedherwith:“IhopeMr.Bingleywilllikeit,Lizzy.”“WearenotinawaytoknowwhatMr.Bingleylikes,”saidhermotherresentfully,

“sincewearenottovisit.”“Butyouforget,mamma,”saidElizabeth,“thatweshallmeethimattheassemblies,

andthatMrs.Longpromisedtointroducehim.”“IdonotbelieveMrs.Longwilldoanysuchthing.Shehastwoniecesofherown.

Sheisaselfish,hypocriticalwoman,andIhavenoopinionofher.”“NomorehaveI,”saidMr.Bennet;“andIamgladtofindthatyoudonotdepend

onherservingyou.”Mrs.Bennet deignednot tomake any reply, but, unable to contain herself, began

scoldingoneofherdaughters.“Don’tkeepcoughingso,Kitty,forHeaven’ssake!Havealittlecompassiononmy

nerves.Youtearthemtopieces.”“Kittyhasnodiscretioninhercoughs,”saidherfather;“shetimesthemill.”“Idonotcoughformyownamusement,”repliedKittyfretfully.“Whenisyournext

balltobe,Lizzy?”“To-morrowfortnight.”“Aye,soitis,”criedhermother,“andMrs.Longdoesnotcomebacktillthedaybe-

fore;soitwillbeimpossibleforhertointroducehim,forshewillnotknowhimher-self.”“Then,mydear,youmayhavetheadvantageofyourfriend,andintroduceMr.Bin-

gleytoher.”“Impossible,Mr.Bennet, impossible,when I amnot acquaintedwithhimmyself;

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howcanyoubesoteasing?”“I honour your circumspection.A fortnight’s acquaintance is certainly very little.

Onecannotknowwhatamanreallyisbytheendofafortnight.Butifwedonotven-ture somebody else will; and after all, Mrs. Long and her nieces must stand theirchance;and,therefore,asshewillthinkitanactofkindness,ifyoudeclinetheoffice,Iwilltakeitonmyself.”Thegirlsstaredattheirfather.Mrs.Bennetsaidonly,“Nonsense,nonsense!”“Whatcanbethemeaningof thatemphaticexclamation?”criedhe.“Doyoucon-

sidertheformsofintroduction,andthestressthatislaidonthem,asnonsense?Ican-notquiteagreewithyouthere.Whatsayyou,Mary?Foryouareayoungladyofdeepreflection,Iknow,andreadgreatbooksandmakeextracts.”Marywishedtosaysomethingsensible,butknewnothow.“WhileMaryisadjustingherideas,”hecontinued,“letusreturntoMr.Bingley.”“IamsickofMr.Bingley,”criedhiswife.“Iamsorrytohearthat;butwhydidnotyoutellmethatbefore?IfIhadknownas

muchthismorningIcertainlywouldnothavecalledonhim.Itisveryunlucky;butasIhaveactuallypaidthevisit,wecannotescapetheacquaintancenow.”Theastonishmentoftheladieswasjustwhathewished;thatofMrs.Bennetperhaps

surpassingtherest;though,whenthefirsttumultofjoywasover,shebegantodeclarethatitwaswhatshehadexpectedallthewhile.“Howgooditwasinyou,mydearMr.Bennet!ButIknewIshouldpersuadeyouat

last. Iwassureyou lovedyourgirls toowell toneglect suchanacquaintance.Well,howpleasedIam!anditissuchagoodjoke,too,thatyoushouldhavegonethismorn-ingandneversaidawordaboutittillnow.”“Now,Kitty,youmaycoughasmuchasyouchoose,”saidMr.Bennet;and,ashe

spoke,helefttheroom,fatiguedwiththerapturesofhiswife.“Whatanexcellentfatheryouhave,girls!”saidshe,whenthedoorwasshut.“Ido

notknowhowyouwillevermakehimamendsforhiskindness;orme,either,forthatmatter.Atour timeof life it isnotsopleasant, Ican tellyou, tobemakingnewac-quaintances every day; but for your sakes, we would do anything. Lydia, my love,thoughyouare theyoungest, IdaresayMr.Bingleywilldancewithyouat thenextball.”“Oh!” saidLydia stoutly, “I amnot afraid; for though Iam the youngest, I’m the

tallest.”The rest of the eveningwas spent in conjecturing how soon hewould returnMr.

Bennet’svisit,anddeterminingwhentheyshouldaskhimtodinner.

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Chapter2

11

Chapter3

Notall thatMrs.Bennet,however,withtheassistanceofherfivedaughters,couldaskonthesubject,wassufficient todrawfromherhusbandanysatisfactorydescrip-tionofMr.Bingley.Theyattackedhiminvariousways—withbarefacedquestions,in-genioussuppositions,anddistantsurmises;butheeludedtheskillofthemall,andtheywere at last obliged to accept the second-hand intelligence of their neighbour, LadyLucas.Herreportwashighlyfavourable.SirWilliamhadbeendelightedwithhim.Hewas quite young, wonderfully handsome, extremely agreeable, and, to crown thewhole,hemeanttobeatthenextassemblywithalargeparty.Nothingcouldbemoredelightful!Tobefondofdancingwasacertainsteptowardsfallinginlove;andverylivelyhopesofMr.Bingley’sheartwereentertained.“IfIcanbutseeoneofmydaughtershappilysettledatNetherfield,”saidMrs.Ben-

net toher husband, “and all theothers equallywellmarried, I shall havenothing towishfor.”In a fewdaysMr.Bingley returnedMr.Bennet’s visit, and sat about tenminutes

withhim inhis library.Hehadentertainedhopesofbeingadmitted toasightof theyoung ladies, ofwhose beauty he had heardmuch; but he saw only the father. Theladiesweresomewhatmorefortunate,fortheyhadtheadvantageofascertainingfromanupperwindowthatheworeabluecoat,androdeablackhorse.Aninvitationtodinnerwassoonafterwardsdispatched;andalreadyhadMrs.Ben-

netplannedthecoursesthatweretodocredittoherhousekeeping,whenananswerar-rivedwhichdeferreditall.Mr.Bingleywasobligedtobeintownthefollowingday,and,consequently,unabletoacceptthehonouroftheirinvitation,etc.Mrs.Bennetwasquitedisconcerted.ShecouldnotimaginewhatbusinesshecouldhaveintownsosoonafterhisarrivalinHertfordshire;andshebegantofearthathemightbealwaysflyingabout fromoneplace to another, andnever settled atNetherfield as he ought to be.LadyLucasquietedherfearsalittlebystartingtheideaofhisbeinggonetoLondononlytogetalargepartyfortheball;andareportsoonfollowedthatMr.Bingleywastobringtwelveladiesandsevengentlemenwithhimtotheassembly.Thegirlsgrievedoversuchanumberofladies,butwerecomfortedthedaybeforetheballbyhearing,thatinsteadoftwelvehebroughtonlysixwithhimfromLondon—hisfivesistersandacousin.Andwhenthepartyenteredtheassemblyroomitconsistedofonlyfivealto-

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gether—Mr. Bingley, his two sisters, the husband of the eldest, and another youngman.Mr.Bingleywasgood-lookingandgentlemanlike;hehadapleasant countenance,

and easy, unaffectedmanners. His sisters were fine women, with an air of decidedfashion.His brother-in-law,Mr. Hurst,merely looked the gentleman; but his friendMr.Darcysoondrewtheattentionoftheroombyhisfine,tallperson,handsomefea-tures,noblemien,andthereportwhichwasingeneralcirculationwithinfiveminutesafterhisentrance,ofhishavingtenthousandayear.Thegentlemenpronouncedhimtobeafinefigureofaman,theladiesdeclaredhewasmuchhandsomerthanMr.Bing-ley,andhewaslookedatwithgreatadmirationforabouthalftheevening,tillhisman-nersgaveadisgustwhichturnedthetideofhispopularity;forhewasdiscoveredtobeproud;tobeabovehiscompany,andabovebeingpleased;andnotallhislargeestateinDerbyshirecouldthensavehimfromhavingamostforbidding,disagreeablecoun-tenance,andbeingunworthytobecomparedwithhisfriend.Mr.Bingleyhadsoonmadehimselfacquaintedwithalltheprincipalpeopleinthe

room;hewaslivelyandunreserved,dancedeverydance,wasangrythattheballclosedsoearly,andtalkedofgivingonehimselfatNetherfield.Suchamiablequalitiesmustspeakforthemselves.Whatacontrastbetweenhimandhisfriend!Mr.DarcydancedonlyoncewithMrs.HurstandoncewithMissBingley,declinedbeingintroducedtoanyotherlady,andspenttherestoftheeveninginwalkingabouttheroom,speakingoccasionallytooneofhisownparty.Hischaracterwasdecided.Hewastheproudest,mostdisagreeablemanintheworld,andeverybodyhopedthathewouldnevercomethereagain.AmongstthemostviolentagainsthimwasMrs.Bennet,whosedislikeofhisgeneralbehaviourwassharpenedintoparticularresentmentbyhishavingslightedoneofherdaughters.ElizabethBennethadbeenobliged,bythescarcityofgentlemen,tositdownfortwo

dances;andduringpartofthattime,Mr.DarcyhadbeenstandingnearenoughforhertohearaconversationbetweenhimandMr.Bingley,whocamefromthedanceforafewminutes,topresshisfriendtojoinit.“Come,Darcy,”saidhe,“Imusthaveyoudance.Ihatetoseeyoustandingaboutby

yourselfinthisstupidmanner.Youhadmuchbetterdance.”“Icertainlyshallnot.YouknowhowIdetestit,unlessIamparticularlyacquainted

withmypartner.Atsuchanassemblyas this itwouldbe insupportable.Yoursistersareengaged,andthereisnotanotherwomanintheroomwhomitwouldnotbeapun-ishmenttometostandupwith.”“Iwouldnotbesofastidiousasyouare,”criedMr.Bingley,“forakingdom!Upon

myhonour,InevermetwithsomanypleasantgirlsinmylifeasIhavethisevening;andthereareseveralofthemyouseeuncommonlypretty.”

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“Youaredancingwiththeonlyhandsomegirlintheroom,”saidMr.Darcy,lookingattheeldestMissBennet.“Oh!SheisthemostbeautifulcreatureIeverbeheld!Butthereisoneofhersisters

sittingdownjustbehindyou,whoisverypretty,andIdaresayveryagreeable.Doletmeaskmypartnertointroduceyou.”“Whichdoyoumean?”andturningroundhelookedforamomentatElizabeth,till

catchinghereye,hewithdrewhisownandcoldlysaid:“Sheistolerable,butnothand-someenoughtotemptme;Iaminnohumouratpresenttogiveconsequencetoyoungladieswhoareslightedbyothermen.Youhadbetterreturntoyourpartnerandenjoyhersmiles,foryouarewastingyourtimewithme.”Mr. Bingley followed his advice.Mr. Darcy walked off; and Elizabeth remained

withnoverycordialfeelingstowardhim.Shetoldthestory,however,withgreatspiritamongher friends; for shehad a lively, playful disposition,whichdelighted in any-thingridiculous.Theeveningaltogetherpassedoffpleasantlytothewholefamily.Mrs.Bennethad

seen her eldest daughter much admired by the Netherfield party. Mr. Bingley haddancedwithhertwice,andshehadbeendistinguishedbyhissisters.Janewasasmuchgratifiedbythisashermothercouldbe,thoughinaquieterway.ElizabethfeltJane’spleasure.MaryhadheardherselfmentionedtoMissBingleyasthemostaccomplishedgirlintheneighbourhood;andCatherineandLydiahadbeenfortunateenoughnevertobewithoutpartners,whichwasallthattheyhadyetlearnttocareforataball.Theyre-turned, therefore, in good spirits toLongbourn, the villagewhere they lived, and ofwhichtheyweretheprincipalinhabitants.TheyfoundMr.Bennetstillup.Withabookhewasregardlessoftime;andonthepresentoccasionhehadagooddealofcuriosityas to the event of an eveningwhich had raised such splendid expectations. He hadratherhopedthathiswife’sviewsonthestrangerwouldbedisappointed;buthesoonfoundoutthathehadadifferentstorytohear.“Oh,mydearMr.Bennet,”assheenteredtheroom,“wehavehadamostdelightful

evening,amostexcellentball.Iwishyouhadbeenthere.Janewassoadmired,noth-ingcouldbelikeit.Everybodysaidhowwellshelooked;andMr.Bingleythoughtherquite beautiful, anddancedwithher twice!Only thinkof that,my dear; he actuallydancedwithhertwice!andshewastheonlycreatureintheroomthatheaskedasec-ondtime.Firstofall,heaskedMissLucas.Iwassovexedtoseehimstandupwithher!But,however,hedidnotadmireheratall;indeed,nobodycan,youknow;andheseemedquitestruckwithJaneasshewasgoingdownthedance.Soheinquiredwhoshewas, and got introduced, and asked her for the two next. Then the two third hedancedwithMissKing,andthetwofourthwithMariaLucas,andthetwofifthwithJaneagain,andthetwosixthwithLizzy,andtheBoulanger—”

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“Ifhehadhadanycompassionforme,”criedherhusband impatiently,“hewouldnothavedancedhalfsomuch!ForGod’ssake,saynomoreofhispartners.Ohthathehadsprainedhisankleinthefirstdance!”“Oh!mydear,Iamquitedelightedwithhim.Heissoexcessivelyhandsome!And

his sisters are charmingwomen. I never inmy life saw anythingmore elegant thantheirdresses.IdaresaythelaceuponMrs.Hurst’sgown—”Hereshewasinterruptedagain.Mr.Bennetprotestedagainstanydescriptionoffin-

ery.Shewasthereforeobligedtoseekanotherbranchofthesubject,andrelated,withmuchbitternessofspiritandsomeexaggeration,theshockingrudenessofMr.Darcy.“ButIcanassureyou,”sheadded,“thatLizzydoesnotlosemuchbynotsuitinghis

fancy;forheisamostdisagreeable,horridman,notatallworthpleasing.Sohighandso conceited that therewasno enduringhim!Hewalkedhere, andhewalked there,fancyinghimselfsoverygreat!Nothandsomeenoughtodancewith!Iwishyouhadbeenthere,mydear,tohavegivenhimoneofyourset-downs.Iquitedetesttheman.”

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Chapter4

When Jane and Elizabeth were alone, the former, who had been cautious in herpraiseofMr.Bingleybefore,expressedtohersisterjusthowverymuchsheadmiredhim.“He is justwhat a youngman ought to be,” said she, “sensible, good-humoured,

lively;andIneversawsuchhappymanners!—somuchease,withsuchperfectgoodbreeding!”“Heisalsohandsome,”repliedElizabeth,“whichayoungmanoughtlikewisetobe,

ifhepossiblycan.Hischaracteristherebycomplete.”“Iwasverymuchflatteredbyhisaskingmetodanceasecondtime.Ididnotexpect

suchacompliment.”“Didnotyou? I did foryou.But that isonegreatdifferencebetweenus.Compli-

mentsalwaystakeyoubysurprise,andmenever.Whatcouldbemorenaturalthanhisaskingyouagain?Hecouldnothelpseeingthatyouwereaboutfivetimesasprettyaseveryotherwomanintheroom.Nothankstohisgallantryforthat.Well,hecertainlyisveryagreeable,and Igiveyou leave to likehim.Youhave likedmanya stupiderperson.”“DearLizzy!”“Oh!youareagreatdealtooapt,youknow,tolikepeopleingeneral.Youneversee

afault inanybody.All theworldaregoodandagreeable inyoureyes. Ineverheardyouspeakillofahumanbeinginyourlife.”“Iwouldnotwishtobehastyincensuringanyone;butIalwaysspeakwhatIthink.”“Iknowyoudo;anditisthatwhichmakesthewonder.Withyourgoodsense,tobe

sohonestlyblindtothefolliesandnonsenseofothers!Affectationofcandouriscom-monenough—onemeetswith iteverywhere.But tobecandidwithoutostentationordesign—to take the good of everybody’s character andmake it still better, and saynothingofthebad—belongstoyoualone.Andsoyoulikethisman’ssisters,too,doyou?Theirmannersarenotequaltohis.”“Certainlynot—atfirst.Buttheyareverypleasingwomenwhenyouconversewith

them.MissBingleyistolivewithherbrother,andkeephishouse;andIammuchmis-

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takenifweshallnotfindaverycharmingneighbourinher.”Elizabethlistenedinsilence,butwasnotconvinced;theirbehaviourattheassembly

hadnotbeencalculatedtopleaseingeneral;andwithmorequicknessofobservationandlesspliancyoftemperthanhersister,andwithajudgementtoounassailedbyanyattention toherself, shewasvery little disposed to approve them.Theywere in factvery fine ladies; not deficient in good humour when they were pleased, nor in thepowerofmaking themselvesagreeablewhen theychose it,butproudandconceited.Theywereratherhandsome,hadbeeneducatedinoneofthefirstprivateseminariesintown,had a fortuneof twenty thousandpounds,were in thehabit of spendingmorethantheyought,andofassociatingwithpeopleofrank,andwerethereforeineveryre-spect entitled to thinkwell of themselves, andmeanlyofothers.Theywereof a re-spectable family in the north ofEngland; a circumstancemore deeply impressed ontheirmemories than that their brother’s fortune and their ownhadbeen acquiredbytrade.Mr.Bingleyinheritedpropertytotheamountofnearlyahundredthousandpounds

fromhisfather,whohadintendedtopurchaseanestate,butdidnotlivetodoit.Mr.Bingleyintendeditlikewise,andsometimesmadechoiceofhiscounty;butashewasnowprovidedwithagoodhouseandthelibertyofamanor,itwasdoubtfultomanyofthosewhobestknew theeasinessofhis temper,whetherhemightnot spend the re-mainderofhisdaysatNetherfield,andleavethenextgenerationtopurchase.Hissisterswereanxiousforhishavinganestateofhisown;but,thoughhewasnow

onlyestablishedasatenant,MissBingleywasbynomeansunwillingtopresideathistable—norwasMrs.Hurst,whohadmarriedamanofmorefashionthanfortune,lessdisposed to considerhishouseasherhomewhen it suitedher.Mr.Bingleyhadnotbeenofagetwoyears,whenhewastemptedbyanaccidentalrecommendationtolookatNetherfieldHouse.Hedidlookatit,andintoitforhalf-an-hour—waspleasedwiththesituationandtheprincipalrooms,satisfiedwithwhattheownersaidinitspraise,andtookitimmediately.BetweenhimandDarcytherewasaverysteadyfriendship,inspiteofgreatopposi-

tionofcharacter.BingleywasendearedtoDarcybytheeasiness,openness,andductil-ityofhistemper,thoughnodispositioncouldofferagreatercontrasttohisown,andthoughwithhisownheneverappeareddissatisfied.OnthestrengthofDarcy’sregard,Bingleyhadthefirmestreliance,andofhis judgementthehighestopinion.Inunder-standing,Darcywasthesuperior.Bingleywasbynomeansdeficient,butDarcywasclever.Hewas at the same timehaughty, reserved, and fastidious, andhismanners,thoughwell-bred,werenot inviting. In that respecthis friendhadgreatly theadvan-tage.Bingleywas sure of being likedwherever he appeared,Darcywas continuallygivingoffense.ThemannerinwhichtheyspokeoftheMerytonassemblywassufficientlycharac-

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teristic.Bingleyhadnevermetwithmorepleasantpeopleorprettiergirls inhis life;everybodyhadbeenmostkindandattentive tohim; therehadbeennoformality,nostiffness; he had soon felt acquaintedwith all the room; and, as toMissBennet, hecouldnotconceiveanangelmorebeautiful.Darcy,onthecontrary,hadseenacollec-tionofpeople inwhomtherewas littlebeautyandnofashion, fornoneofwhomhehadfeltthesmallestinterest,andfromnonereceivedeitherattentionorpleasure.MissBennetheacknowledgedtobepretty,butshesmiledtoomuch.Mrs.Hurstandhersisterallowed it tobeso—butstill theyadmiredherand liked

her, andpronouncedher tobea sweetgirl, andonewhom theywouldnotobject toknowmoreof.MissBennetwasthereforeestablishedasasweetgirl,andtheirbrotherfeltauthorizedbysuchcommendationtothinkofherashechose.

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Chapter5

WithinashortwalkofLongbournlivedafamilywithwhomtheBennetswerepar-ticularlyintimate.SirWilliamLucashadbeenformerlyintradeinMeryton,wherehehadmadeatolerablefortune,andrisentothehonourofknighthoodbyanaddresstothekingduringhismayoralty.Thedistinctionhadperhapsbeenfelttoostrongly.Ithadgivenhimadisgusttohisbusiness,andtohisresidenceinasmallmarkettown;and,inquitting them both, he had removed with his family to a house about a mile fromMeryton,denominatedfromthatperiodLucasLodge,wherehecouldthinkwithplea-sure of his own importance, and, unshackled by business, occupy himself solely inbeingciviltoalltheworld.For,thoughelatedbyhisrank,itdidnotrenderhimsuper-cilious; on the contrary, he was all attention to everybody. By nature inoffensive,friendly,andobliging,hispresentationatSt.James’shadmadehimcourteous.LadyLucaswasaverygoodkindofwoman,nottooclevertobeavaluableneigh-

bourtoMrs.Bennet.Theyhadseveralchildren.Theeldestofthem,asensible,intelli-gentyoungwoman,abouttwenty-seven,wasElizabeth’sintimatefriend.ThattheMissLucasesandtheMissBennetsshouldmeettotalkoveraballwasab-

solutely necessary; and themorning after the assembly brought the former toLong-bourntohearandtocommunicate.“Youbegantheeveningwell,Charlotte,”saidMrs.Bennetwithcivilself-command

toMissLucas.“YouwereMr.Bingley’sfirstchoice.”“Yes;butheseemedtolikehissecondbetter.”“Oh!youmeanJane,Isuppose,becausehedancedwithhertwice.Tobesurethat

did seem as if he admired her—indeed I rather believe he did—I heard somethingaboutit—butIhardlyknowwhat—somethingaboutMr.Robinson.”“PerhapsyoumeanwhatIoverheardbetweenhimandMr.Robinson;didnotImen-

tionittoyou?Mr.Robinson’saskinghimhowhelikedourMerytonassemblies,andwhetherhedidnotthinktherewereagreatmanyprettywomenintheroom,andwhichhethoughttheprettiest?andhisansweringimmediatelytothelastquestion:‘Oh!theeldestMissBennet,beyondadoubt;therecannotbetwoopinionsonthatpoint.’”“Uponmyword!Well,thatisverydecidedindeed—thatdoesseemasif—but,how-

ever,itmayallcometonothing,youknow.”

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“Myoverhearingsweremoretothepurposethanyours,Eliza,”saidCharlotte.“Mr.Darcyisnotsowellworthlisteningtoashisfriend,ishe?—poorEliza!—tobeonlyjusttolerable.”“IbegyouwouldnotputitintoLizzy’sheadtobevexedbyhisill-treatment,forhe

issuchadisagreeableman,thatitwouldbequiteamisfortunetobelikedbyhim.Mrs.Longtoldmelastnightthathesatclosetoherforhalf-an-hourwithoutonceopeninghislips.”“Areyouquitesure,ma’am?—isnottherealittlemistake?”saidJane.“Icertainly

sawMr.Darcyspeakingtoher.”“Aye—because she asked him at last how he likedNetherfield, and he could not

helpansweringher;butshesaidheseemedquiteangryatbeingspoketo.”“MissBingleytoldme,”saidJane,“thatheneverspeaksmuch,unlessamonghisin-

timateacquaintances.Withthemheisremarkablyagreeable.”“Idonotbelieveawordofit,mydear.Ifhehadbeensoveryagreeable,hewould

havetalkedtoMrs.Long.ButIcanguesshowitwas;everybodysaysthatheiseatupwithpride,andIdaresayhehadheardsomehowthatMrs.Longdoesnotkeepacar-riage,andhadcometotheballinahackchaise.”“IdonotmindhisnottalkingtoMrs.Long,”saidMissLucas,“butIwishhehad

dancedwithEliza.”“Anothertime,Lizzy,”saidhermother,“Iwouldnotdancewithhim,ifIwereyou.”“Ibelieve,ma’am,Imaysafelypromiseyounevertodancewithhim.”“Hispride,”saidMissLucas,“doesnotoffendmesomuchasprideoftendoes,be-

causethereisanexcuseforit.Onecannotwonderthatsoveryfineayoungman,withfamily, fortune,everything inhis favour, should thinkhighlyofhimself. If Imaysoexpressit,hehasarighttobeproud.”“Thatisverytrue,”repliedElizabeth,“andIcouldeasilyforgivehispride,ifhehad

notmortifiedmine.”“Pride,”observedMary,whopiquedherselfuponthesolidityofherreflections,“is

averycommonfailing,Ibelieve.ByallthatIhaveeverread,Iamconvincedthatitisverycommonindeed; thathumannatureisparticularlypronetoit,andthat thereareveryfewofuswhodonotcherishafeelingofself-complacencyonthescoreofsomequalityor other, real or imaginary.Vanity andpride aredifferent things, though thewordsareoftenusedsynonymously.Apersonmaybeproudwithoutbeingvain.Priderelatesmoretoouropinionofourselves,vanitytowhatwewouldhaveothersthinkofus.”“IfIwereasrichasMr.Darcy,”criedayoungLucas,whocamewithhissisters,“I

shouldnotcarehowproudIwas.Iwouldkeepapackoffoxhounds,anddrinkabottle

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ofwineaday.”“Thenyouwoulddrinkagreatdealmorethanyouought,”saidMrs.Bennet;“andif

Iweretoseeyouatit,Ishouldtakeawayyourbottledirectly.”Theboyprotestedthatsheshouldnot;shecontinuedtodeclarethatshewould,and

theargumentendedonlywiththevisit.

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Chapter6

TheladiesofLongbournsoonwaitedonthoseofNetherfield.Thevisitwassoonre-turned in due form.Miss Bennet’s pleasingmanners grew on the goodwill ofMrs.HurstandMissBingley;and thoughthemotherwasfoundtobe intolerable,and theyoungersistersnotworthspeakingto,awishofbeingbetteracquaintedwiththemwasexpressedtowardsthetwoeldest.ByJane,thisattentionwasreceivedwiththegreatestpleasure, but Elizabeth still saw superciliousness in their treatment of everybody,hardly excepting even her sister, and could not like them; though their kindness toJane,suchasitwas,hadavalueasarisinginallprobabilityfromtheinfluenceoftheirbrother’sadmiration.Itwasgenerallyevidentwhenever theymet, thathedidadmireherandtoheritwasequallyevidentthatJanewasyieldingtothepreferencewhichshehadbegun to entertain for him from the first, andwas in away tobeverymuch inlove;but sheconsideredwithpleasure that itwasnot likely tobediscoveredby theworldingeneral,sinceJaneunited,withgreatstrengthoffeeling,acomposureoftem-perandauniformcheerfulnessofmannerwhichwouldguardherfromthesuspicionsoftheimpertinent.ShementionedthistoherfriendMissLucas.“Itmayperhapsbepleasant,”repliedCharlotte,“tobeabletoimposeonthepublic

insuchacase;butitissometimesadisadvantagetobesoveryguarded.Ifawomanconcealsheraffectionwiththesameskillfromtheobjectofit,shemaylosetheoppor-tunity of fixing him; and it will then be but poor consolation to believe the worldequallyinthedark.Thereissomuchofgratitudeorvanityinalmosteveryattachment,thatitisnotsafetoleaveanytoitself.Wecanallbeginfreely—aslightpreferenceisnaturalenough;butthereareveryfewofuswhohaveheartenoughtobereallyinlovewithoutencouragement.Inninecasesoutoftenawomanhadbettershowmoreaffec-tionthanshefeels.Bingleylikesyoursisterundoubtedly;buthemayneverdomorethanlikeher,ifshedoesnothelphimon.”“Butshedoeshelphimon,asmuchashernaturewillallow.IfIcanperceiveherre-

gardforhim,hemustbeasimpleton,indeed,nottodiscoverittoo.”“Remember,Eliza,thathedoesnotknowJane’sdispositionasyoudo.”“Butifawomanispartialtoaman,anddoesnotendeavourtoconcealit,hemust

finditout.”

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“Perhapshemust,ifheseesenoughofher.But,thoughBingleyandJanemeettoler-ablyoften, it isneverformanyhourstogether;and,astheyalwaysseeeachotherinlargemixedparties,itisimpossiblethateverymomentshouldbeemployedinconvers-ingtogether.Janeshouldthereforemakethemostofeveryhalf-hourinwhichshecancommand his attention. When she is secure of him, there will be more leisure forfallinginloveasmuchasshechooses.”“Yourplanisagoodone,”repliedElizabeth,“wherenothingisinquestionbutthe

desireofbeingwellmarried, and if Iweredetermined toget a richhusband,oranyhusband,IdaresayIshouldadoptit.ButthesearenotJane’sfeelings;sheisnotactingbydesign.Asyet,shecannotevenbecertainofthedegreeofherownregardnorofitsreasonableness.Shehasknownhimonlyafortnight.ShedancedfourdanceswithhimatMeryton;shesawhimonemorningathisownhouse,andhassincedinedwithhimincompanyfourtimes.Thisisnotquiteenoughtomakeherunderstandhischaracter.”“Notasyourepresentit.Hadshemerelydinedwithhim,shemightonlyhavedis-

coveredwhether hehad agood appetite; but youmust remember that four eveningshavealsobeenspenttogether—andfoureveningsmaydoagreatdeal.”“Yes;thesefoureveningshaveenabledthemtoascertainthattheybothlikeVingt-

unbetterthanCommerce;butwithrespecttoanyotherleadingcharacteristic,Idonotimaginethatmuchhasbeenunfolded.”“Well,”saidCharlotte,“IwishJanesuccesswithallmyheart;andifsheweremar-

riedtohimto-morrow,Ishouldthinkshehadasgoodachanceofhappinessasifsheweretobestudyinghischaracterforatwelvemonth.Happinessinmarriageisentirelyamatterof chance. If thedispositionsof theparties are ever sowellknown toeachotheroreversosimilarbeforehand,itdoesnotadvancetheirfelicityintheleast.Theyalwayscontinuetogrowsufficientlyunlikeafterwardstohavetheirshareofvexation;anditisbettertoknowaslittleaspossibleofthedefectsofthepersonwithwhomyouaretopassyourlife.”“Youmakemelaugh,Charlotte;butitisnotsound.Youknowitisnotsound,and

thatyouwouldneveractinthiswayyourself.”OccupiedinobservingMr.Bingley’sattentionstohersister,Elizabethwasfarfrom

suspectingthatshewasherselfbecominganobjectofsomeinterestintheeyesofhisfriend.Mr.Darcyhadatfirstscarcelyallowedher tobepretty;hehadlookedatherwithoutadmirationattheball;andwhentheynextmet,helookedatheronlytocriti-cise.Butnosoonerhadhemadeitcleartohimselfandhisfriendsthatshehardlyhadagoodfeatureinherface,thanhebegantofinditwasrendereduncommonlyintelligentbythebeautifulexpressionofherdarkeyes.Tothisdiscoverysucceededsomeothersequallymortifying.Thoughhehaddetectedwithacriticaleyemorethanonefailureofperfectsymmetryinherform,hewasforcedtoacknowledgeherfiguretobelightand

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pleasing;andinspiteofhisassertingthathermannerswerenotthoseofthefashion-ableworld,hewascaughtbytheireasyplayfulness.Ofthisshewasperfectlyunaware;toherhewasonly themanwhomadehimselfagreeablenowhere,andwhohadnotthoughtherhandsomeenoughtodancewith.Hebegantowishtoknowmoreofher,andasasteptowardsconversingwithher

himself,attendedtoherconversationwithothers.Hisdoingsodrewhernotice.ItwasatSirWilliamLucas’s,wherealargepartywereassembled.“WhatdoesMr.Darcymean,”saidshetoCharlotte,“bylisteningtomyconversa-

tionwithColonelForster?”“ThatisaquestionwhichMr.Darcyonlycananswer.”“ButifhedoesitanymoreIshallcertainlylethimknowthatIseewhatheisabout.

Hehasaverysatiricaleye,andifIdonotbeginbybeingimpertinentmyself,Ishallsoongrowafraidofhim.”Onhisapproachingthemsoonafterwards,thoughwithoutseemingtohaveanyin-

tention of speaking,MissLucas defied her friend tomention such a subject to him;whichimmediatelyprovokingElizabethtodoit,sheturnedtohimandsaid:“Didyounotthink,Mr.Darcy,thatIexpressedmyselfuncommonlywelljustnow,

whenIwasteasingColonelForstertogiveusaballatMeryton?”“Withgreatenergy;butitisalwaysasubjectwhichmakesaladyenergetic.”“Youaresevereonus.”“Itwillbeherturnsoontobeteased,”saidMissLucas.“Iamgoingtoopenthein-

strument,Eliza,andyouknowwhatfollows.”“Youareaverystrangecreaturebywayofa friend!—alwayswantingme toplay

andsingbeforeanybodyandeverybody! Ifmyvanityhad takenamusical turn,youwouldhavebeeninvaluable;butasitis,Iwouldreallyrathernotsitdownbeforethosewhomustbeinthehabitofhearingtheverybestperformers.”OnMissLucas’sperse-vering,however,sheadded,“Verywell,ifitmustbeso,itmust.”Andgravelyglanc-ingatMr.Darcy,“Thereisafineoldsaying,whicheverybodyhereisofcoursefamil-iarwith:‘Keepyourbreathtocoolyourporridge’;andIshallkeepminetoswellmysong.”Herperformancewaspleasing,thoughbynomeanscapital.Afterasongortwo,and

beforeshecouldreplytotheentreatiesofseveralthatshewouldsingagain,shewaseagerlysucceededattheinstrumentbyhersisterMary,whohaving,inconsequenceofbeing theonlyplainone in the family,workedhard forknowledgeandaccomplish-ments,wasalwaysimpatientfordisplay.Maryhadneithergeniusnor taste;and thoughvanityhadgivenherapplication, it

hadgivenherlikewiseapedanticairandconceitedmanner,whichwouldhaveinjured

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ahigherdegreeofexcellencethanshehadreached.Elizabeth,easyandunaffected,hadbeenlistenedtowithmuchmorepleasure,thoughnotplayinghalfsowell;andMary,attheendofalongconcerto,wasgladtopurchasepraiseandgratitudebyScotchandIrishairs,attherequestofheryoungersisters,who,withsomeoftheLucases,andtwoorthreeofficers,joinedeagerlyindancingatoneendoftheroom.Mr. Darcy stood near them in silent indignation at such a mode of passing the

evening, to the exclusion of all conversation, and was too much engrossed by histhoughts toperceive thatSirWilliamLucaswashisneighbour, tillSirWilliam thusbegan:“Whatacharmingamusementforyoungpeoplethisis,Mr.Darcy!Thereisnothing

likedancingafterall.Iconsideritasoneofthefirstrefinementsofpolishedsociety.”“Certainly,sir;andithastheadvantagealsoofbeinginvogueamongstthelesspol-

ishedsocietiesoftheworld.Everysavagecandance.”SirWilliamonlysmiled.“Yourfriendperformsdelightfully,”hecontinuedaftera

pause,onseeingBingleyjointhegroup;“andIdoubtnotthatyouareanadeptinthescienceyourself,Mr.Darcy.”“YousawmedanceatMeryton,Ibelieve,sir.”“Yes,indeed,andreceivednoinconsiderablepleasurefromthesight.Doyouoften

danceatSt.James’s?”“Never,sir.”“Doyounotthinkitwouldbeapropercomplimenttotheplace?”“ItisacomplimentwhichIneverpaytoanyplaceifIcanavoidit.”“Youhaveahouseintown,Iconclude?”Mr.Darcybowed.“Ihadoncehadsomethoughtoffixingintownmyself—forIamfondofsuperior

society;butIdidnotfeelquitecertainthattheairofLondonwouldagreewithLadyLucas.”Hepausedinhopesofananswer;buthiscompanionwasnotdisposedtomakeany;

andElizabeth at that instantmoving towards them,hewas struckwith the actionofdoingaverygallantthing,andcalledouttoher:“MydearMissEliza,whyareyounotdancing?Mr.Darcy,youmustallowmeto

presentthisyoungladytoyouasaverydesirablepartner.Youcannotrefusetodance,Iamsurewhensomuchbeautyisbeforeyou.”And,takingherhand,hewouldhavegivenittoMr.Darcywho,thoughextremelysurprised,wasnotunwillingtoreceiveit,whensheinstantlydrewback,andsaidwithsomediscomposuretoSirWilliam:“Indeed,sir, Ihavenot the least intentionofdancing.Ientreatyounot tosuppose

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thatImovedthiswayinordertobegforapartner.”Mr.Darcy,withgravepropriety,requestedtobeallowedthehonourofherhand,but

invain.Elizabethwasdetermined;nordidSirWilliamatallshakeherpurposebyhisattemptatpersuasion.“Youexcelsomuchinthedance,MissEliza,thatitiscrueltodenymethehappi-

nessofseeingyou;and thoughthisgentlemandislikes theamusement ingeneral,hecanhavenoobjection,Iamsure,toobligeusforonehalf-hour.”“Mr.Darcyisallpoliteness,”saidElizabeth,smiling.“He is, indeed; but, considering the inducement, my dearMiss Eliza, we cannot

wonderathiscomplaisance—forwhowouldobjecttosuchapartner?”Elizabeth lookedarchly, and turnedaway.Her resistancehadnot injuredherwith

thegentleman,andhewasthinkingofherwithsomecomplacency,whenthusaccostedbyMissBingley:“Icanguessthesubjectofyourreverie.”“Ishouldimaginenot.”“Youareconsideringhowinsupportableitwouldbetopassmanyeveningsinthis

manner—insuchsociety;andindeedIamquiteofyouropinion.Iwasnevermorean-noyed!Theinsipidity,andyetthenoise—thenothingness,andyettheself-importanceofallthosepeople!WhatwouldIgivetohearyourstricturesonthem!”“Yourconjecture is totallywrong,Iassureyou.Mymindwasmoreagreeablyen-

gaged.Ihavebeenmeditatingontheverygreatpleasurewhichapairoffineeyesinthefaceofaprettywomancanbestow.”MissBingleyimmediatelyfixedhereyesonhisface,anddesiredhewouldtellher

whatladyhadthecreditofinspiringsuchreflections.Mr.Darcyrepliedwithgreatin-trepidity:“MissElizabethBennet.”“MissElizabethBennet!”repeatedMissBingley.“Iamallastonishment.Howlong

hasshebeensuchafavourite?—andpray,whenamItowishyoujoy?”“That isexactlythequestionwhichIexpectedyoutoask.Alady’simaginationis

veryrapid;itjumpsfromadmirationtolove,fromlovetomatrimony,inamoment.Iknewyouwouldbewishingmejoy.”“Nay, if you are serious about it, I shall consider thematter is absolutely settled.

Youwillbehavingacharmingmother-in-law,indeed;and,ofcourse,shewillalwaysbeatPemberleywithyou.”He listened toherwithperfect indifferencewhile shechose toentertainherself in

thismanner;andashiscomposureconvincedherthatallwassafe,herwitflowedlong.

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Chapter6

27

Chapter7

Mr.Bennet’spropertyconsistedalmostentirelyinanestateoftwothousandayear,which,unfortunatelyforhisdaughters,wasentailed,indefaultofheirsmale,onadis-tant relation;and theirmother’sfortune, thoughampleforhersituation in life,couldbut ill supply thedeficiencyofhis.Her fatherhadbeenanattorney inMeryton,andhadleftherfourthousandpounds.ShehadasistermarriedtoaMr.Phillips,whohadbeenaclerktotheirfatherand

succeededhiminthebusiness,andabrothersettledinLondoninarespectablelineoftrade.ThevillageofLongbournwasonlyonemilefromMeryton;amostconvenientdis-

tance for the young ladies, who were usually tempted thither three or four times aweek,topaytheirdutytotheirauntandtoamilliner’sshopjustovertheway.Thetwoyoungestofthefamily,CatherineandLydia,wereparticularlyfrequentintheseatten-tions; theirmindsweremore vacant than their sisters’, andwhen nothing better of-fered,awalktoMerytonwasnecessarytoamusetheirmorninghoursandfurnishcon-versationfortheevening;andhoweverbareofnewsthecountryingeneralmightbe,theyalwayscontrivedtolearnsomefromtheiraunt.Atpresent,indeed,theywerewellsuppliedbothwithnewsandhappinessbytherecentarrivalofamilitiaregimentintheneighbourhood;itwastoremainthewholewinter,andMerytonwastheheadquarters.Their visits to Mrs. Phillips were now productive of the most interesting intelli-

gence.Everydayaddedsomethingtotheirknowledgeoftheofficers’namesandcon-nections.Theirlodgingswerenotlongasecret,andatlengththeybegantoknowtheofficersthemselves.Mr.Phillipsvisitedthemall,andthisopenedtohisniecesastoreoffelicityunknownbefore.Theycouldtalkofnothingbutofficers;andMr.Bingley’slargefortune,thementionofwhichgaveanimationtotheirmother,wasworthlessintheireyeswhenopposedtotheregimentalsofanensign.Afterlisteningonemorningtotheireffusionsonthissubject,Mr.Bennetcoollyob-

served:“FromallthatIcancollectbyyourmanneroftalking,youmustbetwoofthesilliest

girlsinthecountry.Ihavesuspecteditsometime,butIamnowconvinced.”Catherinewasdisconcerted,andmadenoanswer;butLydia,withperfect indiffer-

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ence, continued to expressher admirationofCaptainCarter, andher hopeof seeinghiminthecourseoftheday,ashewasgoingthenextmorningtoLondon.“Iamastonished,mydear,”saidMrs.Bennet,“thatyoushouldbesoreadytothink

yourownchildrensilly.IfIwishedtothinkslightinglyofanybody’schildren,itshouldnotbeofmyown,however.”“Ifmychildrenaresilly,Imusthopetobealwayssensibleofit.”“Yes—butasithappens,theyareallofthemveryclever.”“Thisistheonlypoint,Iflattermyself,onwhichwedonotagree.Ihadhopedthat

our sentiments coincided in everyparticular, but Imust so far differ fromyou as tothinkourtwoyoungestdaughtersuncommonlyfoolish.”“MydearMr.Bennet,youmustnotexpectsuchgirlstohavethesenseoftheirfa-

therandmother.Whentheygettoourage,Idaresaytheywillnotthinkaboutofficersanymorethanwedo.IrememberthetimewhenIlikedaredcoatmyselfverywell—and, indeed, so I do still atmyheart; and if a smartyoungcolonel,with fiveor sixthousandayear,shouldwantoneofmygirlsIshallnotsaynaytohim;andIthoughtColonelForsterlookedverybecomingtheothernightatSirWilliam’sinhisregimen-tals.”“Mamma,”criedLydia,“myauntsays thatColonelForsterandCaptainCarterdo

notgosooftentoMissWatson’sastheydidwhentheyfirstcame;sheseesthemnowveryoftenstandinginClarke’slibrary.”Mrs.Bennetwaspreventedreplyingbytheentranceofthefootmanwithanotefor

Miss Bennet; it came fromNetherfield, and the servantwaited for an answer.Mrs.Bennet’s eyes sparkled with pleasure, and she was eagerly calling out, while herdaughterread,“Well,Jane,whoisitfrom?Whatisitabout?Whatdoeshesay?Well,Jane,make

hasteandtellus;makehaste,mylove.”“ItisfromMissBingley,”saidJane,andthenreaditaloud.

“MYDEARFRIEND,—“Ifyouarenot so compassionate as todine to-daywithLouisa andme,weshallbe indangerofhatingeachother for the restofour lives, forawholeday’stête-à-têtebetweentwowomencanneverendwithoutaquarrel.Comeas soon as you can on receipt of this.Mybrother and the gentlemen are todinewiththeofficers.—Yoursever,

“CAROLINEBINGLEY”

“Withtheofficers!”criedLydia.“Iwondermyauntdidnottellusofthat.”

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“Diningout,”saidMrs.Bennet,“thatisveryunlucky.”“CanIhavethecarriage?”saidJane.“No,mydear,youhadbettergoonhorseback,becauseitseemslikelytorain;and

thenyoumuststayallnight.”“Thatwouldbeagoodscheme,”saidElizabeth,“ifyouweresurethattheywould

notoffertosendherhome.”“Oh!but thegentlemenwillhaveMr.Bingley’schaise togo toMeryton, and the

Hurstshavenohorsestotheirs.”“Ihadmuchrathergointhecoach.”“But,mydear,yourfathercannotsparethehorses,Iamsure.Theyarewantedinthe

farm,Mr.Bennet,aretheynot?”“TheyarewantedinthefarmmuchoftenerthanIcangetthem.”“Butifyouhavegotthemto-day,”saidElizabeth,“mymother’spurposewillbean-

swered.”Shedidat lastextort fromher fatheranacknowledgment that thehorseswereen-

gaged.Janewasthereforeobligedtogoonhorseback,andhermotherattendedhertothedoorwithmanycheerfulprognosticsofabadday.Herhopeswereanswered;Janehadnotbeengonelongbeforeitrainedhard.Hersisterswereuneasyforher,buthermother was delighted. The rain continued the whole evening without intermission;Janecertainlycouldnotcomeback.“Thiswasaluckyideaofmine,indeed!”saidMrs.Bennetmorethanonce,asifthe

creditofmakingitrainwereallherown.Tillthenextmorning,however,shewasnotawareofallthefelicityofhercontrivance.BreakfastwasscarcelyoverwhenaservantfromNetherfieldbroughtthefollowingnoteforElizabeth:

“MYDEARESTLIZZY,—“Ifindmyselfveryunwellthismorning,which,Isuppose,istobeimputedtomygettingwetthroughyesterday.Mykindfriendswillnothearofmyreturn-ingtillIambetter.TheyinsistalsoonmyseeingMr.Jones—thereforedonotbealarmedifyoushouldhearofhishavingbeentome—and,exceptingasorethroatandheadache,thereisnotmuchthematterwithme.—Yours,etc.”

“Well,mydear,”saidMr.Bennet,whenElizabethhadreadthenotealoud,“ifyourdaughtershouldhaveadangerousfitofillness—ifsheshoulddie,itwouldbeacom-forttoknowthatitwasallinpursuitofMr.Bingley,andunderyourorders.”“Oh!Iamnotafraidofherdying.Peopledonotdieoflittletriflingcolds.Shewill

betakengoodcareof.Aslongasshestaysthere,itisallverywell.IwouldgoandseeherifIcouldhavethecarriage.”

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Elizabeth, feelingreallyanxious,wasdetermined togo toher, though thecarriagewasnottobehad;andasshewasnohorsewoman,walkingwasheronlyalternative.Shedeclaredherresolution.“Howcanyoubesosilly,”criedhermother,“astothinkofsuchathing,inallthis

dirt!Youwillnotbefittobeseenwhenyougetthere.”“IshallbeveryfittoseeJane—whichisallIwant.”“Isthisahinttome,Lizzy,”saidherfather,“tosendforthehorses?”“No,indeed,Idonotwishtoavoidthewalk.Thedistanceisnothingwhenonehasa

motive;onlythreemiles.Ishallbebackbydinner.”“Iadmiretheactivityofyourbenevolence,”observedMary,“buteveryimpulseof

feelingshouldbeguidedbyreason;and,inmyopinion,exertionshouldalwaysbeinproportiontowhatisrequired.”“Wewillgoas farasMerytonwithyou,”saidCatherineandLydia.Elizabethac-

ceptedtheircompany,andthethreeyoungladiessetofftogether.“Ifwemakehaste,”saidLydia,astheywalkedalong,“perhapswemayseesome-

thingofCaptainCarterbeforehegoes.”InMerytontheyparted;thetwoyoungestrepairedtothelodgingsofoneoftheoffi-

cers’ wives, and Elizabeth continued her walk alone, crossing field after field at aquickpace,jumpingoverstilesandspringingoverpuddleswithimpatientactivity,andfindingherselfatlastwithinviewofthehouse,withwearyankles,dirtystockings,andafaceglowingwiththewarmthofexercise.Shewasshownintothebreakfast-parlour,whereallbutJanewereassembled,and

where her appearance created a great deal of surprise.That she shouldhavewalkedthreemilessoearly in theday, insuchdirtyweather,andbyherself,wasalmost in-credibletoMrs.HurstandMissBingley;andElizabethwasconvincedthattheyheldherincontemptforit.Shewasreceived,however,verypolitelybythem;andintheirbrother’smannerstherewassomethingbetterthanpoliteness;therewasgoodhumourandkindness.Mr.Darcysaidverylittle,andMr.Hurstnothingatall.Theformerwasdividedbetweenadmirationofthebrilliancywhichexercisehadgiventohercomplex-ion,anddoubtastotheoccasion’sjustifyinghercomingsofaralone.Thelatterwasthinkingonlyofhisbreakfast.Her inquiriesafterhersisterwerenotveryfavourablyanswered.MissBennethad

slept ill, and though up,was very feverish, and notwell enough to leave her room.Elizabethwasgladtobetakentoherimmediately;andJane,whohadonlybeenwith-held by the fear of giving alarm or inconvenience from expressing in her note howmuch she longed for such a visit,was delighted at her entrance.Shewasnot equal,however, tomuchconversation,andwhenMissBingleyleft themtogether,couldat-tempt little besides expressions of gratitude for the extraordinary kindness she was

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treatedwith.Elizabethsilentlyattendedher.Whenbreakfastwasovertheywerejoinedbythesisters;andElizabethbegantolike

themherself,whenshesawhowmuchaffectionandsolicitudetheyshowedforJane.The apothecary came, and having examinedhis patient, said, asmight be supposed,thatshehadcaughtaviolentcold,andthattheymustendeavourtogetthebetterofit;advisedhertoreturntobed,andpromisedhersomedraughts.Theadvicewasfollowedreadily,forthefeverishsymptomsincreased,andherheadachedacutely.Elizabethdidnotquitherroomforamoment;norweretheotherladiesoftenabsent;thegentlemenbeingout,theyhad,infact,nothingtodoelsewhere.When theclockstruck three,Elizabethfelt thatshemustgo,andveryunwillingly

saidso.MissBingleyofferedherthecarriage,andsheonlywantedalittlepressingtoacceptit,whenJanetestifiedsuchconcerninpartingwithher,thatMissBingleywasobligedtoconverttheofferofthechaisetoaninvitationtoremainatNetherfieldforthe present. Elizabeth most thankfully consented, and a servant was dispatched toLongbourntoacquaintthefamilywithherstayandbringbackasupplyofclothes.

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Chapter8

At five o’clock the two ladies retired to dress, and at half-past six Elizabethwassummonedtodinner.Tothecivilinquirieswhichthenpouredin,andamongstwhichshehadthepleasureofdistinguishingthemuchsuperiorsolicitudeofMr.Bingley’s,shecouldnotmakeaveryfavourableanswer.Janewasbynomeansbetter.Thesis-ters,onhearing this, repeated threeor four timeshowmuch theyweregrieved,howshockingitwastohaveabadcold,andhowexcessivelytheydislikedbeingillthem-selves; and then thought nomore of thematter: and their indifference towards JanewhennotimmediatelybeforethemrestoredElizabethtotheenjoymentofallherfor-merdislike.Theirbrother,indeed,wastheonlyoneofthepartywhomshecouldregardwithany

complacency. His anxiety for Jane was evident, and his attentions to herself mostpleasing, and theypreventedher feelingherself somuchan intruder as shebelievedshewasconsideredby theothers.Shehadvery littlenotice fromanybuthim.MissBingleywasengrossedbyMr.Darcy,hersisterscarcelylessso;andasforMr.Hurst,bywhomElizabethsat,hewasanindolentman,wholivedonlytoeat,drink,andplayatcards;who,whenhefoundhertopreferaplaindishtoaragout,hadnothingtosaytoher.Whendinnerwasover,shereturneddirectlytoJane,andMissBingleybeganabus-

ingherassoonasshewasoutoftheroom.Hermannerswerepronouncedtobeverybadindeed,amixtureofprideandimpertinence;shehadnoconversation,nostyle,nobeauty.Mrs.Hurstthoughtthesame,andadded:“Shehasnothing,inshort,torecommendher,butbeinganexcellentwalker.Ishall

neverforgetherappearancethismorning.Shereallylookedalmostwild.”“Shedid,indeed,Louisa.Icouldhardlykeepmycountenance.Verynonsensicalto

comeatall!Whymustshebescamperingaboutthecountry,becausehersisterhadacold?Herhair,sountidy,soblowsy!”“Yes,andherpetticoat;Ihopeyousawherpetticoat,sixinchesdeepinmud,Iam

absolutelycertain;andthegownwhichhadbeenletdowntohideitnotdoingitsof-fice.”“Yourpicturemaybeveryexact,Louisa,”saidBingley;“butthiswasalllostupon

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me.IthoughtMissElizabethBennetlookedremarkablywellwhenshecameintotheroomthismorning.Herdirtypetticoatquiteescapedmynotice.”“Youobservedit,Mr.Darcy,Iamsure,”saidMissBingley;“andIaminclinedto

thinkthatyouwouldnotwishtoseeyoursistermakesuchanexhibition.”“Certainlynot.”“Towalkthreemiles,orfourmiles,orfivemiles,orwhateveritis,aboveherankles

indirt,andalone,quitealone!Whatcouldshemeanbyit?Itseemstometoshowanabominablesortofconceitedindependence,amostcountry-townindifferencetodeco-rum.”“Itshowsanaffectionforhersisterthatisverypleasing,”saidBingley.“Iamafraid,Mr.Darcy,”observedMissBingleyinahalfwhisper,“thatthisadven-

turehasratheraffectedyouradmirationofherfineeyes.”“Notatall,”hereplied;“theywerebrightenedbytheexercise.”Ashortpausefol-

lowedthisspeech,andMrs.Hurstbeganagain:“IhaveanexcessiveregardforMissJaneBennet,sheisreallyaverysweetgirl,and

Iwishwithallmyheartshewerewellsettled.Butwithsuchafatherandmother,andsuchlowconnections,Iamafraidthereisnochanceofit.”“IthinkIhaveheardyousaythattheiruncleisanattorneyinMeryton.”“Yes;andtheyhaveanother,wholivessomewherenearCheapside.”“Thatiscapital,”addedhersister,andtheybothlaughedheartily.“IftheyhadunclesenoughtofillallCheapside,”criedBingley,“itwouldnotmake

themonejotlessagreeable.”“Butitmustverymateriallylessentheirchanceofmarryingmenofanyconsidera-

tionintheworld,”repliedDarcy.TothisspeechBingleymadenoanswer;buthissistersgave it theirheartyassent,

andindulgedtheirmirthforsometimeattheexpenseoftheirdearfriend’svulgarrela-tions.With a renewal of tenderness, however, they returned to her roomon leaving the

dining-parlour,andsatwithhertillsummonedtocoffee.Shewasstillverypoorly,andElizabethwouldnotquitheratall,tilllateintheevening,whenshehadthecomfortofseeinghersleep,andwhenitseemedtoherratherrightthanpleasantthatsheshouldgodownstairsherself.Onenteringthedrawing-roomshefoundthewholepartyatloo,andwasimmediatelyinvitedtojointhem;butsuspectingthemtobeplayinghighshedeclined it, andmaking her sister the excuse, said shewould amuse herself for theshort timeshecouldstaybelow,withabook.Mr.Hurst lookedatherwithastonish-ment.

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“Doyoupreferreadingtocards?”saidhe;“thatisrathersingular.”“MissElizaBennet,”saidMissBingley,“despisescards.Sheisagreatreader,and

hasnopleasureinanythingelse.”“Ideserveneithersuchpraisenorsuchcensure,”criedElizabeth;“Iamnotagreat

reader,andIhavepleasureinmanythings.”“Innursingyoursister Iamsureyouhavepleasure,” saidBingley;“and Ihope it

willbesoonincreasedbyseeingherquitewell.”Elizabeth thankedhim fromherheart, and thenwalked towards the tablewherea

fewbookswerelying.Heimmediatelyofferedtofetchherothers—allthathislibraryafforded.“AndIwishmycollectionwerelargerforyourbenefitandmyowncredit;butIam

anidlefellow,andthoughIhavenotmany,IhavemorethanIeverlookedinto.”Elizabethassuredhimthatshecouldsuitherselfperfectlywiththoseintheroom.“I amastonished,” saidMissBingley, “thatmy father shouldhave left so small a

collectionofbooks.WhatadelightfullibraryyouhaveatPemberley,Mr.Darcy!”“Itoughttobegood,”hereplied,“ithasbeentheworkofmanygenerations.”“Andthenyouhaveaddedsomuchtoityourself,youarealwaysbuyingbooks.”“Icannotcomprehendtheneglectofafamilylibraryinsuchdaysasthese.”“Neglect! Iamsureyouneglectnothing thatcanadd to thebeautiesof thatnoble

place.Charles,whenyoubuildyourhouse,IwishitmaybehalfasdelightfulasPem-berley.”“Iwishitmay.”“But Iwould reallyadviseyou tomakeyourpurchase in thatneighbourhood,and

takePemberleyforakindofmodel.ThereisnotafinercountyinEnglandthanDer-byshire.”“Withallmyheart;IwillbuyPemberleyitselfifDarcywillsellit.”“Iamtalkingofpossibilities,Charles.”“Uponmyword,Caroline,IshouldthinkitmorepossibletogetPemberleybypur-

chasethanbyimitation.”Elizabethwassomuchcaughtwithwhatpassed,astoleaveherverylittleattention

forherbook;andsoon laying itwhollyaside, shedrewnear thecard-table, andsta-tionedherselfbetweenMr.Bingleyandhiseldestsister,toobservethegame.“IsMissDarcymuchgrownsince thespring?”saidMissBingley;“willshebeas

tallasIam?”“Ithinkshewill.SheisnowaboutMissElizabethBennet’sheight,orrathertaller.”

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“HowIlongtoseeheragain!Inevermetwithanybodywhodelightedmesomuch.Suchacountenance,suchmanners!Andsoextremelyaccomplishedforherage!Herperformanceonthepianoforteisexquisite.”“Itisamazingtome,”saidBingley,“howyoungladiescanhavepatiencetobeso

veryaccomplishedastheyallare.”“Allyoungladiesaccomplished!MydearCharles,whatdoyoumean?”“Yes, all of them, I think. They all paint tables, cover screens, and net purses. I

scarcelyknowanyonewhocannotdoallthis,andIamsureIneverheardayoungladyspokenofforthefirsttime,withoutbeinginformedthatshewasveryaccomplished.”“Your listof thecommonextentofaccomplishments,”saidDarcy,“has toomuch

truth.Thewordisappliedtomanyawomanwhodeservesitnootherwisethanbynet-tingapurseorcoveringascreen.ButIamveryfarfromagreeingwithyouinyoures-timationofladiesingeneral.Icannotboastofknowingmorethanhalf-a-dozen,inthewholerangeofmyacquaintance,thatarereallyaccomplished.”“NorI,Iamsure,”saidMissBingley.“Then,”observedElizabeth,“youmustcomprehendagreatdealinyourideaofan

accomplishedwoman.”“Yes,Idocomprehendagreatdealinit.”“Oh!certainly,”criedhisfaithfulassistant,“noonecanbereallyesteemedaccom-

plishedwhodoesnotgreatlysurpasswhatisusuallymetwith.Awomanmusthaveathoroughknowledgeofmusic,singing,drawing,dancing,andthemodernlanguages,todeservetheword;andbesidesallthis,shemustpossessacertainsomethinginherairandmannerofwalking,thetoneofhervoice,heraddressandexpressions,orthewordwillbebuthalf-deserved.”“All thisshemustpossess,”addedDarcy,“and toall thisshemustyetaddsome-

thingmoresubstantial,intheimprovementofhermindbyextensivereading.”“Iamnolongersurprisedatyourknowingonlysixaccomplishedwomen.Irather

wondernowatyourknowingany.”“Areyousosevereuponyourownsexastodoubtthepossibilityofallthis?”“Ineversawsuchawoman.Ineversawsuchcapacity,andtaste,andapplication,

andelegance,asyoudescribeunited.”Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley both cried out against the injustice of her implied

doubt,andwerebothprotesting that theyknewmanywomenwhoanswered thisde-scription,whenMr.Hurstcalledthemtoorder,withbittercomplaintsoftheirinatten-tiontowhatwasgoingforward.Asallconversationwastherebyatanend,Elizabethsoonafterwardslefttheroom.“ElizabethBennet,”saidMissBingley,whenthedoorwasclosedonher,“isoneof

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thoseyoungladieswhoseektorecommendthemselvestotheothersexbyundervalu-ingtheirown;andwithmanymen,Idaresay,itsucceeds.But,inmyopinion,itisapaltrydevice,averymeanart.”“Undoubtedly,”repliedDarcy,towhomthisremarkwaschieflyaddressed,“thereis

ameannessinall theartswhichladiessometimescondescendtoemployforcaptiva-tion.Whateverbearsaffinitytocunningisdespicable.”MissBingleywasnotsoentirelysatisfiedwiththisreplyastocontinuethesubject.Elizabethjoinedthemagainonlytosaythathersisterwasworse,andthatshecould

not leaveher.BingleyurgedMr.Jonesbeingsentfor immediately;whilehissisters,convincedthatnocountryadvicecouldbeofanyservice,recommendedanexpresstotownforoneofthemosteminentphysicians.Thisshewouldnothearof;butshewasnot sounwilling to complywith theirbrother’sproposal; and itwas settled thatMr.Jonesshouldbesentforearlyinthemorning,ifMissBennetwerenotdecidedlybet-ter. Bingleywas quite uncomfortable; his sisters declared that theyweremiserable.Theysolacedtheirwretchedness,however,byduetsaftersupper,whilehecouldfindnobetterrelieftohisfeelingsthanbygivinghishousekeeperdirectionsthateveryat-tentionmightbepaidtothesickladyandhersister.

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Chapter9

Elizabethpassedthechiefofthenightinhersister’sroom,andinthemorninghadthepleasureofbeingable tosenda tolerableanswer to the inquirieswhichsheveryearlyreceivedfromMr.Bingleybyahousemaid,andsometimeafterwardsfromthetwoelegantladieswhowaitedonhissisters.Inspiteofthisamendment,however,sherequestedtohaveanotesenttoLongbourn,desiringhermothertovisitJane,andformherownjudgementofhersituation.Thenotewasimmediatelydispatched,anditscon-tentsasquicklycompliedwith.Mrs.Bennet,accompaniedbyhertwoyoungestgirls,reachedNetherfieldsoonafterthefamilybreakfast.HadshefoundJaneinanyapparentdanger,Mrs.Bennetwouldhavebeenverymis-

erable;butbeingsatisfiedonseeingherthatherillnesswasnotalarming,shehadnowish of her recovering immediately, as her restoration to healthwould probably re-moveherfromNetherfield.Shewouldnotlisten,therefore,toherdaughter’sproposalofbeingcarriedhome;neitherdid theapothecary,whoarrivedabout thesame time,thinkitatalladvisable.AftersittingalittlewhilewithJane,onMissBingley’sappear-anceandinvitation,themotherandthreedaughtersallattendedherintothebreakfastparlour.Bingleymet themwith hopes thatMrs.Bennet had not foundMissBennetworsethansheexpected.“IndeedIhave,sir,”washeranswer.“Sheisagreatdeal tooill tobemoved.Mr.

Jonessayswemustnotthinkofmovingher.Wemusttrespassalittlelongeronyourkindness.”“Removed!”criedBingley.“Itmustnotbethoughtof.Mysister,Iamsure,willnot

hearofherremoval.”“You may depend upon it, Madam,” saidMiss Bingley, with cold civility, “that

MissBennetwillreceiveeverypossibleattentionwhilesheremainswithus.”Mrs.Bennetwasprofuseinheracknowledgments.“I am sure,” she added, “if itwas not for such good friends I do not knowwhat

wouldbecomeofher,forsheisveryillindeed,andsuffersavastdeal,thoughwiththegreatestpatienceintheworld,whichisalwaysthewaywithher,forshehas,withoutexception,thesweetesttemperIhaveevermetwith.Ioftentellmyothergirlstheyarenothing toher.Youhave a sweet roomhere,Mr.Bingley, and a charmingprospect

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overthegravelwalk.IdonotknowaplaceinthecountrythatisequaltoNetherfield.Youwillnotthinkofquittingitinahurry,Ihope,thoughyouhavebutashortlease.”“WhateverIdoisdoneinahurry,”repliedhe;“andthereforeifIshouldresolveto

quitNetherfield,Ishouldprobablybeoffinfiveminutes.Atpresent,however,Icon-sidermyselfasquitefixedhere.”“ThatisexactlywhatIshouldhavesupposedofyou,”saidElizabeth.“Youbegintocomprehendme,doyou?”criedhe,turningtowardsher.“Oh!yes—Iunderstandyouperfectly.”“Iwish Imight take this for a compliment;but tobe soeasily seen through I am

afraidispitiful.”“Thatisasithappens.Itdoesnotfollowthatadeep,intricatecharacterismoreor

lessestimablethansuchaoneasyours.”“Lizzy,”criedhermother,“rememberwhereyouare,anddonotrunoninthewild

mannerthatyouaresufferedtodoathome.”“Ididnotknowbefore,”continuedBingleyimmediately,“thatyouwereastudierof

character.Itmustbeanamusingstudy.”“Yes,but intricatecharactersare themostamusing.Theyhaveat least thatadvan-

tage.”“The country,” said Darcy, “can in general supply but a few subjects for such a

study. Inacountryneighbourhoodyoumoveinaveryconfinedandunvaryingsoci-ety.”“Butpeoplethemselvesaltersomuch,thatthereissomethingnewtobeobservedin

themforever.”“Yes,indeed,”criedMrs.Bennet,offendedbyhismannerofmentioningacountry

neighbourhood.“Iassureyouthereisquiteasmuchofthatgoingoninthecountryasintown.”Everybody was surprised, and Darcy, after looking at her for a moment, turned

silentlyaway.Mrs.Bennet,whofanciedshehadgainedacompletevictoryoverhim,continuedhertriumph.“IcannotseethatLondonhasanygreatadvantageoverthecountry,formypart,ex-

cept theshopsandpublicplaces.Thecountry isavastdealpleasanter, is itnot,Mr.Bingley?”“WhenIaminthecountry,”hereplied,“Ineverwishtoleaveit;andwhenIamin

townitisprettymuchthesame.Theyhaveeachtheiradvantages,andIcanbeequallyhappyineither.”“Aye—thatisbecauseyouhavetherightdisposition.Butthatgentleman,”looking

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atDarcy,“seemedtothinkthecountrywasnothingatall.”“Indeed,Mamma,youaremistaken,”saidElizabeth,blushingforhermother.“You

quitemistookMr.Darcy.Heonlymeantthattherewasnotsuchavarietyofpeopletobemetwithinthecountryasinthetown,whichyoumustacknowledgetobetrue.”“Certainly,mydear,nobodysaidtherewere;butastonotmeetingwithmanypeo-

ple in thisneighbourhood, Ibelieve thereare fewneighbourhoods larger. Iknowwedinewithfour-and-twentyfamilies.”Nothing but concern forElizabeth could enableBingley to keep his countenance.

Hissisterwaslessdelicate,anddirectedhereyestowardsMr.Darcywithaveryex-pressive smile. Elizabeth, for the sake of saying something that might turn hermother’sthoughts,nowaskedherifCharlotteLucashadbeenatLongbournsincehercomingaway.“Yes,shecalledyesterdaywithher father.WhatanagreeablemanSirWilliamis,

Mr.Bingley,isnothe?Somuchthemanoffashion!Sogenteelandeasy!Hehasal-wayssomethingtosaytoeverybody.Thatismyideaofgoodbreeding;andthoseper-sonswhofancythemselvesveryimportant,andneveropentheirmouths,quitemistakethematter.”“DidCharlottedinewithyou?”“No,shewouldgohome.Ifancyshewaswantedaboutthemince-pies.Formypart,

Mr. Bingley, I always keep servants that can do their ownwork;my daughters arebroughtupverydifferently.Buteverybodyistojudgeforthemselves,andtheLucasesareaverygoodsortofgirls,Iassureyou.Itisapitytheyarenothandsome!NotthatIthinkCharlottesoveryplain—butthensheisourparticularfriend.”“Sheseemsaverypleasantyoungwoman.”“Oh!dear,yes;butyoumustownshe isveryplain.LadyLucasherselfhasoften

saidso,andenviedmeJane’sbeauty.Idonotliketoboastofmyownchild,buttobesure,Jane—onedoesnotoftenseeanybodybetterlooking.Itiswhateverybodysays.Ido not trustmy own partiality.When shewas only fifteen, therewas aman atmybrotherGardiner’sintownsomuchinlovewithherthatmysister-in-lawwassurehewouldmakeheranofferbeforewecameaway.But,however,hedidnot.Perhapshethoughther tooyoung.However,hewrote someversesonher, andverypretty theywere.”“Andsoendedhisaffection,” saidElizabeth impatiently.“Therehasbeenmanya

one,Ifancy,overcomeinthesameway.Iwonderwhofirstdiscoveredtheefficacyofpoetryindrivingawaylove!”“Ihavebeenusedtoconsiderpoetryasthefoodoflove,”saidDarcy.“Ofafine,stout,healthyloveitmay.Everythingnourisheswhatisstrongalready.

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Butifitbeonlyaslight,thinsortofinclination,Iamconvincedthatonegoodsonnetwillstarveitentirelyaway.”Darcyonlysmiled;andthegeneralpausewhichensuedmadeElizabethtremblelest

hermothershouldbeexposingherselfagain.Shelongedtospeak,butcouldthinkofnothingtosay;andafterashortsilenceMrs.BennetbeganrepeatingherthankstoMr.Bingley forhiskindness toJane,withanapologyfor troublinghimalsowithLizzy.Mr.Bingleywasunaffectedlycivil inhisanswer,andforcedhisyoungersistertobecivilalso,andsaywhattheoccasionrequired.Sheperformedherpartindeedwithoutmuch graciousness, butMrs. Bennetwas satisfied, and soon afterwards ordered hercarriage.Uponthissignal,theyoungestofherdaughtersputherselfforward.Thetwogirlshadbeenwhisperingtoeachotherduringthewholevisit,andtheresultofitwas,thattheyoungestshouldtaxMr.BingleywithhavingpromisedonhisfirstcomingintothecountrytogiveaballatNetherfield.Lydiawasastout,well-growngirloffifteen,withafinecomplexionandgood-hu-

moured countenance; a favourite with hermother, whose affection had brought herintopublicatanearlyage.Shehadhighanimalspirits,andasortofnaturalself-conse-quence,whichtheattentionoftheofficers,towhomheruncle’sgooddinners,andherown easy manners recommended her, had increased into assurance. She was veryequal, therefore, to addressMr. Bingley on the subject of the ball, and abruptly re-mindedhimof his promise; adding, that itwouldbe themost shameful thing in theworld if he did not keep it.His answer to this sudden attackwas delightful to theirmother’sear:“Iamperfectlyready,Iassureyou,tokeepmyengagement;andwhenyoursisteris

recovered,youshall,ifyouplease,nametheverydayoftheball.Butyouwouldnotwishtobedancingwhensheisill.”Lydiadeclaredherselfsatisfied.“Oh!yes—itwouldbemuchbettertowaittillJane

waswell,andbythattimemostlikelyCaptainCarterwouldbeatMerytonagain.Andwhenyouhavegivenyourball,”sheadded,“Ishall insistontheirgivingonealso.IshalltellColonelForsteritwillbequiteashameifhedoesnot.”Mrs. Bennet and her daughters then departed, and Elizabeth returned instantly to

Jane,leavingherownandherrelations’behaviourtotheremarksofthetwoladiesandMr.Darcy;thelatterofwhom,however,couldnotbeprevailedontojoinintheircen-sureofher,inspiteofallMissBingley’switticismsonfineeyes.

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Chapter10

Thedaypassedmuchasthedaybeforehaddone.Mrs.HurstandMissBingleyhadspent somehoursof themorningwith the invalid,whocontinued, thoughslowly, tomend;and in theeveningElizabeth joined theirparty in thedrawing-room.The loo-table,however,didnotappear.Mr.Darcywaswriting,andMissBingley,seatednearhim,waswatchingtheprogressofhisletterandrepeatedlycallingoffhisattentionbymessagestohissister.Mr.HurstandMr.Bingleywereatpiquet,andMrs.Hurstwasobservingtheirgame.Elizabeth took up some needlework, andwas sufficiently amused in attending to

whatpassedbetweenDarcyandhiscompanion.Theperpetualcommendationsofthelady,eitheronhishandwriting,orontheevennessofhislines,oronthelengthofhisletter,withtheperfectunconcernwithwhichherpraiseswerereceived,formedacuri-ousdialogue,andwasexactlyinunionwithheropinionofeach.“HowdelightedMissDarcywillbetoreceivesuchaletter!”Hemadenoanswer.“Youwriteuncommonlyfast.”“Youaremistaken.Iwriteratherslowly.”“Howmanylettersyoumusthaveoccasiontowriteinthecourseofayear!Letters

ofbusiness,too!HowodiousIshouldthinkthem!”“Itisfortunate,then,thattheyfalltomylotinsteadofyours.”“PraytellyoursisterthatIlongtoseeher.”“Ihavealreadytoldhersoonce,byyourdesire.”“Iamafraidyoudonotlikeyourpen.Letmemenditforyou.Imendpensremark-

ablywell.”“Thankyou—butIalwaysmendmyown.”“Howcanyoucontrivetowritesoeven?”Hewassilent.“TellyoursisterIamdelightedtohearofherimprovementontheharp;andpraylet

herknowthatIamquite inraptureswithherbeautiful littledesignfora table,andI

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thinkitinfinitelysuperiortoMissGrantley’s.”“WillyougivemeleavetodeferyourrapturestillIwriteagain?AtpresentIhave

notroomtodothemjustice.”“Oh! it is ofnoconsequence. I shall seeher in January.Butdoyoualwayswrite

suchcharminglongletterstoher,Mr.Darcy?”“They are generally long; butwhether always charming it is not forme to deter-

mine.”“Itisarulewithme,thatapersonwhocanwritealongletterwithease,cannotwrite

ill.”“ThatwillnotdoforacomplimenttoDarcy,Caroline,”criedherbrother,“because

hedoesnotwritewithease.Hestudiestoomuchforwordsoffoursyllables.Donotyou,Darcy?”“Mystyleofwritingisverydifferentfromyours.”“Oh!”criedMissBingley,“Charleswritesinthemostcarelesswayimaginable.He

leavesouthalfhiswords,andblotstherest.”“My ideas flowso rapidly that Ihavenot time toexpress them—bywhichmeans

myletterssometimesconveynoideasatalltomycorrespondents.”“Yourhumility,Mr.Bingley,”saidElizabeth,“mustdisarmreproof.”“Nothingismoredeceitful,”saidDarcy,“thantheappearanceofhumility.Itisoften

onlycarelessnessofopinion,andsometimesanindirectboast.”“Andwhichofthetwodoyoucallmylittlerecentpieceofmodesty?”“Theindirectboast;foryouarereallyproudofyourdefectsinwriting,becauseyou

considerthemasproceedingfromarapidityofthoughtandcarelessnessofexecution,which,ifnotestimable,youthinkatleasthighlyinteresting.Thepowerofdoingany-thingwithquicknessisalwaysprizedmuchbythepossessor,andoftenwithoutanyat-tentiontotheimperfectionoftheperformance.WhenyoutoldMrs.Bennetthismorn-ingthatifyoueverresolveduponquittingNetherfieldyoushouldbegoneinfivemin-utes,youmeantittobeasortofpanegyric,ofcomplimenttoyourself—andyetwhatistheresoverylaudableinaprecipitancewhichmustleaveverynecessarybusinessun-done,andcanbeofnorealadvantagetoyourselforanyoneelse?”“Nay,”criedBingley,“thisistoomuch,torememberatnightallthefoolishthings

thatweresaidinthemorning.Andyet,uponmyhonour,IbelievewhatIsaidofmy-selftobetrue,andIbelieveitatthismoment.Atleast,therefore,Ididnotassumethecharacterofneedlessprecipitancemerelytoshowoffbeforetheladies.”“Idaresayyoubelievedit;butIambynomeansconvincedthatyouwouldbegone

withsuchcelerity.YourconductwouldbequiteasdependentonchanceasthatofanymanIknow;andif,asyouweremountingyourhorse,afriendweretosay,‘Bingley,

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youhadbetterstaytillnextweek,’youwouldprobablydoit,youwouldprobablynotgo—andatanotherword,mightstayamonth.”“Youhaveonlyprovedbythis,”criedElizabeth,“thatMr.Bingleydidnotdojus-

ticetohisowndisposition.Youhaveshownhimoffnowmuchmorethanhedidhim-self.”“Iamexceedinglygratified,”saidBingley,“byyourconvertingwhatmyfriendsays

intoacomplimentonthesweetnessofmytemper.ButIamafraidyouaregivingitaturnwhichthatgentlemandidbynomeansintend;forhewouldcertainlythinkbetterofme,ifundersuchacircumstanceIweretogiveaflatdenial,andrideoffasfastasIcould.”“WouldMr.Darcythenconsidertherashnessofyouroriginalintentionsasatoned

forbyyourobstinacyinadheringtoit?”“Uponmyword,Icannotexactlyexplainthematter;Darcymustspeakforhimself.”“Youexpectmetoaccountforopinionswhichyouchoosetocallmine,butwhichI

haveneveracknowledged.Allowingthecase,however,tostandaccordingtoyourrep-resentation,youmustremember,MissBennet,thatthefriendwhoissupposedtode-sirehis return to thehouse,and thedelayofhisplan,hasmerelydesired it,asked itwithoutofferingoneargumentinfavourofitspropriety.”“Toyieldreadily—easily—tothepersuasionofafriendisnomeritwithyou.”“Toyieldwithoutconvictionisnocomplimenttotheunderstandingofeither.”“Youappeartome,Mr.Darcy,toallownothingfortheinfluenceoffriendshipand

affection.Aregardfortherequesterwouldoftenmakeonereadilyyieldtoarequest,withoutwaitingforargumentstoreasononeintoit.IamnotparticularlyspeakingofsuchacaseasyouhavesupposedaboutMr.Bingley.Wemayaswellwait,perhaps,till the circumstance occurs beforewe discuss the discretion of his behaviour there-upon.Butingeneralandordinarycasesbetweenfriendandfriend,whereoneofthemis desired by the other to change a resolution of no very greatmoment, should youthinkillofthatpersonforcomplyingwiththedesire,withoutwaitingtobearguedintoit?”“Willitnotbeadvisable,beforeweproceedonthissubject,toarrangewithrather

moreprecisionthedegreeofimportancewhichistoappertaintothisrequest,aswellasthedegreeofintimacysubsistingbetweentheparties?”“By allmeans,” criedBingley; “let us hear all the particulars, not forgetting their

comparative height and size; for that will havemore weight in the argument,MissBennet,thanyoumaybeawareof.Iassureyou,thatifDarcywerenotsuchagreattallfellow,incomparisonwithmyself,Ishouldnotpayhimhalfsomuchdeference.Ide-clare Idonotknowamoreawfulobject thanDarcy,onparticularoccasions,and inparticularplaces;athisownhouseespecially,andofaSundayevening,whenhehas

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nothingtodo.”Mr.Darcysmiled;butElizabeth thoughtshecouldperceive thathewas ratherof-

fended,andthereforecheckedherlaugh.MissBingleywarmlyresentedtheindignityhehadreceived,inanexpostulationwithherbrotherfortalkingsuchnonsense.“Iseeyourdesign,Bingley,”saidhisfriend.“Youdislikeanargument,andwantto

silencethis.”“PerhapsIdo.Argumentsaretoomuchlikedisputes.IfyouandMissBennetwill

deferyourstillIamoutof theroom,Ishallbeverythankful;andthenyoumaysaywhateveryoulikeofme.”“What you ask,” said Elizabeth, “is no sacrifice onmy side; andMr. Darcy had

muchbetterfinishhisletter.”Mr.Darcytookheradvice,anddidfinishhisletter.Whenthatbusinesswasover,heappliedtoMissBingleyandElizabethforanindul-

genceofsomemusic.MissBingleymovedwithsomealacritytothepianoforte;and,afterapoliterequestthatElizabethwouldleadthewaywhichtheotheraspolitelyandmoreearnestlynegatived,sheseatedherself.Mrs.Hurstsangwithhersister,andwhiletheywerethusemployed,Elizabethcould

nothelpobserving,asshe turnedoversomemusic-books that layon the instrument,howfrequentlyMr.Darcy’seyeswerefixedonher.Shehardlyknewhowtosupposethatshecouldbeanobjectofadmirationtosogreataman;andyetthatheshouldlookatherbecausehedislikedher,wasstillmorestrange.Shecouldonly imagine,how-ever,atlastthatshedrewhisnoticebecausetherewassomethingmorewrongandrep-rehensible,accordingtohisideasofright,thaninanyotherpersonpresent.Thesuppo-sitiondidnotpainher.Shelikedhimtoolittletocareforhisapprobation.AfterplayingsomeItaliansongs,MissBingleyvariedthecharmbyalivelyScotch

air;andsoonafterwardsMr.Darcy,drawingnearElizabeth,saidtoher:“Donotyou feelagreat inclination,MissBennet, to seizesuchanopportunityof

dancingareel?”Shesmiled,butmadenoanswer.Herepeatedthequestion,withsomesurpriseather

silence.“Oh!”saidshe,“Iheardyoubefore,butIcouldnotimmediatelydeterminewhatto

sayinreply.Youwantedme,Iknow,tosay‘Yes,’thatyoumighthavethepleasureofdespisingmy taste;but I alwaysdelight inoverthrowing thosekindof schemes,andcheatingapersonoftheirpremeditatedcontempt.Ihave,therefore,madeupmymindtotellyou,thatIdonotwanttodanceareelatall—andnowdespisemeifyoudare.”“IndeedIdonotdare.”Elizabeth, having rather expected to affronthim,was amazedat his gallantry; but

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therewasamixtureofsweetnessandarchnessinhermannerwhichmadeitdifficultforhertoaffrontanybody;andDarcyhadneverbeensobewitchedbyanywomanashewasbyher.Hereallybelieved,thatwereitnotfortheinferiorityofherconnections,heshouldbeinsomedanger.MissBingleysaw,orsuspectedenoughtobejealous;andhergreatanxietyforthe

recoveryofherdearfriendJanereceivedsomeassistancefromherdesireofgettingridofElizabeth.Sheoften tried to provokeDarcy intodislikingher guest, by talkingof their sup-

posedmarriage,andplanninghishappinessinsuchanalliance.“Ihope,”saidshe,astheywerewalkingtogetherintheshrubberythenextday,“you

willgiveyourmother-in-lawafewhints,whenthisdesirableeventtakesplace,astotheadvantageofholdingher tongue;andifyoucancompass it,docure theyoungergirlsofrunningafterofficers.And,ifImaymentionsodelicateasubject,endeavourtocheck that little something, bordering on conceit and impertinence,which your ladypossesses.”“Haveyouanythingelsetoproposeformydomesticfelicity?”“Oh!yes.DolettheportraitsofyouruncleandauntPhillipsbeplacedinthegallery

atPemberley.Putthemnexttoyourgreat-unclethejudge.Theyareinthesamepro-fession,youknow,only indifferent lines.As foryourElizabeth’spicture,youmustnothaveittaken,forwhatpaintercoulddojusticetothosebeautifuleyes?”“Itwouldnotbeeasy,indeed,tocatchtheirexpression,buttheircolourandshape,

andtheeyelashes,soremarkablyfine,mightbecopied.”AtthatmomenttheyweremetfromanotherwalkbyMrs.HurstandElizabethher-

self.“Ididnotknowthatyouintendedtowalk,”saidMissBingley,insomeconfusion,

lesttheyhadbeenoverheard.“Youusedusabominablyill,”answeredMrs.Hurst,“runningawaywithouttelling

usthatyouwerecomingout.”ThentakingthedisengagedarmofMr.Darcy,sheleftElizabethtowalkbyherself.

Thepathjustadmittedthree.Mr.Darcyfelttheirrudeness,andimmediatelysaid:“Thiswalkisnotwideenoughforourparty.Wehadbettergointotheavenue.”ButElizabeth,whohadnottheleastinclinationtoremainwiththem,laughinglyan-

swered:“No,no;staywhereyouare.Youarecharminglygrouped,andappeartouncommon

advantage.Thepicturesquewouldbespoiltbyadmittingafourth.Good-bye.”Shethenrangailyoff,rejoicingassherambledabout,inthehopeofbeingathome

again in adayor two. Janewas already somuch recoveredas to intend leavingher

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roomforacoupleofhoursthatevening.

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Chapter11

Whentheladiesremovedafterdinner,Elizabethranuptohersister,andseeingherwellguardedfromcold,attendedherintothedrawing-room,whereshewaswelcomedbyher two friendswithmanyprofessionsofpleasure; andElizabethhadnever seenthemsoagreeableastheywereduringthehourwhichpassedbeforethegentlemenap-peared.Theirpowersofconversationwereconsiderable.Theycoulddescribeanenter-tainmentwithaccuracy, relate ananecdotewithhumour, and laughat their acquain-tancewithspirit.Butwhenthegentlemenentered,Janewasnolongerthefirstobject;MissBingley’s

eyeswereinstantlyturnedtowardDarcy,andshehadsomethingtosaytohimbeforehehadadvancedmanysteps.HeaddressedhimselftoMissBennet,withapolitecon-gratulation;Mr.Hurstalsomadeheraslightbow,andsaidhewas“veryglad;”butdif-fusenessandwarmthremainedforBingley’ssalutation.Hewasfullofjoyandatten-tion.Thefirsthalf-hourwasspentinpilingupthefire,lestsheshouldsufferfromthechangeofroom;andsheremovedathisdesiretotheothersideofthefireplace, thatshemightbe further from thedoor.He thensatdownbyher,and talkedscarcely toanyoneelse.Elizabeth,atworkintheoppositecorner,sawitallwithgreatdelight.Whenteawasover,Mr.Hurstremindedhissister-in-lawof thecard-table—but in

vain.ShehadobtainedprivateintelligencethatMr.Darcydidnotwishforcards;andMr.Hurstsoonfoundevenhisopenpetitionrejected.Sheassuredhimthatnoonein-tendedtoplay,andthesilenceofthewholepartyonthesubjectseemedtojustifyher.Mr.Hursthadthereforenothingtodo,buttostretchhimselfononeofthesofasandgotosleep.Darcytookupabook;MissBingleydidthesame;andMrs.Hurst,principallyoccupiedinplayingwithherbraceletsandrings,joinednowandtheninherbrother’sconversationwithMissBennet.Miss Bingley’s attention was quite as much engaged in watching Mr. Darcy’s

progressthroughhisbook,asinreadingherown;andshewasperpetuallyeithermak-ingsomeinquiry,orlookingathispage.Shecouldnotwinhim,however,toanycon-versation;hemerelyansweredherquestion,andreadon.Atlength,quiteexhaustedbytheattempt tobeamusedwithherownbook,which shehadonlychosenbecause itwasthesecondvolumeofhis,shegaveagreatyawnandsaid,“Howpleasantitistospendan evening in thisway! I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading!

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Howmuchsooneronetiresofanythingthanofabook!WhenIhaveahouseofmyown,IshallbemiserableifIhavenotanexcellentlibrary.”Noonemadeanyreply.Shethenyawnedagain,threwasideherbook,andcasther

eyesroundtheroominquestforsomeamusement;whenhearingherbrothermention-ingaballtoMissBennet,sheturnedsuddenlytowardshimandsaid:“Bythebye,Charles,areyoureallyseriousinmeditatingadanceatNetherfield?I

would advise you, before you determine on it, to consult the wishes of the presentparty;Iammuchmistakenif therearenotsomeamongustowhomaballwouldberatherapunishmentthanapleasure.”“IfyoumeanDarcy,”criedherbrother,“hemaygotobed,ifhechooses,beforeit

begins—butasfortheball,itisquiteasettledthing;andassoonasNichollshasmadewhitesoupenough,Ishallsendroundmycards.”“Ishouldlikeballsinfinitelybetter,”shereplied,“iftheywerecarriedoninadiffer-

entmanner;butthereissomethinginsufferablytediousintheusualprocessofsuchameeting. It would surely be much more rational if conversation instead of dancingweremadetheorderoftheday.”“Muchmorerational,mydearCaroline,Idaresay,butitwouldnotbenearsomuch

likeaball.”MissBingleymadenoanswer,andsoonafterwardsshegotupandwalkedaboutthe

room.Her figurewas elegant, and shewalkedwell; but Darcy, at whom it was allaimed,wasstillinflexiblystudious.Inthedesperationofherfeelings,sheresolvedononeeffortmore,and,turningtoElizabeth,said:“Miss Eliza Bennet, letme persuade you to followmy example, and take a turn

abouttheroom.Iassureyouitisveryrefreshingaftersittingsolonginoneattitude.”Elizabethwas surprised,but agreed to it immediately.MissBingley succeededno

lessintherealobjectofhercivility;Mr.Darcylookedup.HewasasmuchawaketothenoveltyofattentioninthatquarterasElizabethherselfcouldbe,andunconsciouslyclosedhisbook.Hewasdirectlyinvitedtojointheirparty,buthedeclinedit,observ-ingthathecouldimaginebuttwomotivesfortheirchoosingtowalkupanddowntheroomtogether,witheitherofwhichmotiveshis joiningthemwouldinterfere.“Whatcouldhemean?Shewasdyingtoknowwhatcouldbehismeaning?”—andaskedEliz-abethwhethershecouldatallunderstandhim?“Notatall,”washeranswer;“butdependuponit,hemeanstobesevereonus,and

oursurestwayofdisappointinghimwillbetoasknothingaboutit.”MissBingley,however,wasincapableofdisappointingMr.Darcyinanything,and

perseveredthereforeinrequiringanexplanationofhistwomotives.“Ihavenot the smallestobjection toexplaining them,” saidhe,as soonas sheal-

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lowedhim tospeak.“Youeitherchoose thismethodofpassing theeveningbecauseyouareineachother’sconfidence,andhavesecretaffairstodiscuss,orbecauseyouareconsciousthatyourfiguresappeartothegreatestadvantageinwalking;ifthefirst,Iwouldbecompletelyinyourway,andifthesecond,IcanadmireyoumuchbetterasIsitbythefire.”“Oh!shocking!”criedMissBingley.“Ineverheardanythingsoabominable.How

shallwepunishhimforsuchaspeech?”“Nothing so easy, if you have but the inclination,” said Elizabeth. “We can all

plague and punish one another. Tease him—laugh at him. Intimate as you are, youmustknowhowitistobedone.”“Butuponmyhonour,Idonot.Idoassureyouthatmyintimacyhasnotyettaught

methat.Teasecalmnessofmannerandpresenceofmind!No,no;Ifeelhemaydefyusthere.Andastolaughter,wewillnotexposeourselves,ifyouplease,byattemptingtolaughwithoutasubject.Mr.Darcymayhughimself.”“Mr.Darcyisnottobelaughedat!”criedElizabeth.“Thatisanuncommonadvan-

tage,anduncommonIhopeitwillcontinue,foritwouldbeagreatlosstometohavemanysuchacquaintances.Idearlylovealaugh.”“MissBingley,”saidhe,“hasgivenmemorecreditthancanbe.Thewisestandthe

bestofmen—nay,thewisestandbestoftheiractions—mayberenderedridiculousbyapersonwhosefirstobjectinlifeisajoke.”“Certainly,”repliedElizabeth—“therearesuchpeople,but IhopeIamnotoneof

them.IhopeIneverridiculewhatiswiseandgood.Folliesandnonsense,whimsandinconsistencies,dodivertme,Iown,andIlaughatthemwheneverIcan.Butthese,Isuppose,arepreciselywhatyouarewithout.”“Perhapsthatisnotpossibleforanyone.Butithasbeenthestudyofmylifetoavoid

thoseweaknesseswhichoftenexposeastrongunderstandingtoridicule.”“Suchasvanityandpride.”“Yes,vanity isaweakness indeed.Butpride—where there isa real superiorityof

mind,pridewillbealwaysundergoodregulation.”Elizabethturnedawaytohideasmile.“YourexaminationofMr.Darcyisover,Ipresume,”saidMissBingley;“andpray

whatistheresult?”“I amperfectly convincedby it thatMr.Darcyhasnodefect.Heowns it himself

withoutdisguise.”“No,”saidDarcy,“Ihavemadenosuchpretension.Ihavefaultsenough,butthey

arenot,Ihope,ofunderstanding.MytemperIdarenotvouchfor.Itis,Ibelieve,toolittleyielding—certainlytoolittlefortheconvenienceoftheworld.Icannotforgetthe

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follies andvicesofothers so soonas I ought, nor their offenses againstmyself.Myfeelingsarenotpuffedaboutwitheveryattempttomovethem.Mytemperwouldper-hapsbecalledresentful.Mygoodopiniononcelost,islostforever.”“That isa failing indeed!”criedElizabeth.“Implacable resentment is a shade ina

character.Butyouhavechosenyourfaultwell.Ireallycannotlaughatit.Youaresafefromme.”“Thereis,Ibelieve,ineverydispositionatendencytosomeparticularevil—anat-

uraldefect,whichnoteventhebesteducationcanovercome.”“Andyourdefectistohateeverybody.”“Andyours,”herepliedwithasmile,“iswillfullytomisunderstandthem.”“Doletushavealittlemusic,”criedMissBingley,tiredofaconversationinwhich

shehadnoshare.“Louisa,youwillnotmindmywakingMr.Hurst?”Hersisterhadnotthesmallestobjection,andthepianofortewasopened;andDarcy,

afterafewmoments’recollection,wasnotsorryforit.HebegantofeelthedangerofpayingElizabethtoomuchattention.

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Chapter12

Inconsequenceofanagreementbetweenthesisters,Elizabethwrotethenextmorn-ingtotheirmother,tobegthatthecarriagemightbesentfortheminthecourseoftheday.ButMrs.Bennet,whohadcalculatedonherdaughters remainingatNetherfieldtill the followingTuesday,whichwould exactly finish Jane’sweek, could not bringherselftoreceivethemwithpleasurebefore.Heranswer,therefore,wasnotpropitious,atleastnottoElizabeth’swishes,forshewasimpatienttogethome.Mrs.Bennetsentthemword that theycouldnotpossiblyhave thecarriagebeforeTuesday;and inherpostscriptitwasadded,thatifMr.Bingleyandhissisterpressedthemtostaylonger,shecouldsparethemverywell.Againststayinglonger,however,Elizabethwasposi-tivelyresolved—nordidshemuchexpectitwouldbeasked;andfearful,onthecon-trary,asbeingconsideredas intruding themselvesneedlessly long,sheurgedJane toborrowMr.Bingley’scarriageimmediately,andatlengthitwassettledthattheirorigi-naldesignof leavingNetherfield thatmorningshouldbementioned,and the requestmade.Thecommunicationexcitedmanyprofessionsofconcern;andenoughwassaidof

wishingthemtostayatleasttillthefollowingdaytoworkonJane;andtillthemorrowtheirgoingwasdeferred.MissBingleywasthensorrythatshehadproposedthedelay,forherjealousyanddislikeofonesistermuchexceededheraffectionfortheother.Themasterofthehouseheardwithrealsorrowthattheyweretogososoon,andre-

peatedlytriedtopersuadeMissBennetthatitwouldnotbesafeforher—thatshewasnotenoughrecovered;butJanewasfirmwhereshefeltherselftoberight.ToMr.Darcyitwaswelcomeintelligence—ElizabethhadbeenatNetherfieldlong

enough.Sheattractedhimmorethanheliked—andMissBingleywasuncivil toher,andmore teasing thanusual tohimself.Hewiselyresolved tobeparticularlycarefulthatnosignofadmirationshouldnowescapehim,nothingthatcouldelevateherwiththehopeof influencinghis felicity;sensible that ifsuchan ideahadbeensuggested,hisbehaviourduringthelastdaymusthavematerialweightinconfirmingorcrushingit.Steadytohispurpose,hescarcelyspoketenwordstoherthroughthewholeofSat-urday, and though theywere at one time left by themselves for half-an-hour, he ad-heredmostconscientiouslytohisbook,andwouldnotevenlookather.

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OnSunday, aftermorning service, the separation, so agreeable to almost all, tookplace.MissBingley’scivilitytoElizabethincreasedatlastveryrapidly,aswellasheraffection for Jane; andwhen they parted, after assuring the latter of the pleasure itwouldalwaysgiveher to seehereitheratLongbournorNetherfield,andembracinghermosttenderly,sheevenshookhandswiththeformer.Elizabethtookleaveofthewholepartyintheliveliestofspirits.Theywerenotwelcomedhomeverycordiallyby theirmother.Mrs.Bennetwon-

deredattheircoming,andthoughtthemverywrongtogivesomuchtrouble,andwassureJanewouldhavecaughtcoldagain.Buttheirfather,thoughverylaconicinhisex-pressionsofpleasure,wasreallygladtoseethem;hehadfelttheirimportanceinthefamilycircle.Theeveningconversation,whentheywereallassembled,hadlostmuchofitsanimation,andalmostallitssensebytheabsenceofJaneandElizabeth.TheyfoundMary,asusual,deep in thestudyof thorough-bassandhumannature;

andhadsomeextractstoadmire,andsomenewobservationsofthreadbaremoralitytolistento.CatherineandLydiahadinformationforthemofadifferentsort.Muchhadbeendone andmuchhadbeen said in the regiment since theprecedingWednesday;severaloftheofficershaddinedlatelywiththeiruncle,aprivatehadbeenflogged,andithadactuallybeenhintedthatColonelForsterwasgoingtobemarried.

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Chapter13

“Ihope,mydear,”saidMr.Bennet tohiswife,as theywereatbreakfast thenextmorning,“thatyouhaveorderedagooddinnerto-day,becauseIhavereasontoexpectanadditiontoourfamilyparty.”“Whodoyoumean,mydear?Iknowofnobodythat iscoming,Iamsure,unless

CharlotteLucasshouldhappentocallin—andIhopemydinnersaregoodenoughforher.Idonotbelievesheoftenseessuchathome.”“ThepersonofwhomIspeakisagentleman,andastranger.”Mrs.Bennet’seyessparkled.“Agentlemanandastranger!ItisMr.Bingley,Iam

sure!Well,IamsureIshallbeextremelygladtoseeMr.Bingley.But—goodLord!howunlucky!Thereisnotabitoffishtobegotto-day.Lydia,mylove,ringthebell—ImustspeaktoHillthismoment.”“ItisnotMr.Bingley,”saidherhusband;“it isapersonwhomIneversawinthe

wholecourseofmylife.”Thisrousedageneralastonishment;andhehadthepleasureofbeingeagerlyques-

tionedbyhiswifeandhisfivedaughtersatonce.Afteramusinghimselfsometimewiththeircuriosity,hethusexplained:“AboutamonthagoIreceivedthis letter;andaboutafortnightagoIansweredit,

for I thought it a caseof somedelicacy, and requiringearlyattention. It is frommycousin,Mr.Collins,who,whenIamdead,mayturnyoualloutofthishouseassoonashepleases.”“Oh!mydear,”criedhiswife,“Icannotbear tohear thatmentioned.Praydonot

talkofthatodiousman.Idothinkitisthehardestthingintheworld,thatyourestateshouldbeentailedawayfromyourownchildren;andIamsure, ifIhadbeenyou,Ishouldhavetriedlongagotodosomethingorotheraboutit.”JaneandElizabethtriedtoexplaintoherthenatureofanentail.Theyhadoftenat-

tempted to do it before, but itwas a subject onwhichMrs.Bennetwas beyond thereachofreason,andshecontinuedtorailbitterlyagainstthecrueltyofsettlinganes-tateawayfromafamilyoffivedaughters,infavourofamanwhomnobodycaredany-thingabout.

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“Itcertainlyisamostiniquitousaffair,”saidMr.Bennet,“andnothingcanclearMr.CollinsfromtheguiltofinheritingLongbourn.Butifyouwilllistentohisletter,youmayperhapsbealittlesoftenedbyhismannerofexpressinghimself.”“No,thatIamsureIshallnot;andIthinkitisveryimpertinentofhimtowriteto

youatall,andveryhypocritical.Ihatesuchfalsefriends.Whycouldhenotkeeponquarrelingwithyou,ashisfatherdidbeforehim?”“Why, indeed;hedoesseemtohavehadsomefilialscrupleson thathead,asyou

willhear.”

“Hunsford,nearWesterham,Kent,15thOctober.

“DearSir,—“Thedisagreement subsistingbetweenyourself andmy latehonoured fatheralwaysgavememuchuneasiness,andsinceIhavehadthemisfortunetolosehim,Ihavefrequentlywishedtohealthebreach;butforsometimeIwaskeptbackbymyowndoubts,fearinglestitmightseemdisrespectfultohismem-oryformetobeongoodtermswithanyonewithwhomithadalwayspleasedhim to be at variance.—‘There,Mrs.Bennet.’—Mymind, however, is nowmadeuponthesubject,forhavingreceivedordinationatEaster,IhavebeensofortunateastobedistinguishedbythepatronageoftheRightHonourableLadyCatherinedeBourgh,widowofSirLewisdeBourgh,whosebountyandbeneficencehaspreferredme to thevaluable rectoryof thisparish,where itshallbemyearnestendeavourtodemeanmyselfwithgratefulrespecttowardsherladyship,andbeeverreadytoperformthoseritesandceremonieswhichare institutedbytheChurchofEngland.Asaclergyman,moreover,I feel itmydutytopromoteandestablishtheblessingofpeaceinallfamilieswithinthereachofmyinfluence;andonthesegroundsIflattermyselfthatmypre-sentoverturesarehighlycommendable,andthatthecircumstanceofmybeingnextintheentailofLongbournestatewillbekindlyoverlookedonyourside,andnotleadyoutorejecttheofferedolive-branch.Icannotbeotherwisethanconcerned at being the means of injuring your amiable daughters, and begleave to apologise for it, aswell as to assure you ofmy readiness tomakethemeverypossibleamends—butofthishereafter.Ifyoushouldhavenoob-jection to receive me into your house, I propose myself the satisfaction ofwaitingonyou andyour family,Monday,November18th, by fouro’clock,andshallprobablytrespassonyourhospitalitytilltheSaturdayse’ennightfol-lowing,whichIcandowithoutany inconvenience,asLadyCatherine is farfrom objecting tomy occasional absence on a Sunday, provided that someotherclergymanisengagedtodothedutyoftheday.—Iremain,dearsir,withrespectful compliments to your lady and daughters, your well-wisher and

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friend,

“WILLIAMCOLLINS”

“Atfouro’clock,therefore,wemayexpectthispeace-makinggentleman,”saidMr.Bennet, as he folded up the letter. “He seems to be amost conscientious and politeyoungman,uponmyword,andIdoubtnotwillproveavaluableacquaintance,espe-ciallyifLadyCatherineshouldbesoindulgentastolethimcometousagain.”“Thereissomesenseinwhathesaysaboutthegirls,however,andifheisdisposed

tomakethemanyamends,Ishallnotbethepersontodiscouragehim.”“Thoughitisdifficult,”saidJane,“toguessinwhatwayhecanmeantomakeusthe

atonementhethinksourdue,thewishiscertainlytohiscredit.”ElizabethwaschieflystruckbyhisextraordinarydeferenceforLadyCatherine,and

hiskind intentionofchristening,marrying, andburyinghisparishionerswhenever itwererequired.“Hemustbeanoddity,Ithink,”saidshe.“Icannotmakehimout.—Thereissome-

thing very pompous in his style.—Andwhat can hemean by apologising for beingnextintheentail?—Wecannotsupposehewouldhelpitifhecould.—Couldhebeasensibleman,sir?”“No,mydear,Ithinknot.Ihavegreathopesoffindinghimquitethereverse.There

is amixtureof servilityand self-importance inhis letter,whichpromiseswell. I amimpatienttoseehim.”“Inpointofcomposition,”saidMary,“theletterdoesnotseemdefective.Theidea

oftheolive-branchperhapsisnotwhollynew,yetIthinkitiswellexpressed.”ToCatherineandLydia,neithertheletternoritswriterwereinanydegreeinterest-

ing.Itwasnexttoimpossiblethattheircousinshouldcomeinascarletcoat,anditwasnowsomeweeks since theyhad receivedpleasure from the societyof aman in anyothercolour.Asfortheirmother,Mr.Collins’sletterhaddoneawaymuchofherill-will,andshewaspreparingtoseehimwithadegreeofcomposurewhichastonishedherhusbandanddaughters.Mr.Collinswaspunctualtohistime,andwasreceivedwithgreatpolitenessbythe

wholefamily.Mr.Bennetindeedsaidlittle;buttheladieswerereadyenoughtotalk,andMr.Collins seemed neither in need of encouragement, nor inclined to be silenthimself.Hewasatall,heavy-lookingyoungmanoffive-and-twenty.Hisairwasgraveandstately,andhismannerswereveryformal.HehadnotbeenlongseatedbeforehecomplimentedMrs.Bennetonhavingsofineafamilyofdaughters;saidhehadheardmuchof theirbeauty,but that in this instancefamehadfallenshortof the truth;andadded,thathedidnotdoubtherseeingthemall induetimedisposedofinmarriage.

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Thisgallantrywasnotmuchtothetasteofsomeofhishearers;butMrs.Bennet,whoquarreledwithnocompliments,answeredmostreadily.“Youareverykind,Iamsure;andIwishwithallmyheartitmayproveso,forelse

theywillbedestituteenough.Thingsaresettledsooddly.”“Youallude,perhaps,totheentailofthisestate.”“Ah!sir,Idoindeed.Itisagrievousaffairtomypoorgirls,youmustconfess.Not

thatImeantofindfaultwithyou,forsuchthingsIknowareallchanceinthisworld.Thereisnoknowinghowestateswillgowhenoncetheycometobeentailed.”“Iamverysensible,madam,ofthehardshiptomyfaircousins,andcouldsaymuch

onthesubject,butthatIamcautiousofappearingforwardandprecipitate.ButIcanassuretheyoungladiesthatIcomepreparedtoadmirethem.AtpresentIwillnotsaymore;but,perhaps,whenwearebetteracquainted—”Hewas interrupted by a summons to dinner; and the girls smiled on each other.

TheywerenottheonlyobjectsofMr.Collins’sadmiration.Thehall,thedining-room,andallitsfurniture,wereexaminedandpraised;andhiscommendationofeverythingwould have touchedMrs. Bennet’s heart, but for the mortifying supposition of hisviewingitallashisownfutureproperty.Thedinnertooinitsturnwashighlyadmired;andhebeggedtoknowtowhichofhisfaircousinstheexcellencyofitscookingwasowing.ButhewassetrighttherebyMrs.Bennet,whoassuredhimwithsomeasperitythattheywereverywellabletokeepagoodcook,andthatherdaughtershadnothingtodo in thekitchen.Hebeggedpardonforhavingdispleasedher. Inasoftened toneshedeclaredherselfnotatalloffended;buthecontinuedtoapologiseforaboutaquar-terofanhour.

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Chapter14

Duringdinner,Mr.Bennetscarcelyspokeatall;butwhentheservantswerewith-drawn, he thought it time to have some conversation with his guest, and thereforestartedasubjectinwhichheexpectedhimtoshine,byobservingthatheseemedveryfortunate in his patroness. Lady Catherine de Bourgh’s attention to his wishes, andconsideration forhis comfort, appearedvery remarkable.Mr.Bennet couldnothavechosenbetter.Mr.Collinswaseloquentinherpraise.Thesubjectelevatedhimtomorethanusualsolemnityofmanner,andwithamostimportantaspectheprotestedthat“hehadneverinhislifewitnessedsuchbehaviourinapersonofrank—suchaffabilityandcondescension,ashehadhimselfexperiencedfromLadyCatherine.Shehadbeengra-ciouslypleasedtoapproveofbothofthediscourseswhichhehadalreadyhadthehon-ourofpreachingbeforeher.ShehadalsoaskedhimtwicetodineatRosings,andhadsentforhimonlytheSaturdaybefore,tomakeupherpoolofquadrilleintheevening.LadyCatherinewasreckonedproudbymanypeopleheknew,buthehadneverseenanythingbutaffabilityinher.Shehadalwaysspokentohimasshewouldtoanyothergentleman; she made not the smallest objection to his joining in the society of theneighbourhoodnortohisleavingtheparishoccasionallyforaweekortwo,tovisithisrelations.Shehadevencondescendedtoadvisehimtomarryassoonashecould,pro-videdhechosewithdiscretion;andhadoncepaidhimavisitinhishumbleparsonage,whereshehadperfectlyapprovedallthealterationshehadbeenmaking,andhadevenvouchsafedtosuggestsomeherself—someshelvesintheclosetupstairs.”“Thatisallveryproperandcivil,Iamsure,”saidMrs.Bennet,“andIdaresayshe

isaveryagreeablewoman.Itisapitythatgreatladiesingeneralarenotmorelikeher.Doesshelivenearyou,sir?”“The garden inwhich standsmy humble abode is separated only by a lane from

RosingsPark,herladyship’sresidence.”“Ithinkyousaidshewasawidow,sir?Hassheanyfamily?”“Shehasonlyonedaughter,theheiressofRosings,andofveryextensiveproperty.”“Ah!”saidMrs.Bennet,shakingherhead,“thenshe isbetteroff thanmanygirls.

Andwhatsortofyoungladyisshe?Isshehandsome?”“She is amost charming young lady indeed. LadyCatherine herself says that, in

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pointoftruebeauty,MissdeBourghisfarsuperiortothehandsomestofhersex,be-causethereis that inherfeatureswhichmarkstheyoungladyofdistinguishedbirth.Sheisunfortunatelyofasicklyconstitution,whichhaspreventedherfrommakingthatprogressinmanyaccomplishmentswhichshecouldnothaveotherwisefailedof,asIaminformedbytheladywhosuperintendedhereducation,andwhostillresideswiththem. But she is perfectly amiable, and often condescends to drive by my humbleabodeinherlittlephaetonandponies.”“Hasshebeenpresented?Idonotrememberhernameamongtheladiesatcourt.”“Her indifferent stateof healthunhappilyprevents her being in town; andby that

means,asItoldLadyCatherineoneday,hasdeprivedtheBritishcourtofitsbrightestornament.Herladyshipseemedpleasedwiththeidea;andyoumayimaginethatIamhappyon everyoccasion tooffer those little delicate complimentswhich are alwaysacceptable to ladies. I have more than once observed to Lady Catherine, that hercharmingdaughterseemedborntobeaduchess,andthatthemostelevatedrank,in-steadofgivingherconsequence,wouldbeadornedbyher.Thesearethekindoflittlethingswhichpleaseherladyship,anditisasortofattentionwhichIconceivemyselfpeculiarlyboundtopay.”“Youjudgeveryproperly,”saidMr.Bennet,“anditishappyforyouthatyoupos-

sessthetalentofflatteringwithdelicacy.MayIaskwhetherthesepleasingattentionsproceedfromtheimpulseofthemoment,oraretheresultofpreviousstudy?”“Theyarisechieflyfromwhatispassingatthetime,andthoughIsometimesamuse

myself with suggesting and arranging such little elegant compliments as may beadaptedtoordinaryoccasions,Ialwayswishtogivethemasunstudiedanairaspossi-ble.”Mr.Bennet’sexpectationswerefullyanswered.Hiscousinwasasabsurdashehad

hoped, and he listened to himwith the keenest enjoyment,maintaining at the sametimethemostresolutecomposureofcountenance,and,exceptinanoccasionalglanceatElizabeth,requiringnopartnerinhispleasure.Bytea-time,however,thedosehadbeenenough,andMr.Bennetwasgladtotake

hisguest intothedrawing-roomagain,and,whenteawasover,gladtoinvitehimtoreadaloudtotheladies.Mr.Collinsreadilyassented,andabookwasproduced;but,onbeholdingit(foreverythingannouncedittobefromacirculatinglibrary),hestartedback,andbeggingpardon,protestedthatheneverreadnovels.Kittystaredathim,andLydia exclaimed.Other bookswere produced, and after some deliberation he choseFordyce’sSermons.Lydia gaped as he opened the volume, and before he had,withverymonotonoussolemnity,readthreepages,sheinterruptedhimwith:“Doyouknow,mamma,thatmyunclePhillipstalksofturningawayRichard;andif

hedoes,ColonelForsterwillhirehim.MyaunttoldmesoherselfonSaturday.Ishall

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walktoMerytonto-morrowtohearmoreaboutit,andtoaskwhenMr.Dennycomesbackfromtown.”Lydiawasbidbyhertwoeldestsisterstoholdhertongue;butMr.Collins,muchof-

fended,laidasidehisbook,andsaid:“Ihaveoftenobservedhowlittleyoungladiesareinterestedbybooksofaserious

stamp, thoughwrittensolelyfor theirbenefit. Itamazesme, Iconfess; for,certainly,therecanbenothingsoadvantageoustothemasinstruction.ButIwillnolongerim-portunemyyoungcousin.”Then turning toMr.Bennet,heofferedhimself ashis antagonist atbackgammon.

Mr.Bennetacceptedthechallenge,observingthatheactedverywiselyinleavingthegirlstotheirowntriflingamusements.Mrs.Bennetandherdaughtersapologisedmostcivilly for Lydia’s interruption, and promised that it should not occur again, if hewould resumehisbook;butMr.Collins, after assuring them that heborehis youngcousinnoill-will,andshouldneverresentherbehaviourasanyaffront,seatedhimselfatanothertablewithMr.Bennet,andpreparedforbackgammon.

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Mr.Collinswasnotasensibleman,andthedeficiencyofnaturehadbeenbutlittleassistedbyeducationorsociety; thegreatestpartofhis lifehavingbeenspentundertheguidanceofanilliterateandmiserlyfather;andthoughhebelongedtooneoftheuniversities,hehadmerelykeptthenecessaryterms,withoutformingatitanyusefulacquaintance.The subjection inwhichhis fatherhadbroughthimuphadgivenhimoriginallygreathumilityofmanner;but itwasnowagooddealcounteractedby theself-conceit of a weak head, living in retirement, and the consequential feelings ofearly andunexpectedprosperity.A fortunate chancehad recommendedhim toLadyCatherinedeBourghwhenthelivingofHunsfordwasvacant;andtherespectwhichhefeltforherhighrank,andhisvenerationforherashispatroness,minglingwithaverygood opinion of himself, of his authority as a clergyman, and his right as a rector,madehimaltogetheramixtureofprideandobsequiousness,self-importanceandhu-mility.Havingnowagoodhouseandaverysufficientincome,heintendedtomarry;andin

seekingareconciliationwiththeLongbournfamilyhehadawifeinview,ashemeantto choose one of the daughters, if he found them as handsome and amiable as theywererepresentedbycommonreport.Thiswashisplanofamends—ofatonement—forinheritingtheirfather’sestate;andhethoughtitanexcellentone,fullofeligibilityandsuitableness,andexcessivelygenerousanddisinterestedonhisownpart.His plan did not vary on seeing them. Miss Bennet’s lovely face confirmed his

views,andestablishedallhisstrictestnotionsofwhatwasduetoseniority;andforthefirst evening shewashis settled choice.Thenextmorning, however,made an alter-ation;forinaquarterofanhour’stête-à-têtewithMrs.Bennetbeforebreakfast,acon-versationbeginningwithhisparsonage-house,andleadingnaturallyto theavowalofhishopes,thatamistressmightbefoundforitatLongbourn,producedfromher,amidverycomplaisantsmilesandgeneralencouragement,acautionagainsttheveryJanehehadfixedon.“Astoheryoungerdaughters,shecouldnottakeuponhertosay—shecould not positively answer—but she did not know of any prepossession; her eldestdaughter,shemustjustmention—shefeltitincumbentonhertohint,waslikelytobeverysoonengaged.”Mr.Collins had only to change from Jane to Elizabeth—and itwas soon done—

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donewhileMrs.Bennetwasstirring thefire.Elizabeth,equallynext toJane inbirthandbeauty,succeededherofcourse.Mrs.Bennettreasuredupthehint,andtrustedthatshemightsoonhavetwodaugh-

tersmarried;andthemanwhomshecouldnotbeartospeakofthedaybeforewasnowhighinhergoodgraces.Lydia’sintentionofwalkingtoMerytonwasnotforgotten;everysisterexceptMary

agreedtogowithher;andMr.Collinswastoattendthem,attherequestofMr.Ben-net,whowasmostanxioustogetridofhim,andhavehislibrarytohimself;forthitherMr.Collinshadfollowedhimafterbreakfast;andtherehewouldcontinue,nominallyengagedwithoneofthelargestfoliosinthecollection,butreallytalkingtoMr.Ben-net,with little cessation, of his house andgarden atHunsford.Suchdoingsdiscom-posedMr.Bennetexceedingly. Inhis libraryhehadbeenalwayssureof leisureandtranquillity;andthoughprepared,ashetoldElizabeth,tomeetwithfollyandconceitineveryotherroomofthehouse,hewasusedtobefreefromthemthere;hiscivility,therefore,wasmostpromptininvitingMr.Collinstojoinhisdaughtersintheirwalk;andMr.Collins,being in factmuchbetter fitted forawalker thana reader,wasex-tremelypleasedtoclosehislargebook,andgo.Inpompousnothingsonhisside,andcivilassentsonthatofhiscousins,theirtime

passedtilltheyenteredMeryton.Theattentionoftheyoungeroneswasthennolongertobegainedbyhim.Theireyeswereimmediatelywanderingupinthestreetinquestof the officers, and nothing less than a very smart bonnet indeed, or a really newmuslininashopwindow,couldrecallthem.But theattentionofevery ladywassooncaughtbyayoungman,whomtheyhad

neverseenbefore,ofmostgentlemanlikeappearance,walkingwithanotherofficerontheothersideoftheway.TheofficerwastheveryMr.DennyconcerningwhosereturnfromLondonLydia came to inquire, and he bowed as they passed.Allwere struckwiththestranger’sair,allwonderedwhohecouldbe;andKittyandLydia,determinedifpossibletofindout,ledthewayacrossthestreet,underpretenseofwantingsome-thinginanoppositeshop,andfortunatelyhadjustgainedthepavementwhenthetwogentlemen, turning back, had reached the same spot.Mr.Denny addressed themdi-rectly, and entreated permission to introduce his friend,Mr.Wickham,who had re-turnedwithhim thedaybefore from town,andhewashappy to sayhadacceptedacommissionintheircorps.Thiswasexactlyasitshouldbe;fortheyoungmanwantedonlyregimentalstomakehimcompletelycharming.Hisappearancewasgreatlyinhisfavour;hehadallthebestpartofbeauty,afinecountenance,agoodfigure,andverypleasingaddress.Theintroductionwasfolloweduponhissidebyahappyreadinessofconversation—areadinessatthesametimeperfectlycorrectandunassuming;andthewholepartywerestillstandingandtalkingtogetherveryagreeably,whenthesoundofhorsesdrewtheirnotice,andDarcyandBingleywereseenridingdownthestreet.On

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distinguishingtheladiesofthegroup,thetwogentlemencamedirectlytowardsthem,andbegantheusualcivilities.Bingleywastheprincipalspokesman,andMissBennettheprincipalobject.Hewasthen,hesaid,onhiswaytoLongbournonpurposetoin-quireafterher.Mr.Darcycorroborateditwithabow,andwasbeginningtodeterminenottofixhiseyesonElizabeth,whentheyweresuddenlyarrestedbythesightofthestranger, and Elizabeth happening to see the countenance of both as they looked ateachother,wasallastonishmentattheeffectofthemeeting.Bothchangedcolour,onelookedwhite, theother red.Mr.Wickham,aftera fewmoments, touchedhishat—asalutationwhichMr.Darcyjustdeignedtoreturn.Whatcouldbethemeaningofit?Itwasimpossibletoimagine;itwasimpossiblenottolongtoknow.Inanotherminute,Mr.Bingley,butwithoutseemingtohavenoticedwhatpassed,

tookleaveandrodeonwithhisfriend.Mr. Denny and Mr. Wickham walked with the young ladies to the door of Mr.

Phillip’shouse,andthenmadetheirbows,inspiteofMissLydia’spressingentreatiesthattheyshouldcomein,andeveninspiteofMrs.Phillips’sthrowinguptheparlourwindowandloudlysecondingtheinvitation.Mrs.Phillipswasalwaysgladtoseehernieces;andthetwoeldest,fromtheirrecent

absence, were particularlywelcome, and shewas eagerly expressing her surprise attheir sudden return home, which, as their own carriage had not fetched them, sheshouldhaveknownnothingabout,ifshehadnothappenedtoseeMr.Jones’sshop-boyinthestreet,whohadtoldherthattheywerenottosendanymoredraughtstoNether-field because theMissBennetswere come away,when her civilitywas claimed to-wardsMr.CollinsbyJane’sintroductionofhim.Shereceivedhimwithherverybestpoliteness,whichhereturnedwithasmuchmore,apologisingforhisintrusion,withoutanypreviousacquaintancewithher,whichhecouldnothelpflatteringhimself,how-ever,mightbejustifiedbyhisrelationshiptotheyoungladieswhointroducedhimtohernotice.Mrs.Phillipswasquiteawedbysuchanexcessofgoodbreeding;buthercontemplationofonestrangerwassoonput toanendbyexclamationsand inquiriesabout theother;ofwhom,however, shecouldonly tellhernieceswhat theyalreadyknew,thatMr.DennyhadbroughthimfromLondon,andthathewastohavealieu-tenant’scommission in the——shire.Shehadbeenwatchinghim the lasthour, shesaid,ashewalkedupanddownthestreet,andhadMr.Wickhamappeared,KittyandLydia would certainly have continued the occupation, but unluckily no one passedwindowsnowexceptafewoftheofficers,who,incomparisonwiththestranger,werebecome“stupid,disagreeablefellows.”SomeofthemweretodinewiththePhillipsesthenextday,andtheirauntpromisedtomakeherhusbandcallonMr.Wickham,andgivehimaninvitationalso,ifthefamilyfromLongbournwouldcomeintheevening.Thiswasagreedto,andMrs.Phillipsprotestedthattheywouldhaveanicecomfort-able noisy game of lottery tickets, and a little bit of hot supper afterwards. The

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prospect of suchdelightswasvery cheering, and theyparted inmutual good spirits.Mr. Collins repeated his apologies in quitting the room, and was assured with un-wearyingcivilitythattheywereperfectlyneedless.Astheywalkedhome,ElizabethrelatedtoJanewhatshehadseenpassbetweenthe

twogentlemen;butthoughJanewouldhavedefendedeitherorboth,hadtheyappearedtobeinthewrong,shecouldnomoreexplainsuchbehaviourthanhersister.Mr.Collinsonhis returnhighlygratifiedMrs.BennetbyadmiringMrs.Phillips’s

mannersandpoliteness.Heprotestedthat,exceptLadyCatherineandherdaughter,hehadneverseenamoreelegantwoman;forshehadnotonlyreceivedhimwiththeut-mostcivility,butevenpointedlyincludedhiminherinvitationforthenextevening,al-thoughutterlyunknowntoherbefore.Something,hesupposed,mightbeattributedtohis connection with them, but yet he had never met with so much attention in thewholecourseofhislife.

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Chapter16

Asnoobjectionwasmadetotheyoungpeople’sengagementwiththeiraunt,andallMr.Collins’sscruplesofleavingMr.andMrs.Bennetforasingleeveningduringhisvisitweremoststeadilyresisted,thecoachconveyedhimandhisfivecousinsatasuit-able hour toMeryton; and the girls had the pleasure of hearing, as they entered thedrawing-room,thatMr.Wickhamhadacceptedtheiruncle’sinvitation,andwastheninthehouse.Whenthisinformationwasgiven,andtheyhadalltakentheirseats,Mr.Collinswas

atleisuretolookaroundhimandadmire,andhewassomuchstruckwiththesizeandfurnitureoftheapartment,thathedeclaredhemightalmosthavesupposedhimselfinthesmallsummerbreakfastparlouratRosings;acomparisonthatdidnotatfirstcon-vey much gratification; but whenMrs. Phillips understood from him what Rosingswas,andwhowasitsproprietor—whenshehadlistenedtothedescriptionofonlyoneofLadyCatherine’sdrawing-rooms,andfoundthatthechimney-piecealonehadcosteighthundredpounds,shefeltalltheforceofthecompliment,andwouldhardlyhaveresentedacomparisonwiththehousekeeper’sroom.IndescribingtoherallthegrandeurofLadyCatherineandhermansion,withocca-

sionaldigressionsinpraiseofhisownhumbleabode,andtheimprovementsitwasre-ceiving, hewashappily employeduntil thegentlemen joined them; andhe found inMrs. Phillips a very attentive listener, whose opinion of his consequence increasedwithwhat sheheard,andwhowas resolving to retail it allamongherneighboursassoonasshecould.Tothegirls,whocouldnotlistentotheircousin,andwhohadnoth-ingtodobuttowishforaninstrument,andexaminetheirownindifferentimitationsofchina on themantelpiece, the interval ofwaiting appeared very long. Itwas over atlast,however.Thegentlemendidapproach,andwhenMr.Wickhamwalkedintotheroom,Elizabethfeltthatshehadneitherbeenseeinghimbefore,northinkingofhimsince,with the smallestdegreeofunreasonable admiration.Theofficersof the——shirewereingeneralaverycreditable,gentlemanlikeset,andthebestofthemwereofthepresentparty;butMr.Wickhamwasasfarbeyondthemallinperson,countenance,air,andwalk,astheyweresuperiortothebroad-faced,stuffyunclePhillips,breathingportwine,whofollowedthemintotheroom.Mr. Wickham was the happy man towards whom almost every female eye was

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turned,andElizabethwas thehappywomanbywhomhefinallyseatedhimself;andthe agreeablemanner inwhich he immediately fell into conversation, though itwasonlyonitsbeingawetnight,madeherfeelthatthecommonest,dullest,mostthread-baretopicmightberenderedinterestingbytheskillofthespeaker.With such rivals for the notice of the fair asMr.Wickham and the officers,Mr.

Collinsseemedtosinkintoinsignificance;totheyoungladieshecertainlywasnoth-ing;buthehadstillatintervalsakindlistenerinMrs.Phillips,andwasbyherwatch-fulness,mostabundantlysuppliedwithcoffeeandmuffin.Whenthecard-tableswereplaced,hehadtheopportunityofobligingherinturn,bysittingdowntowhist.“Iknowlittleofthegameatpresent,”saidhe,“butIshallbegladtoimprovemy-

self,forinmysituationinlife—”Mrs.Phillipswasverygladforhiscompliance,butcouldnotwaitforhisreason.Mr.Wickhamdidnotplayatwhist,andwithreadydelightwashereceivedat the

othertablebetweenElizabethandLydia.Atfirst thereseemeddangerofLydia’sen-grossing him entirely, for shewas amost determined talker; but being likewise ex-tremely fond of lottery tickets, she soon grew toomuch interested in the game, tooeagerinmakingbetsandexclaimingafterprizestohaveattentionforanyoneinpartic-ular.Allowingforthecommondemandsofthegame,Mr.Wickhamwasthereforeatleisure to talk to Elizabeth, and shewas verywilling to hear him, thoughwhat shechieflywishedtohearshecouldnothopetobetold—thehistoryofhisacquaintancewithMr.Darcy.Shedarednotevenmentionthatgentleman.Hercuriosity,however,wasunexpectedlyrelieved.Mr.Wickhambeganthesubjecthimself.HeinquiredhowfarNetherfieldwasfromMeryton;and,afterreceivingheranswer,askedinahesitat-ingmannerhowlongMr.Darcyhadbeenstayingthere.“Aboutamonth,”saidElizabeth;andthen,unwillingtoletthesubjectdrop,added,

“HeisamanofverylargepropertyinDerbyshire,Iunderstand.”“Yes,”repliedMr.Wickham;“hisestatethereisanobleone.Acleartenthousand

perannum.Youcouldnothavemetwithapersonmorecapableofgivingyoucertaininformationonthatheadthanmyself,forIhavebeenconnectedwithhisfamilyinaparticularmannerfrommyinfancy.”Elizabethcouldnotbutlooksurprised.“Youmaywellbesurprised,MissBennet,atsuchanassertion,afterseeing,asyou

probablymight, the very coldmanner of ourmeeting yesterday.Are youmuch ac-quaintedwithMr.Darcy?”“Asmuch as I everwish to be,” criedElizabeth verywarmly. “I have spent four

daysinthesamehousewithhim,andIthinkhimverydisagreeable.”“Ihavenoright togivemyopinion,”saidWickham,“as tohisbeingagreeableor

otherwise.Iamnotqualifiedtoformone.Ihaveknownhimtoolongandtoowellto

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beafair judge.It is impossibleforme tobe impartial.ButIbelieveyouropinionofhimwouldingeneralastonish—andperhapsyouwouldnotexpressitquitesostronglyanywhereelse.Hereyouareinyourownfamily.”“Uponmyword,IsaynomoreherethanImightsayinanyhouseintheneighbour-

hood,exceptNetherfield.HeisnotatalllikedinHertfordshire.Everybodyisdisgustedwithhispride.Youwillnotfindhimmorefavourablyspokenofbyanyone.”“Icannotpretendtobesorry,”saidWickham,afterashortinterruption,“thatheor

that anymanshouldnotbeestimatedbeyond theirdeserts;butwithhim I believe itdoesnotoftenhappen.Theworldisblindedbyhisfortuneandconsequence,orfright-enedbyhishighandimposingmanners,andseeshimonlyashechoosestobeseen.”“I should take him, even onmy slight acquaintance, to be an ill-temperedman.”

Wickhamonlyshookhishead.“Iwonder,”saidhe,atthenextopportunityofspeaking,“whetherheislikelytobe

inthiscountrymuchlonger.”“Idonotatallknow;butIheardnothingofhisgoingawaywhenIwasatNether-

field.Ihopeyourplansinfavourofthe——shirewillnotbeaffectedbyhisbeingintheneighbourhood.”“Oh!no—itisnotformetobedrivenawaybyMr.Darcy.Ifhewishestoavoidsee-

ingme,hemustgo.Wearenotonfriendlyterms,anditalwaysgivesmepaintomeethim,but Ihaveno reason foravoidinghimbutwhat Imightproclaimbeforeall theworld,asenseofverygreatill-usage,andmostpainfulregretsathisbeingwhatheis.His father, Miss Bennet, the late Mr. Darcy, was one of the best men that everbreathed,andthetruestfriendIeverhad;andIcanneverbeincompanywiththisMr.Darcywithoutbeinggrievedtothesoulbyathousandtenderrecollections.Hisbehav-iourtomyselfhasbeenscandalous;butIverilybelieveIcouldforgivehimanythingandeverything,ratherthanhisdisappointingthehopesanddisgracingthememoryofhisfather.”Elizabethfoundtheinterestof thesubject increase,andlistenedwithallherheart;

butthedelicacyofitpreventedfurtherinquiry.Mr.Wickhambegantospeakonmoregeneraltopics,Meryton,theneighbourhood,

thesociety,appearinghighlypleasedwithallthathehadyetseen,andspeakingofthelatterwithgentlebutveryintelligiblegallantry.“Itwas theprospectofconstantsociety,andgoodsociety,”headded,“whichwas

mychiefinducementtoenterthe——shire.Iknewittobeamostrespectable,agree-able corps, andmy friendDenny temptedme furtherbyhis accountof theirpresentquarters,and theverygreatattentionsandexcellentacquaintancesMerytonhadpro-curedthem.Society,Iown, isnecessarytome.Ihavebeenadisappointedman,andmyspiritswillnotbearsolitude.Imusthaveemploymentandsociety.Amilitarylifeis

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notwhatIwasintendedfor,butcircumstanceshavenowmadeiteligible.Thechurchought tohavebeenmyprofession—Iwasbroughtupfor thechurch,andIshouldatthistimehavebeeninpossessionofamostvaluableliving,haditpleasedthegentle-manwewerespeakingofjustnow.”“Indeed!”“Yes—thelateMr.Darcybequeathedmethenextpresentationofthebestlivingin

hisgift.Hewasmygodfather,andexcessivelyattachedtome.Icannotdojusticetohiskindness.Hemeanttoprovideformeamply,andthoughthehaddoneit;butwhenthelivingfell,itwasgivenelsewhere.”“Goodheavens!” criedElizabeth; “but howcould that be?Howcouldhiswill be

disregarded?Whydidyounotseeklegalredress?”“Therewas just such an informality in the termsof the bequest as to givemeno

hopefromlaw.Amanofhonourcouldnothavedoubtedtheintention,butMr.Darcychosetodoubtit—ortotreatitasamerelyconditionalrecommendation,andtoassertthatIhadforfeitedallclaimtoitbyextravagance,imprudence—inshortanythingornothing.Certainitis,thatthelivingbecamevacanttwoyearsago,exactlyasIwasofanagetoholdit,andthatitwasgiventoanotherman;andnolesscertainisit,thatIcannot accusemyself of having really done anything to deserve to lose it. I have awarm,unguardedtemper,andImayhavespokenmyopinionofhim,andtohim,toofreely.Icanrecallnothingworse.Butthefactis,thatweareverydifferentsortofmen,andthathehatesme.”“Thisisquiteshocking!Hedeservestobepubliclydisgraced.”“Sometimeorotherhewillbe—butitshallnotbebyme.TillIcanforgethisfather,

Icanneverdefyorexposehim.”Elizabethhonouredhimforsuchfeelings,andthoughthimhandsomerthaneveras

heexpressedthem.“Butwhat,”saidshe,afterapause,“canhavebeenhismotive?Whatcanhavein-

ducedhimtobehavesocruelly?”“A thorough, determined dislike ofme—a dislikewhich I cannot but attribute in

somemeasure to jealousy.Hadthe lateMr.Darcy likedmeless,hissonmighthavebornewithmebetter;buthisfather’suncommonattachmenttomeirritatedhim,Ibe-lieve,veryearlyinlife.Hehadnotatempertobearthesortofcompetitioninwhichwestood—thesortofpreferencewhichwasoftengivenme.”“IhadnotthoughtMr.Darcysobadasthis—thoughIhaveneverlikedhim.Ihad

notthoughtsoveryillofhim.Ihadsupposedhimtobedespisinghisfellow-creaturesingeneral,butdidnotsuspecthimofdescendingtosuchmaliciousrevenge,suchin-justice,suchinhumanityasthis.”

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Afterafewminutes’reflection,however,shecontinued,“Idorememberhisboast-ingoneday,atNetherfield,of the implacabilityofhis resentments,ofhishavinganunforgivingtemper.Hisdispositionmustbedreadful.”“Iwillnot trustmyselfon thesubject,” repliedWickham;“Icanhardlybe just to

him.”Elizabethwasagaindeepinthought,andafteratimeexclaimed,“Totreatinsucha

mannerthegodson,thefriend,thefavouriteofhisfather!”Shecouldhaveadded,“Ayoungman, too, like you, whose very countenancemay vouch for your being ami-able”—butshecontentedherselfwith,“andone,too,whohadprobablybeenhiscom-panionfromchildhood,connectedtogether,asIthinkyousaid,intheclosestmanner!”“Wewere born in the sameparish,within the samepark; the greatest part of our

youthwaspassedtogether;inmatesofthesamehouse,sharingthesameamusements,objectsof the sameparental care.My fatherbegan life in theprofessionwhichyouruncle,Mr.Phillips,appearstodosomuchcreditto—buthegaveupeverythingtobeofusetothelateMr.DarcyanddevotedallhistimetothecareofthePemberleyprop-erty.HewasmosthighlyesteemedbyMr.Darcy,amostintimate,confidentialfriend.Mr.Darcyoftenacknowledgedhimselftobeunderthegreatestobligationstomyfa-ther’s active superintendence, andwhen, immediately beforemy father’s death,Mr.Darcygavehimavoluntarypromiseofprovidingforme,Iamconvincedthathefeltittobeasmuchadebtofgratitudetohim,asofhisaffectiontomyself.”“Howstrange!”criedElizabeth.“Howabominable!Iwonderthattheveryprideof

thisMr.Darcyhasnotmadehimjusttoyou!Iffromnobettermotive,thatheshouldnothavebeentooproudtobedishonest—fordishonestyImustcallit.”“It is wonderful,” repliedWickham, “for almost all his actions may be traced to

pride;andpridehadoftenbeenhisbestfriend.Ithasconnectedhimnearerwithvirtuethanwithanyotherfeeling.Butwearenoneofusconsistent,andinhisbehaviourtometherewerestrongerimpulseseventhanpride.”“Cansuchabominableprideashishaveeverdonehimgood?”“Yes. Ithasoften ledhim tobe liberalandgenerous, togivehismoneyfreely, to

displayhospitality, toassisthis tenants,andrelieve thepoor.Familypride,and filialpride—forheisveryproudofwhathisfatherwas—havedonethis.Nottoappeartodisgracehisfamily, todegeneratefromthepopularqualities,or lose theinfluenceofthePemberleyHouse,isapowerfulmotive.Hehasalsobrotherlypride,which,withsomebrotherlyaffection,makeshimaverykindandcarefulguardianofhissister,andyouwillhearhimgenerallycriedupasthemostattentiveandbestofbrothers.”“WhatsortofgirlisMissDarcy?”Heshookhishead.“IwishIcouldcallheramiable.Itgivesmepaintospeakillofa

Darcy.Butsheistoomuchlikeherbrother—very,veryproud.Asachild,shewasaf-

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fectionateandpleasing,andextremelyfondofme;andIhavedevotedhoursandhourstoheramusement.Butsheisnothingtomenow.Sheisahandsomegirl,aboutfifteenorsixteen,and,Iunderstand,highlyaccomplished.Sinceherfather’sdeath,herhomehasbeenLondon,wherealadyliveswithher,andsuperintendshereducation.”Aftermanypausesandmanytrialsofothersubjects,Elizabethcouldnothelprevert-

ingoncemoretothefirst,andsaying:“I am astonished at his intimacy with Mr. Bingley! How can Mr. Bingley, who

seemsgoodhumouritself,andis,Ireallybelieve,trulyamiable,beinfriendshipwithsuchaman?Howcantheysuiteachother?DoyouknowMr.Bingley?”“Notatall.”“Heisasweet-tempered,amiable,charmingman.HecannotknowwhatMr.Darcy

is.”“Probablynot;butMr.Darcycanpleasewherehechooses.Hedoesnotwantabili-

ties.Hecanbeaconversiblecompanionifhethinksitworthhiswhile.Amongthosewhoareatallhisequalsinconsequence,heisaverydifferentmanfromwhatheistothelessprosperous.Hisprideneverdesertshim;butwiththerichheisliberal-minded,just,sincere,rational,honourable,andperhapsagreeable—allowingsomethingforfor-tuneandfigure.”Thewhistpartysoonafterwardsbreakingup, theplayersgatheredround theother

tableandMr.CollinstookhisstationbetweenhiscousinElizabethandMrs.Phillips.The usual inquiries as to his successweremade by the latter. It had not been verygreat; he had lost every point; butwhenMrs. Phillips began to express her concernthereupon,heassuredherwithmuchearnestgravitythatitwasnotoftheleastimpor-tance, thathe considered themoneyas amere trifle, andbegged that shewouldnotmakeherselfuneasy.“Iknowverywell,madam,”saidhe,“thatwhenpersonssitdown toacard-table,

theymust take their chances of these things, and happily I am not in such circum-stancesas tomakefiveshillingsanyobject.Thereareundoubtedlymanywhocouldnotsaythesame,butthankstoLadyCatherinedeBourgh,Iamremovedfarbeyondthenecessityofregardinglittlematters.”Mr.Wickham’sattentionwascaught;andafterobservingMr.Collinsforafewmo-

ments,heaskedElizabethinalowvoicewhetherherrelationwasveryintimatelyac-quaintedwiththefamilyofdeBourgh.“Lady Catherine de Bourgh,” she replied, “has very lately given him a living. I

hardlyknowhowMr.Collinswasfirst introduced tohernotice,buthecertainlyhasnotknownherlong.”“Youknowofcourse thatLadyCatherinedeBourghandLadyAnneDarcywere

sisters;consequentlythatsheisaunttothepresentMr.Darcy.”

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“No, indeed, I did not. I knew nothing at all of Lady Catherine’s connections. Ineverheardofherexistencetillthedaybeforeyesterday.”“Herdaughter,MissdeBourgh,willhaveaverylargefortune,anditisbelievedthat

sheandhercousinwillunitethetwoestates.”ThisinformationmadeElizabethsmile,asshethoughtofpoorMissBingley.Vain

indeedmustbeallherattentions,vainanduselessheraffectionforhissisterandherpraiseofhimself,ifhewerealreadyself-destinedforanother.“Mr.Collins,”saidshe,“speakshighlybothofLadyCatherineandherdaughter;but

fromsomeparticularsthathehasrelatedofherladyship,Isuspecthisgratitudemis-leads him, and that in spite of her beinghis patroness, she is an arrogant, conceitedwoman.”“Ibelievehertobebothinagreatdegree,”repliedWickham;“Ihavenotseenher

formanyyears,butIverywellrememberthatIneverlikedher,andthathermannersweredictatorialandinsolent.Shehasthereputationofbeingremarkablysensibleandclever;butIratherbelieveshederivespartofherabilitiesfromherrankandfortune,part fromherauthoritativemanner, and the rest from thepride forhernephew,whochooses that everyone connectedwithhim shouldhave anunderstandingof the firstclass.”Elizabethallowedthathehadgivenaveryrationalaccountofit,andtheycontinued

talkingtogether,withmutualsatisfactiontillsupperputanendtocards,andgavetherestoftheladiestheirshareofMr.Wickham’sattentions.Therecouldbenoconversa-tioninthenoiseofMrs.Phillips’ssupperparty,buthismannersrecommendedhimtoeverybody.Whatever he said, was saidwell; andwhatever he did, done gracefully.Elizabethwentawaywithherheadfullofhim.ShecouldthinkofnothingbutofMr.Wickham,andofwhathehadtoldher,all thewayhome;buttherewasnottimeforher even tomention his name as theywent, for neitherLydia norMr.Collinswereoncesilent.Lydiatalkedincessantlyoflotterytickets,ofthefishshehadlostandthefishshehadwon;andMr.CollinsindescribingthecivilityofMr.andMrs.Phillips,protesting that he did not in the least regard his losses atwhist, enumerating all thedishesatsupper,andrepeatedlyfearingthathecrowdedhiscousins,hadmoretosaythanhecouldwellmanagebeforethecarriagestoppedatLongbournHouse.

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ElizabethrelatedtoJanethenextdaywhathadpassedbetweenMr.Wickhamandherself.Janelistenedwithastonishmentandconcern;sheknewnothowtobelievethatMr.DarcycouldbesounworthyofMr.Bingley’sregard;andyet,itwasnotinherna-turetoquestiontheveracityofayoungmanofsuchamiableappearanceasWickham.Thepossibilityofhishavingenduredsuchunkindness,wasenoughtointerestallhertenderfeelings;andnothingremainedthereforetobedone,buttothinkwellofthemboth,todefendtheconductofeach,andthrowintotheaccountofaccidentormistakewhatevercouldnotbeotherwiseexplained.“Theyhaveboth,” said she, “beendeceived, I dare say, in somewayor other, of

whichwecanformnoidea.Interestedpeoplehaveperhapsmisrepresentedeachtotheother.Itis,inshort,impossibleforustoconjecturethecausesorcircumstanceswhichmayhavealienatedthem,withoutactualblameoneitherside.”“Verytrue,indeed;andnow,mydearJane,whathaveyougottosayonbehalfof

the interested people who have probably been concerned in the business? Do clearthemtoo,orweshallbeobligedtothinkillofsomebody.”“Laughasmuchasyouchoose,butyouwillnot laughmeoutofmyopinion.My

dearestLizzy, dobut consider inwhat a disgraceful light it placesMr.Darcy, to betreatinghisfather’sfavouriteinsuchamanner,onewhomhisfatherhadpromisedtoprovidefor.Itisimpossible.Nomanofcommonhumanity,nomanwhohadanyvaluefor his character, could be capable of it.Can hismost intimate friends be so exces-sivelydeceivedinhim?Oh!no.”“I canmuchmore easily believeMr. Bingley’s being imposed on, than thatMr.

Wickham should invent such a history of himself as he gaveme last night; names,facts,everythingmentionedwithoutceremony.Ifitbenotso,letMr.Darcycontradictit.Besides,therewastruthinhislooks.”“Itisdifficultindeed—itisdistressing.Onedoesnotknowwhattothink.”“Ibegyourpardon;oneknowsexactlywhattothink.”ButJanecouldthinkwithcertaintyononlyonepoint—thatMr.Bingley,ifhehad

beenimposedon,wouldhavemuchtosufferwhentheaffairbecamepublic.

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Thetwoyoungladiesweresummonedfromtheshrubbery,wherethisconversationpassed,bythearrivaloftheverypersonsofwhomtheyhadbeenspeaking;Mr.Bing-leyandhissisterscametogivetheirpersonalinvitationforthelong-expectedballatNetherfield,whichwasfixedforthefollowingTuesday.Thetwoladiesweredelightedtoseetheirdearfriendagain,calleditanagesincetheyhadmet,andrepeatedlyaskedwhatshehadbeendoingwithherselfsincetheirseparation.Totherestofthefamilytheypaidlittleattention;avoidingMrs.Bennetasmuchaspossible,sayingnotmuchtoElizabeth,andnothingatalltotheothers.Theyweresoongoneagain,risingfromtheirseatswithanactivitywhichtooktheirbrotherbysurprise,andhurryingoffasifeagertoescapefromMrs.Bennet’scivilities.TheprospectoftheNetherfieldballwasextremelyagreeabletoeveryfemaleofthe

family.Mrs.Bennetchosetoconsideritasgivenincomplimenttohereldestdaughter,andwasparticularlyflatteredbyreceivingtheinvitationfromMr.Bingleyhimself,in-steadofaceremoniouscard.Janepicturedtoherselfahappyeveninginthesocietyofhertwofriends,andtheattentionsoftheirbrother;andElizabeththoughtwithpleasureofdancingagreatdealwithMr.Wickham,andofseeingaconfirmationofeverythinginMr.Darcy’slookandbehaviour.ThehappinessanticipatedbyCatherineandLydiadependedlessonanysingleevent,oranyparticularperson,forthoughtheyeach,likeElizabeth,meanttodancehalftheeveningwithMr.Wickham,hewasbynomeanstheonlypartnerwhocouldsatisfythem,andaballwas,atanyrate,aball.AndevenMarycouldassureherfamilythatshehadnodisinclinationforit.“WhileIcanhavemymorningstomyself,”saidshe,“itisenough—Ithinkitisno

sacrificetojoinoccasionallyineveningengagements.Societyhasclaimsonusall;andIprofessmyselfoneof thosewhoconsider intervalsofrecreationandamusementasdesirableforeverybody.”Elizabeth’sspiritsweresohighonthisoccasion,thatthoughshedidnotoftenspeak

unnecessarilytoMr.Collins,shecouldnothelpaskinghimwhetherheintendedtoac-ceptMr.Bingley’sinvitation,andifhedid,whetherhewouldthinkitpropertojoinintheevening’samusement;andshewasrathersurprisedtofindthatheentertainednoscruplewhateveronthathead,andwasveryfarfromdreadingarebukeeitherfromtheArchbishop,orLadyCatherinedeBourgh,byventuringtodance.“Iambynomeansoftheopinion,Iassureyou,”saidhe,“thataballofthiskind,

givenbyayoungmanofcharacter,torespectablepeople,canhaveanyeviltendency;andIamsofarfromobjectingtodancingmyself,thatIshallhopetobehonouredwiththehandsofallmyfaircousinsinthecourseoftheevening;andItakethisopportunityof soliciting yours,Miss Elizabeth, for the two first dances especially, a preferencewhichItrustmycousinJanewillattributetotherightcause,andnottoanydisrespectforher.”Elizabethfeltherselfcompletelytakenin.Shehadfullyproposedbeingengagedby

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Mr.Wickham for those very dances; and to haveMr.Collins instead! her livelinesshadneverbeenworsetimed.Therewasnohelpforit,however.Mr.Wickham’shappi-nessandherownwereperforcedelayedalittlelonger,andMr.Collins’sproposalac-ceptedwithasgoodagraceasshecould.Shewasnotthebetterpleasedwithhisgal-lantryfromthe idea it suggestedofsomethingmore. Itnowfirststruckher, thatshewasselectedfromamonghersistersasworthyofbeingmistressofHunsfordParson-age,andofassistingtoformaquadrilletableatRosings,intheabsenceofmoreeligi-blevisitors.Theideasoonreachedtoconviction,assheobservedhisincreasingcivili-tiestowardherself,andheardhisfrequentattemptatacomplimentonherwitandvi-vacity;andthoughmoreastonishedthangratifiedherselfbythiseffectofhercharms,itwasnotlongbeforehermothergavehertounderstandthattheprobabilityoftheirmarriagewasextremelyagreeable toher.Elizabeth,however,didnotchoose to takethehint,beingwellawarethataseriousdisputemustbetheconsequenceofanyreply.Mr.Collinsmightnevermaketheoffer,andtillhedid,itwasuselesstoquarrelabouthim.IftherehadnotbeenaNetherfieldballtoprepareforandtalkof,theyoungerMiss

Bennetswouldhavebeeninaverypitiablestateatthistime,forfromthedayofthein-vitation,tothedayoftheball, therewassuchasuccessionofrainaspreventedtheirwalking toMeryton once.No aunt, no officers, no news could be sought after—theveryshoe-rosesforNetherfieldweregotbyproxy.EvenElizabethmighthavefoundsometrialofherpatienceinweatherwhichtotallysuspendedtheimprovementofheracquaintance withMr.Wickham; and nothing less than a dance on Tuesday, couldhave made such a Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday endurable to Kitty andLydia.

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TillElizabethenteredthedrawing-roomatNetherfield,andlookedinvainforMr.Wickhamamongtheclusterofredcoatsthereassembled,adoubtofhisbeingpresenthadneveroccurredtoher.Thecertaintyofmeetinghimhadnotbeencheckedbyanyofthoserecollectionsthatmightnotunreasonablyhavealarmedher.Shehaddressedwithmore thanusualcare,andprepared in thehighest spirits for theconquestofallthatremainedunsubduedofhisheart,trustingthatitwasnotmorethanmightbewoninthecourseoftheevening.ButinaninstantarosethedreadfulsuspicionofhisbeingpurposelyomittedforMr.Darcy’spleasureintheBingleys’invitationtotheofficers;and though thiswas not exactly the case, the absolute fact of his absencewas pro-nouncedbyhisfriendDenny,towhomLydiaeagerlyapplied,andwhotoldthemthatWickhamhadbeenobligedtogototownonbusinessthedaybefore,andwasnotyetreturned;adding,withasignificantsmile,“Idonotimaginehisbusinesswouldhavecalledhimawayjustnow,ifhehadnotwantedtoavoidacertaingentlemanhere.”This part of his intelligence, though unheard by Lydia, was caught by Elizabeth,

and,asitassuredherthatDarcywasnotlessanswerableforWickham’sabsencethanifherfirstsurmisehadbeenjust,everyfeelingofdispleasureagainsttheformerwassosharpenedbyimmediatedisappointment,thatshecouldhardlyreplywithtolerableci-vility to thepolite inquirieswhichhedirectlyafterwardsapproachedtomake.Atten-dance, forbearance, patiencewithDarcy,was injury toWickham. Shewas resolvedagainstanysortofconversationwithhim,andturnedawaywithadegreeofill-humourwhichshecouldnotwhollysurmounteven inspeaking toMr.Bingley,whoseblindpartialityprovokedher.ButElizabethwasnotformedforill-humour;andthougheveryprospectofherown

wasdestroyedfortheevening,itcouldnotdwelllongonherspirits;andhavingtoldallhergriefstoCharlotteLucas,whomshehadnotseenforaweek,shewassoonabletomakeavoluntarytransitiontotheodditiesofhercousin,andtopointhimouttoherparticularnotice.Thefirsttwodances,however,broughtareturnofdistress;theyweredancesofmortification.Mr.Collins,awkwardandsolemn,apologisinginsteadofat-tending,andoftenmovingwrongwithoutbeingawareofit,gaveheralltheshameandmiserywhichadisagreeablepartnerforacoupleofdancescangive.Themomentofherreleasefromhimwasecstasy.

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Shedancednextwith anofficer, andhad the refreshmentof talkingofWickham,and of hearing that hewas universally liked.When those danceswere over, she re-turned toCharlotteLucas,andwas inconversationwithher,whenshefoundherselfsuddenlyaddressedbyMr.Darcywhotookhersomuchbysurpriseinhisapplicationforherhand,that,withoutknowingwhatshedid,sheacceptedhim.Hewalkedawayagain immediately, and shewas left to fret overherownwantofpresenceofmind;Charlottetriedtoconsoleher:“Idaresayyouwillfindhimveryagreeable.”“Heavenforbid!Thatwouldbethegreatestmisfortuneofall!Tofindamanagree-

ablewhomoneisdeterminedtohate!Donotwishmesuchanevil.”When the dancing recommenced, however, and Darcy approached to claim her

hand,Charlottecouldnothelpcautioningherinawhisper,nottobeasimpleton,andallowherfancyforWickhamtomakeherappearunpleasantintheeyesofamantentimes his consequence. Elizabeth made no answer, and took her place in the set,amazedatthedignitytowhichshewasarrivedinbeingallowedtostandoppositetoMr.Darcy,andreadinginherneighbours’looks,theirequalamazementinbeholdingit.Theystoodforsometimewithoutspeakingaword;andshebegantoimaginethattheirsilencewastolastthroughthetwodances,andatfirstwasresolvednottobreakit; till suddenly fancying that it would be the greater punishment to her partner toobligehimtotalk,shemadesomeslightobservationonthedance.Hereplied,andwasagain silent.After a pause of someminutes, she addressed him a second timewith:—“Itisyourturntosaysomethingnow,Mr.Darcy.Italkedaboutthedance,andyououghttomakesomesortofremarkonthesizeoftheroom,orthenumberofcouples.”Hesmiled,andassuredherthatwhatevershewishedhimtosayshouldbesaid.“Verywell.Thatreplywilldoforthepresent.PerhapsbyandbyImayobservethat

privateballsaremuchpleasanterthanpublicones.Butnowwemaybesilent.”“Doyoutalkbyrule,then,whileyouaredancing?”“Sometimes.Onemust speak a little, youknow. Itwould lookodd to be entirely

silentforhalfanhourtogether;andyetfortheadvantageofsome,conversationoughttobesoarranged,asthattheymayhavethetroubleofsayingaslittleaspossible.”“Areyouconsultingyourownfeelingsinthepresentcase,ordoyouimaginethat

youaregratifyingmine?”“Both,” repliedElizabeth archly; “for I have always seen a great similarity in the

turnofourminds.Weareeachofanunsocial,taciturndisposition,unwillingtospeak,unlesswe expect to say something thatwill amaze thewhole room, and be handeddowntoposteritywithalltheéclatofaproverb.”“This is novery striking resemblanceof your owncharacter, I am sure,” saidhe.

“Hownearitmaybetomine,Icannotpretendtosay.Youthinkitafaithfulportraitun-

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doubtedly.”“Imustnotdecideonmyownperformance.”Hemadenoanswer,andtheywereagainsilenttilltheyhadgonedownthedance,

whenheaskedherifsheandhersistersdidnotveryoftenwalktoMeryton.Shean-sweredintheaffirmative,and,unabletoresistthetemptation,added,“Whenyoumetustheretheotherday,wehadjustbeenforminganewacquaintance.”Theeffectwasimmediate.Adeepershadeofhauteuroverspreadhisfeatures,buthe

saidnotaword,andElizabeth, thoughblamingherself forherownweakness,couldnotgoon.AtlengthDarcyspoke,andinaconstrainedmannersaid,“Mr.Wickhamisblessedwithsuchhappymannersasmayensurehismakingfriends—whetherhemaybeequallycapableofretainingthem,islesscertain.”“Hehasbeensounluckyastoloseyourfriendship,”repliedElizabethwithempha-

sis,“andinamannerwhichheislikelytosufferfromallhislife.”Darcymadenoanswer,andseemeddesirousofchanging thesubject.At thatmo-

ment,SirWilliamLucasappearedclosetothem,meaningtopassthroughthesettotheothersideoftheroom;butonperceivingMr.Darcy,hestoppedwithabowofsuperiorcourtesytocomplimenthimonhisdancingandhispartner.“Ihavebeenmosthighlygratifiedindeed,mydearsir.Suchverysuperiordancingis

notoftenseen.Itisevidentthatyoubelongtothefirstcircles.Allowmetosay,how-ever, that your fair partner doesnot disgraceyou, and that Imust hope to have thispleasure often repeated, especially when a certain desirable event, my dear Eliza(glancing at her sister andBingley) shall take place.What congratulationswill thenflowin!IappealtoMr.Darcy:—butletmenotinterruptyou,sir.Youwillnotthankmefordetainingyoufromthebewitchingconverseof thatyounglady,whosebrighteyesarealsoupbraidingme.”ThelatterpartofthisaddresswasscarcelyheardbyDarcy;butSirWilliam’sallu-

siontohisfriendseemedtostrikehimforcibly,andhiseyesweredirectedwithaveryseriousexpressiontowardsBingleyandJane,whoweredancingtogether.Recoveringhimself,however,shortly,heturnedtohispartner,andsaid,“SirWilliam’s interrup-tionhasmademeforgetwhatweweretalkingof.”“Idonotthinkwewerespeakingatall.SirWilliamcouldnothaveinterruptedtwo

peopleintheroomwhohadlesstosayforthemselves.Wehavetriedtwoorthreesub-jectsalreadywithoutsuccess,andwhatwearetotalkofnextIcannotimagine.”“Whatthinkyouofbooks?”saidhe,smiling.“Books—oh!no.Iamsureweneverreadthesame,ornotwiththesamefeelings.”“Iamsorryyouthinkso;butifthatbethecase,therecanatleastbenowantofsub-

ject.Wemaycompareourdifferentopinions.”

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“No—Icannot talkofbooks in aball-room;myhead is always full of somethingelse.”“Thepresentalwaysoccupiesyouinsuchscenes—doesit?”saidhe,withalookof

doubt.“Yes, always,” she replied, without knowingwhat she said, for her thoughts had

wanderedfarfromthesubject,assoonafterwardsappearedbyhersuddenlyexclaim-ing,“Irememberhearingyouoncesay,Mr.Darcy,thatyouhardlyeverforgave,thatyourresentmentoncecreatedwasunappeasable.Youareverycautious,Isuppose,astoitsbeingcreated?”“Iam,”saidhe,withafirmvoice.“Andneverallowyourselftobeblindedbyprejudice?”“Ihopenot.”“Itisparticularlyincumbentonthosewhoneverchangetheiropinion,tobesecure

ofjudgingproperlyatfirst.”“MayIasktowhatthesequestionstend?”“Merely to the illustrationofyour character,” said she, endeavouring to shakeoff

hergravity.“Iamtryingtomakeitout.”“Andwhatisyoursuccess?”Sheshookherhead.“Idonotgetonatall.Ihearsuchdifferentaccountsofyouas

puzzlemeexceedingly.”“Icanreadilybelieve,”answeredhegravely,“thatreportsmayvarygreatlywithre-

specttome;andIcouldwish,MissBennet,thatyouwerenottosketchmycharacteratthepresentmoment, as there is reason to fear that theperformancewould reflectnocreditoneither.”“ButifIdonottakeyourlikenessnow,Imayneverhaveanotheropportunity.”“Iwouldbynomeanssuspendanypleasureofyours,”hecoldlyreplied.Shesaidno

more,andtheywentdowntheotherdanceandpartedinsilence;andoneachsidedis-satisfied, though not to an equal degree, for inDarcy’s breast therewas a tolerablypowerful feeling towards her, which soon procured her pardon, and directed all hisangeragainstanother.Theyhadnotlongseparated,whenMissBingleycametowardsher,andwithanex-

pressionofcivildisdainaccostedher:“So,MissEliza,IhearyouarequitedelightedwithGeorgeWickham!Yoursister

hasbeentalkingtomeabouthim,andaskingmeathousandquestions;andIfindthattheyoungmanquite forgot to tellyou,amonghisothercommunication, thathewasthesonofoldWickham,thelateMr.Darcy’ssteward.Letmerecommendyou,how-

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ever, as a friend, not to give implicit confidence to all his assertions; for as toMr.Darcy’susinghimill,itisperfectlyfalse;for,onthecontrary,hehasalwaysbeenre-markablykindtohim,thoughGeorgeWickhamhastreatedMr.Darcyinamostinfa-mousmanner.Idonotknowtheparticulars,butIknowverywellthatMr.Darcyisnotintheleasttoblame,thathecannotbeartohearGeorgeWickhammentioned,andthatthoughmybrotherthoughtthathecouldnotwellavoidincludinghiminhisinvitationto the officers, hewas excessively glad to find that he had taken himself out of theway.Hiscomingintothecountryatallisamostinsolentthing,indeed,andIwonderhow he could presume to do it. I pity you, Miss Eliza, for this discovery of yourfavourite’sguilt;but really, consideringhisdescent,onecouldnotexpectmuchbet-ter.”“Hisguiltandhisdescentappearbyyouraccounttobethesame,”saidElizabethan-

grily;“forIhaveheardyouaccusehimofnothingworsethanofbeingthesonofMr.Darcy’ssteward,andofthat,Icanassureyou,heinformedmehimself.”“Ibegyourpardon,”repliedMissBingley,turningawaywithasneer.“Excusemy

interference—itwaskindlymeant.”“Insolentgirl!”saidElizabethtoherself.“Youaremuchmistakenifyouexpectto

influencemebysuchapaltryattackasthis.Iseenothinginitbutyourownwilfulig-noranceandthemaliceofMr.Darcy.”Shethensoughthereldestsister,whohadun-dertakentomakeinquiriesonthesamesubjectofBingley.Janemetherwithasmileofsuchsweetcomplacency,aglowofsuchhappyexpression,assufficientlymarkedhowwell shewas satisfiedwith the occurrences of the evening. Elizabeth instantlyreadherfeelings,andat thatmomentsolicitudeforWickham,resentmentagainsthisenemies,andeverythingelse,gavewaybeforethehopeofJane’sbeinginthefairestwayforhappiness.“Iwant to know,” said she,with a countenance no less smiling than her sister’s,

“whatyouhavelearntaboutMr.Wickham.Butperhapsyouhavebeentoopleasantlyengagedtothinkofanythirdperson;inwhichcaseyoumaybesureofmypardon.”“No,”repliedJane,“Ihavenotforgottenhim;butIhavenothingsatisfactorytotell

you.Mr.Bingleydoesnotknowthewholeofhishistory,andisquiteignorantofthecircumstanceswhichhaveprincipallyoffendedMr.Darcy;buthewillvouch for thegoodconduct,theprobity,andhonourofhisfriend,andisperfectlyconvincedthatMr.WickhamhasdeservedmuchlessattentionfromMr.Darcythanhehasreceived;andIamsorrytosaybyhisaccountaswellashissister’s,Mr.Wickhamisbynomeansarespectableyoungman.Iamafraidhehasbeenveryimprudent,andhasdeservedtoloseMr.Darcy’sregard.”“Mr.BingleydoesnotknowMr.Wickhamhimself?”“No;heneversawhimtilltheothermorningatMeryton.”

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“ThisaccounttheniswhathehasreceivedfromMr.Darcy.Iamsatisfied.Butwhatdoeshesayoftheliving?”“He does not exactly recollect the circumstances, though he has heard them from

Mr.Darcymorethanonce,buthebelievesthatitwaslefttohimconditionallyonly.”“I have not a doubt ofMr.Bingley’s sincerity,” saidElizabethwarmly; “but you

mustexcusemynotbeingconvincedbyassurancesonly.Mr.Bingley’sdefenseofhisfriendwasaveryableone,Idaresay;butsinceheisunacquaintedwithseveralpartsofthestory,andhaslearnttherestfromthatfriendhimself,IshallventuretostillthinkofbothgentlemenasIdidbefore.”Shethenchangedthediscoursetoonemoregratifyingtoeach,andonwhichthere

could be no difference of sentiment. Elizabeth listened with delight to the happy,thoughmodesthopeswhichJaneentertainedofMr.Bingley’sregard,andsaidall inherpowertoheightenherconfidenceinit.OntheirbeingjoinedbyMr.Bingleyhim-self,ElizabethwithdrewtoMissLucas;towhoseinquiryafterthepleasantnessofherlastpartnershehadscarcelyreplied,beforeMr.Collinscameuptothem,andtoldherwithgreat exultation thathehad justbeen so fortunateas tomakeamost importantdiscovery.“Ihavefoundout,”saidhe,“byasingularaccident,thatthereisnowintherooma

nearrelationofmypatroness.Ihappenedtooverhearthegentlemanhimselfmention-ingtotheyoungladywhodoesthehonoursofthehousethenamesofhiscousinMissdeBourgh,andofhermotherLadyCatherine.Howwonderfully thesesortof thingsoccur! Who would have thought of my meeting with, perhaps, a nephew of LadyCatherinedeBourghinthisassembly!Iammostthankfulthatthediscoveryismadeintimeformetopaymyrespectstohim,whichIamnowgoingtodo,andtrusthewillexcusemynothavingdoneitbefore.Mytotalignoranceoftheconnectionmustpleadmyapology.”“YouarenotgoingtointroduceyourselftoMr.Darcy!”“IndeedIam.Ishallentreathispardonfornothavingdoneitearlier.Ibelievehim

tobeLadyCatherine’snephew.Itwillbeinmypowertoassurehimthatherladyshipwasquitewellyesterdayse’nnight.”Elizabeth tried hard to dissuade him from such a scheme, assuring him thatMr.

Darcywouldconsiderhisaddressinghimwithoutintroductionasanimpertinentfree-dom,ratherthanacomplimenttohisaunt;thatitwasnotintheleastnecessarythereshouldbeanynoticeoneitherside;andthatifitwere,itmustbelongtoMr.Darcy,thesuperiorinconsequence,tobegintheacquaintance.Mr.Collinslistenedtoherwiththedetermined air of following his own inclination, and, when she ceased speaking,repliedthus:“MydearMissElizabeth,Ihavethehighestopinionintheworldinyourexcellent

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judgementinallmatterswithinthescopeofyourunderstanding;butpermitmetosay,that there must be a wide difference between the established forms of ceremonyamongst the laity,andthosewhichregulate theclergy;for,givemeleavetoobservethatIconsidertheclericalofficeasequalinpointofdignitywiththehighestrankinthekingdom—providedthataproperhumilityofbehaviourisatthesametimemain-tained.Youmust thereforeallowme to follow thedictatesofmyconscienceon thisoccasion,whichleadsmetoperformwhatIlookonasapointofduty.Pardonmeforneglectingtoprofitbyyouradvice,whichoneveryothersubjectshallbemyconstantguide,thoughinthecasebeforeusIconsidermyselfmorefittedbyeducationandha-bitualstudytodecideonwhatisrightthanayoungladylikeyourself.”Andwithalowbow he left her to attack Mr. Darcy, whose reception of his advances she eagerlywatched,andwhoseastonishmentatbeingsoaddressedwasveryevident.Hercousinprefacedhisspeechwithasolemnbowandthoughshecouldnothearawordofit,shefelt as if hearing it all, and saw in the motion of his lips the words “apology,”“Hunsford,”and“LadyCatherinedeBourgh.”Itvexedhertoseehimexposehimselftosuchaman.Mr.Darcywaseyeinghimwithunrestrainedwonder,andwhenatlastMr. Collins allowed him time to speak, replied with an air of distant civility. Mr.Collins,however,wasnotdiscouragedfromspeakingagain,andMr.Darcy’scontemptseemedabundantlyincreasingwiththelengthofhissecondspeech,andattheendofitheonlymadehimaslightbow,andmovedanotherway.Mr.CollinsthenreturnedtoElizabeth.“Ihavenoreason,Iassureyou,”saidhe,“tobedissatisfiedwithmyreception.Mr.

Darcyseemedmuchpleasedwiththeattention.Heansweredmewiththeutmostcivil-ity,andevenpaidmethecomplimentofsayingthathewassowellconvincedofLadyCatherine’sdiscernmentastobecertainshecouldneverbestowafavourunworthily.Itwasreallyaveryhandsomethought.Uponthewhole,Iammuchpleasedwithhim.”AsElizabethhadnolongeranyinterestofherowntopursue,sheturnedheratten-

tionalmostentirelyonhersisterandMr.Bingley;andthetrainofagreeablereflectionswhichherobservationsgavebirthto,madeherperhapsalmostashappyasJane.Shesawherinideasettledinthatveryhouse,inallthefelicitywhichamarriageoftrueaf-fectioncouldbestow;andshefeltcapable,undersuchcircumstances,ofendeavouringeventolikeBingley’stwosisters.Hermother’sthoughtssheplainlysawwerebentthesameway,andshedeterminednottoventurenearher,lestshemightheartoomuch.Whentheysatdowntosupper, therefore,sheconsidereditamostunluckyperverse-nesswhichplaced themwithinoneofeachother; anddeeplywas shevexed to findthat hermother was talking to that one person (Lady Lucas) freely, openly, and ofnothing elsebut her expectation that Janewould soonbemarried toMr.Bingley. Itwasananimatingsubject,andMrs.Bennetseemedincapableoffatiguewhileenumer-atingtheadvantagesofthematch.Hisbeingsuchacharmingyoungman,andsorich,

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andlivingbutthreemilesfromthem,werethefirstpointsofself-gratulation;andthenitwassuchacomforttothinkhowfondthetwosisterswereofJane,andtobecertainthattheymustdesiretheconnectionasmuchasshecoulddo.Itwas,moreover,suchapromisingthingforheryoungerdaughters,asJane’smarryingsogreatlymust throwtheminthewayofotherrichmen;andlastly,itwassopleasantathertimeoflifetobeable toconsignher singledaughters to thecareof their sister, that shemightnotbeobligedtogointocompanymorethansheliked.Itwasnecessarytomakethiscircum-stanceamatterofpleasure,becauseonsuchoccasions it is theetiquette;butnoonewaslesslikelythanMrs.Bennettofindcomfortinstayinghomeatanyperiodofherlife.SheconcludedwithmanygoodwishesthatLadyLucasmightsoonbeequallyfor-tunate,thoughevidentlyandtriumphantlybelievingtherewasnochanceofit.InvaindidElizabethendeavourtochecktherapidityofhermother’swords,orper-

suade her to describe her felicity in a less audiblewhisper; for, to her inexpressiblevexation,shecouldperceivethatthechiefofitwasoverheardbyMr.Darcy,whosatoppositetothem.Hermotheronlyscoldedherforbeingnonsensical.“WhatisMr.Darcytome,pray,thatIshouldbeafraidofhim?Iamsureweowe

himnosuchparticularcivilityastobeobligedtosaynothinghemaynotliketohear.”“Forheaven’ssake,madam,speak lower.Whatadvantagecan itbeforyoutoof-

fendMr.Darcy?Youwillneverrecommendyourselftohisfriendbysodoing!”Nothingthatshecouldsay,however,hadanyinfluence.Hermotherwouldtalkof

her views in the same intelligible tone. Elizabeth blushed and blushed again withshame and vexation. She could not help frequently glancing her eye atMr. Darcy,thougheveryglanceconvincedherofwhatshedreaded;forthoughhewasnotalwayslookingathermother,shewasconvincedthathisattentionwasinvariablyfixedbyher.Theexpressionofhisfacechangedgraduallyfromindignantcontempttoacomposedandsteadygravity.Atlength,however,Mrs.Bennethadnomoretosay;andLadyLucas,whohadbeen

longyawningattherepetitionofdelightswhichshesawnolikelihoodofsharing,waslefttothecomfortsofcoldhamandchicken.Elizabethnowbegantorevive.Butnotlongwastheintervaloftranquillity;for,whensupperwasover,singingwastalkedof,and she had themortification of seeingMary, after very little entreaty, preparing toobligethecompany.Bymanysignificantlooksandsilententreaties,didsheendeavourtopreventsuchaproofofcomplaisance,butinvain;Marywouldnotunderstandthem;suchanopportunityofexhibitingwasdelightfultoher,andshebeganhersong.Eliza-beth’s eyes were fixed on her with most painful sensations, and she watched herprogressthroughtheseveralstanzaswithanimpatiencewhichwasveryillrewardedattheirclose;forMary,onreceiving,amongstthethanksofthetable,thehintofahopethatshemightbeprevailedontofavourthemagain,after thepauseofhalfaminutebegananother.Mary’spowerswerebynomeansfittedforsuchadisplay;hervoice

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wasweak,andhermanneraffected.Elizabethwasinagonies.ShelookedatJane,toseehowsheboreit;butJanewasverycomposedlytalkingtoBingley.Shelookedathistwosisters,andsawthemmakingsignsofderisionateachother,andatDarcy,whocontinued,however,imperturbablygrave.Shelookedatherfathertoentreathisinter-ference, lestMaryshouldbesingingallnight.He took thehint,andwhenMaryhadfinishedhersecondsong,saidaloud,“Thatwilldoextremelywell,child.Youhavede-lighteduslongenough.Lettheotheryoungladieshavetimetoexhibit.”Mary, though pretending not to hear, was somewhat disconcerted; and Elizabeth,

sorry for her, and sorry for her father’s speech,was afraid her anxiety had done nogood.Othersofthepartywerenowappliedto.“IfI,”saidMr.Collins,“weresofortunateastobeabletosing,Ishouldhavegreat

pleasure,Iamsure,inobligingthecompanywithanair;forIconsidermusicasaveryinnocentdiversion,andperfectlycompatiblewiththeprofessionofaclergyman.Idonotmean,however,toassertthatwecanbejustifiedindevotingtoomuchofourtimetomusic,for therearecertainlyother thingstobeattendedto.Therectorofaparishhasmuchtodo.Inthefirstplace,hemustmakesuchanagreementfortithesasmaybebeneficialtohimselfandnotoffensivetohispatron.Hemustwritehisownsermons;andthetimethatremainswillnotbetoomuchforhisparishduties,andthecareandimprovementofhisdwelling,whichhecannotbeexcusedfrommakingascomfortableaspossible.AndIdonotthinkitoflightimportancethatheshouldhaveattentiveandconciliatorymanners towardseverybody, especially towards those towhomheoweshispreferment.Icannotacquithimofthatduty;norcouldIthinkwellofthemanwhoshouldomitanoccasionoftestifyinghisrespecttowardsanybodyconnectedwiththefamily.”AndwithabowtoMr.Darcy,heconcludedhisspeech,whichhadbeenspo-kensoloudastobeheardbyhalftheroom.Manystared—manysmiled;butnoonelookedmore amused thanMr.Bennet himself,while hiswife seriously commendedMr. Collins for having spoken so sensibly, and observed in a half-whisper to LadyLucas,thathewasaremarkablyclever,goodkindofyoungman.ToElizabeth it appeared that,hadher familymadeanagreement toexpose them-

selves asmuchas theycouldduring theevening, itwouldhavebeen impossible forthemtoplaytheirpartswithmorespiritorfinersuccess;andhappydidshethinkitforBingleyandhersisterthatsomeoftheexhibitionhadescapedhisnotice,andthathisfeelingswerenotofasorttobemuchdistressedbythefollywhichhemusthavewit-nessed.ThathistwosistersandMr.Darcy,however,shouldhavesuchanopportunityofridiculingherrelations,wasbadenough,andshecouldnotdeterminewhetherthesilentcontemptofthegentleman,ortheinsolentsmilesoftheladies,weremoreintol-erable.Therestoftheeveningbroughtherlittleamusement.ShewasteasedbyMr.Collins,

whocontinuedmostperseveringlybyherside,andthoughhecouldnotprevailonher

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todancewithhimagain,putitoutofherpowertodancewithothers.Invaindidsheentreathimtostandupwithsomebodyelse,andoffertointroducehimtoanyyoungladyintheroom.Heassuredher,thatastodancing,hewasperfectlyindifferenttoit;thathischiefobjectwasbydelicateattentionstorecommendhimselftoherandthatheshouldthereforemakeapointofremainingclosetoherthewholeevening.Therewasnoarguinguponsuchaproject.SheowedhergreatestrelieftoherfriendMissLucas,whooftenjoinedthem,andgood-naturedlyengagedMr.Collins’sconversationtoher-self.Shewasat least free fromtheoffenseofMr.Darcy’s furthernotice; thoughoften

standing within a very short distance of her, quite disengaged, he never came nearenough to speak. She felt it to be the probable consequence of her allusions toMr.Wickham,andrejoicedinit.TheLongbournpartywerethelastofallthecompanytodepart,and,byamanoeu-

vreofMrs.Bennet,hadtowaitfortheircarriageaquarterofanhouraftereverybodyelsewasgone,whichgavethemtimetoseehowheartily theywerewishedawaybysomeofthefamily.Mrs.Hurstandhersisterscarcelyopenedtheirmouths,excepttocomplain of fatigue, andwere evidently impatient to have the house to themselves.TheyrepulsedeveryattemptofMrs.Bennetatconversation,andbysodoingthrewalanguorover thewholeparty,whichwasvery little relievedby the longspeechesofMr.Collins,whowascomplimentingMr.Bingleyandhis sisterson theeleganceoftheirentertainment,andthehospitalityandpolitenesswhichhadmarkedtheirbehav-iourtotheirguests.Darcysaidnothingatall.Mr.Bennet,inequalsilence,wasenjoy-ingthescene.Mr.BingleyandJanewerestandingtogether,alittledetachedfromtherest, and talked only to each other.Elizabeth preserved as steady a silence as eitherMrs.HurstorMissBingley;andevenLydiawastoomuchfatiguedtouttermorethantheoccasionalexclamationof“Lord,howtiredIam!”accompaniedbyaviolentyawn.Whenat length theyarose to take leave,Mrs.Bennetwasmostpressinglycivil in

herhopeofseeing thewhole familysoonatLongbourn,andaddressedherselfespe-ciallytoMr.Bingley,toassurehimhowhappyhewouldmakethembyeatingafamilydinnerwiththematanytime,withouttheceremonyofaformalinvitation.Bingleywasallgratefulpleasure,andhereadilyengagedfortakingtheearliestopportunityofwait-ingonher,afterhisreturnfromLondon,whitherhewasobligedtogothenextdayforashorttime.Mrs.Bennetwasperfectlysatisfied,andquittedthehouseunderthedelightfulper-

suasionthat,allowingforthenecessarypreparationsofsettlements,newcarriages,andweddingclothes,sheshouldundoubtedlyseeherdaughtersettledatNetherfieldinthecourseofthreeorfourmonths.OfhavinganotherdaughtermarriedtoMr.Collins,shethoughtwithequalcertainty,andwithconsiderable,thoughnotequal,pleasure.Eliza-bethwas the leastdear toherofallherchildren;and though themanand thematch

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werequitegoodenoughforher, theworthofeachwaseclipsedbyMr.BingleyandNetherfield.

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Chapter19

ThenextdayopenedanewsceneatLongbourn.Mr.Collinsmadehisdeclarationinform.Havingresolvedtodoitwithoutlossoftime,ashisleaveofabsenceextendedonly to the followingSaturday, and having no feelings of diffidence tomake it dis-tressingtohimselfevenatthemoment,hesetaboutitinaveryorderlymanner,withalltheobservances,whichhesupposedaregularpartofthebusiness.OnfindingMrs.Bennet,Elizabeth,andoneof theyoungergirls together,soonafterbreakfast,head-dressedthemotherinthesewords:“MayIhope,madam,foryourinterestwithyourfairdaughterElizabeth,whenIso-

licitforthehonourofaprivateaudiencewithherinthecourseofthismorning?”Before Elizabeth had time for anything but a blush of surprise,Mrs. Bennet an-

swered instantly, “Ohdear!—yes—certainly. I am sureLizzywill beveryhappy—Iamsureshecanhavenoobjection.Come,Kitty,Iwantyouupstairs.”And,gatheringherworktogether,shewashasteningaway,whenElizabethcalledout:“Dearmadam,donotgo.Ibegyouwillnotgo.Mr.Collinsmustexcuseme.Hecan

havenothingtosaytomethatanybodyneednothear.Iamgoingawaymyself.”“No,no,nonsense,Lizzy.Idesireyoutostaywhereyouare.”AnduponElizabeth’s

seemingreally,withvexedandembarrassedlooks,abouttoescape,sheadded:“Lizzy,IinsistuponyourstayingandhearingMr.Collins.”Elizabeth would not oppose such an injunction—and a moment’s consideration

makingheralsosensiblethatitwouldbewisesttogetitoverassoonandasquietlyaspossible,shesatdownagainand tried toconceal,by incessantemployment thefeel-ingswhichweredividedbetweendistressanddiversion.Mrs.BennetandKittywalkedoff,andassoonastheyweregone,Mr.Collinsbegan.“Believeme,mydearMissElizabeth,thatyourmodesty,sofarfromdoingyouany

disservice,ratheraddstoyourotherperfections.Youwouldhavebeenlessamiableinmyeyeshadtherenotbeenthislittleunwillingness;butallowmetoassureyou,thatIhaveyour respectedmother’s permission for this address.You canhardlydoubt thepurportofmydiscourse,howeveryournaturaldelicacymayleadyoutodissemble;myattentionshavebeentoomarkedtobemistaken.AlmostassoonasIenteredthehouse,Isingledyououtasthecompanionofmyfuturelife.ButbeforeIamrunawaywithby

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myfeelingsonthissubject,perhapsitwouldbeadvisableformetostatemyreasonsformarrying—and,moreover,forcomingintoHertfordshirewiththedesignofselect-ingawife,asIcertainlydid.”TheideaofMr.Collins,withallhissolemncomposure,beingrunawaywithbyhis

feelings,madeElizabethsonearlaughing,thatshecouldnotusetheshortpauseheal-lowedinanyattempttostophimfurther,andhecontinued:“Myreasonsformarryingare,first,thatIthinkitarightthingforeveryclergyman

ineasycircumstances(likemyself)tosettheexampleofmatrimonyinhisparish;sec-ondly,thatIamconvincedthatitwilladdverygreatlytomyhappiness;andthirdly—whichperhapsIoughttohavementionedearlier,thatitistheparticularadviceandrec-ommendation of the very noble ladywhom I have the honour of calling patroness.Twicehasshecondescendedtogivemeheropinion(unaskedtoo!)onthissubject;andit was but the very Saturday night before I left Hunsford—between our pools atquadrille, whileMrs. Jenkinsonwas arrangingMiss de Bourgh’s footstool, that shesaid,‘Mr.Collins,youmustmarry.Aclergymanlikeyoumustmarry.Chooseprop-erly,chooseagentlewomanformysake;andforyourown,letherbeanactive,usefulsortofperson,notbroughtuphigh,butabletomakeasmallincomegoagoodway.Thisismyadvice.Findsuchawomanassoonasyoucan,bringhertoHunsford,andIwillvisither.’Allowme,bytheway,toobserve,myfaircousin,thatIdonotreckonthenoticeandkindnessofLadyCatherinedeBourghasamongtheleastoftheadvan-tagesinmypowertooffer.YouwillfindhermannersbeyondanythingIcandescribe;andyourwitandvivacity,Ithink,mustbeacceptabletoher,especiallywhentemperedwiththesilenceandrespectwhichherrankwillinevitablyexcite.Thusmuchformygeneralintentioninfavourofmatrimony;itremainstobetoldwhymyviewsweredi-rectedtowardsLongbourninsteadofmyownneighbourhood,whereIcanassureyoutherearemanyamiableyoungwomen.But thefact is, thatbeing,as Iam, to inheritthisestateafterthedeathofyourhonouredfather(who,however,maylivemanyyearslonger),Icouldnotsatisfymyselfwithoutresolvingtochooseawifefromamonghisdaughters, that the loss to themmight be as little as possible,when themelancholyevent takes place—which, however, as I have already said, may not be for severalyears.Thishasbeenmymotive,myfaircousin,andIflattermyselfitwillnotsinkmeinyouresteem.Andnownothing remains formebut toassureyou in themostani-matedlanguageoftheviolenceofmyaffection.TofortuneIamperfectlyindifferent,andshallmakenodemandofthatnatureonyourfather,sinceIamwellawarethatitcouldnotbecompliedwith;andthatonethousandpoundsinthefourpercents,whichwillnotbeyourstillafteryourmother’sdecease,isallthatyoumayeverbeentitledto.On that head, therefore, I shall beuniformly silent; andyoumayassureyourselfthatnoungenerousreproachshalleverpassmylipswhenwearemarried.”Itwasabsolutelynecessarytointerrupthimnow.

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“Youaretoohasty,sir,”shecried.“YouforgetthatIhavemadenoanswer.Letmedoitwithoutfurtherlossoftime.Acceptmythanksforthecomplimentyouarepayingme.Iamverysensibleofthehonourofyourproposals,butitisimpossibleformetodootherwisethantodeclinethem.”“Iamnotnowtolearn,”repliedMr.Collins,withaformalwaveofthehand,“thatit

isusualwithyoungladiestorejecttheaddressesofthemanwhomtheysecretlymeantoaccept,whenhefirstappliesfortheirfavour;andthatsometimestherefusalisre-peatedasecond,orevenathirdtime.Iamthereforebynomeansdiscouragedbywhatyouhavejustsaid,andshallhopetoleadyoutothealtarerelong.”“Uponmyword,sir,”criedElizabeth,“yourhopeisaratherextraordinaryoneafter

mydeclaration.IdoassureyouthatIamnotoneofthoseyoungladies(ifsuchyoungladies thereare)whoare sodaringas to risk theirhappinesson thechanceofbeingasked a second time. I am perfectly serious inmy refusal.You could notmakemehappy,andIamconvincedthatIamthelastwomanintheworldwhocouldmakeyouso.Nay,wereyourfriendLadyCatherinetoknowme,Iampersuadedshewouldfindmeineveryrespectillqualifiedforthesituation.”“WereitcertainthatLadyCatherinewouldthinkso,”saidMr.Collinsverygravely

—“butIcannotimaginethatherladyshipwouldatalldisapproveofyou.AndyoumaybecertainwhenIhavethehonourofseeingheragain,Ishallspeakintheveryhighesttermsofyourmodesty,economy,andotheramiablequalification.”“Indeed,Mr.Collins,allpraiseofmewillbeunnecessary.Youmustgivemeleave

to judgeformyself,andpayme thecomplimentofbelievingwhat Isay. Iwishyouveryhappyandvery rich,andbyrefusingyourhand,doall inmypower topreventyourbeingotherwise.Inmakingmetheoffer,youmusthavesatisfiedthedelicacyofyourfeelingswithregardtomyfamily,andmaytakepossessionofLongbournestatewheneveritfalls,withoutanyself-reproach.Thismattermaybeconsidered,therefore,asfinallysettled.”Andrisingasshethusspoke,shewouldhavequittedtheroom,hadMr.Collinsnotthusaddressedher:“WhenIdomyselfthehonourofspeakingtoyounextonthesubject,Ishallhopeto

receiveamorefavourableanswerthanyouhavenowgivenme;thoughIamfarfromaccusingyouofcrueltyatpresent,becauseIknowit tobe theestablishedcustomofyoursextorejectamanonthefirstapplication,andperhapsyouhaveevennowsaidasmuchtoencouragemysuitaswouldbeconsistentwiththetruedelicacyofthefe-malecharacter.”“Really,Mr.Collins,”criedElizabethwithsomewarmth,“youpuzzlemeexceed-

ingly.IfwhatIhavehithertosaidcanappeartoyouintheformofencouragement,Iknownot how to expressmy refusal in such away as to convince you of its beingone.”

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“Youmustgivemeleavetoflattermyself,mydearcousin,thatyourrefusalofmyaddresses ismerelywordsofcourse.Myreasonsforbelieving itarebriefly these: Itdoesnotappeartomethatmyhandisunworthyofyouracceptance,orthattheestab-lishmentIcanofferwouldbeanyotherthanhighlydesirable.Mysituationinlife,myconnectionswith the familyofdeBourgh,andmyrelationship toyourown,arecir-cumstanceshighlyinmyfavour;andyoushouldtakeitintofurtherconsideration,thatin spite of yourmanifold attractions, it is by nomeans certain that another offer ofmarriagemayeverbemadeyou.Yourportionisunhappilysosmallthatitwillinalllikelihood undo the effects of your loveliness and amiable qualifications.As Imustthereforeconcludethatyouarenotseriousinyourrejectionofme,Ishallchoosetoat-tributeittoyourwishofincreasingmylovebysuspense,accordingtotheusualprac-ticeofelegantfemales.”“Idoassureyou, sir, that Ihavenopretensionswhatever to thatkindofelegance

whichconsistsintormentingarespectableman.Iwouldratherbepaidthecomplimentofbeingbelievedsincere.I thankyouagainandagainfor thehonouryouhavedonemeinyourproposals,buttoacceptthemisabsolutelyimpossible.Myfeelingsineveryrespectforbidit.CanIspeakplainer?Donotconsidermenowasanelegantfemale,intendingtoplagueyou,butasarationalcreature,speakingthetruthfromherheart.”“Youareuniformlycharming!”criedhe,withanairofawkwardgallantry;“andI

ampersuadedthatwhensanctionedbytheexpressauthorityofbothyourexcellentpar-ents,myproposalswillnotfailofbeingacceptable.”Tosuchperseverance inwilfulself-deceptionElizabethwouldmakenoreply,and

immediatelyandinsilencewithdrew;determined,ifhepersistedinconsideringherre-peated refusals as flattering encouragement, to apply to her father, whose negativemightbeutteredinsuchamannerastobedecisive,andwhosebehaviouratleastcouldnotbemistakenfortheaffectationandcoquetryofanelegantfemale.

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Chapter20

Mr.Collinswasnotleftlongtothesilentcontemplationofhissuccessfullove;forMrs.Bennet,havingdawdledaboutinthevestibuletowatchfortheendoftheconfer-ence,nosoonersawElizabethopenthedoorandwithquicksteppasshertowardsthestaircase,thansheenteredthebreakfast-room,andcongratulatedbothhimandherselfinwarmtermsonthehappyprospectoftheirnearerconnection.Mr.Collinsreceivedand returned these felicitationswithequalpleasure, and thenproceeded to relate theparticularsoftheirinterview,withtheresultofwhichhetrustedhehadeveryreasontobesatisfied,sincetherefusalwhichhiscousinhadsteadfastlygivenhimwouldnatu-rallyflowfromherbashfulmodestyandthegenuinedelicacyofhercharacter.This information, however, startledMrs.Bennet; shewould have been glad to be

equallysatisfied thatherdaughterhadmeant toencouragehimbyprotestingagainsthisproposals,butshedarednotbelieveit,andcouldnothelpsayingso.“But,dependuponit,Mr.Collins,”sheadded,“thatLizzyshallbebroughttorea-

son.Iwillspeaktoheraboutitdirectly.Sheisaveryheadstrong,foolishgirl,anddoesnotknowherowninterestbutIwillmakeherknowit.”“Pardonme for interrupting you,madam,” criedMr.Collins; “but if she is really

headstrongandfoolish,Iknownotwhethershewouldaltogetherbeaverydesirablewifetoamaninmysituation,whonaturallylooksforhappinessinthemarriagestate.Ifthereforesheactuallypersistsinrejectingmysuit,perhapsitwerebetternottoforceherintoacceptingme,becauseifliabletosuchdefectsoftemper,shecouldnotcon-tributemuchtomyfelicity.”“Sir,youquitemisunderstandme,”saidMrs.Bennet,alarmed.“Lizzyisonlyhead-

stronginsuchmattersasthese.Ineverythingelsesheisasgood-naturedagirlaseverlived.IwillgodirectlytoMr.Bennet,andweshallverysoonsettleitwithher,Iamsure.”Shewouldnotgivehimtimetoreply,buthurryinginstantlytoherhusband,called

outassheenteredthelibrary,“Oh!Mr.Bennet,youarewantedimmediately;weareallinanuproar.YoumustcomeandmakeLizzymarryMr.Collins,forshevowsshewillnothavehim,andifyoudonotmakehastehewillchangehismindandnothaveher.”

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Mr.Bennetraisedhiseyesfromhisbookassheentered,andfixedthemonherfacewithacalmunconcernwhichwasnotintheleastalteredbyhercommunication.“Ihavenotthepleasureofunderstandingyou,”saidhe,whenshehadfinishedher

speech.“Ofwhatareyoutalking?”“OfMr.CollinsandLizzy.Lizzydeclares shewillnothaveMr.Collins,andMr.

CollinsbeginstosaythathewillnothaveLizzy.”“AndwhatamItodoontheoccasion?Itseemsanhopelessbusiness.”“SpeaktoLizzyaboutityourself.Tellherthatyouinsistuponhermarryinghim.”“Letherbecalleddown.Sheshallhearmyopinion.”Mrs.Bennetrangthebell,andMissElizabethwassummonedtothelibrary.“Comehere,child,”criedherfatherassheappeared.“Ihavesentforyouonanaf-

fairofimportance.IunderstandthatMr.Collinshasmadeyouanofferofmarriage.Isittrue?”Elizabethrepliedthatitwas.“Verywell—andthisofferofmarriageyouhaverefused?”“Ihave,sir.”“Verywell.Wenowcometothepoint.Yourmotherinsistsuponyouracceptingit.

Isitnotso,Mrs.Bennet?”“Yes,orIwillneverseeheragain.”“An unhappy alternative is before you, Elizabeth. From this day you must be a

stranger tooneofyourparents.Yourmotherwillnever seeyouagain ifyoudonotmarryMr.Collins,andIwillneverseeyouagainifyoudo.”Elizabeth could not but smile at such a conclusion of such a beginning, butMrs.

Bennet,whohadpersuadedherselfthatherhusbandregardedtheaffairasshewished,wasexcessivelydisappointed.“What doyoumean,Mr.Bennet, in talking thisway?Youpromisedme to insist

uponhermarryinghim.”“Mydear,”repliedherhusband,“Ihavetwosmallfavourstorequest.First,thatyou

willallowmethefreeuseofmyunderstandingonthepresentoccasion;andsecondly,ofmyroom.Ishallbegladtohavethelibrarytomyselfassoonasmaybe.”Notyet,however, in spiteofherdisappointment inherhusband,didMrs.Bennet

giveupthepoint.ShetalkedtoElizabethagainandagain;coaxedandthreatenedherby turns. She endeavoured to secure Jane in her interest; but Jane,with all possiblemildness, declined interfering; and Elizabeth, sometimes with real earnestness, andsometimeswithplayfulgaiety,repliedtoherattacks.Thoughhermannervaried,how-ever,herdeterminationneverdid.Mr.Collins,meanwhile,wasmeditatinginsolitudeonwhathadpassed.Hethought

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toowellofhimselftocomprehendonwhatmotiveshiscousincouldrefusehim;andthoughhispridewashurt,hesuffered innootherway.His regard forherwasquiteimaginary; and the possibility of her deserving hermother’s reproach prevented hisfeelinganyregret.Whilethefamilywereinthisconfusion,CharlotteLucascametospendthedaywith

them.ShewasmetinthevestibulebyLydia,who,flyingtoher,criedinahalfwhis-per,“Iamgladyouarecome,forthereissuchfunhere!Whatdoyouthinkhashap-pened thismorning?Mr.Collins hasmade an offer toLizzy, and shewill not havehim.”Charlottehardlyhadtimetoanswer,beforetheywerejoinedbyKitty,whocameto

tell the same news; and no sooner had they entered the breakfast-room,whereMrs.Bennetwasalone, thanshe likewisebeganon thesubject,callingonMissLucasforher compassion, and entreating her to persuade her friendLizzy to complywith thewishesofallherfamily.“Praydo,mydearMissLucas,”sheaddedinamelancholytone,“fornobodyisonmyside,nobodytakespartwithme.Iamcruellyused,nobodyfeelsformypoornerves.”Charlotte’sreplywassparedbytheentranceofJaneandElizabeth.“Aye, there she comes,” continuedMrs.Bennet, “looking as unconcerned asmay

be,andcaringnomoreforusthanifwewereatYork,providedshecanhaveherownway.ButItellyou,MissLizzy—ifyoutakeitintoyourheadtogoonrefusingeveryofferofmarriageinthisway,youwillnevergetahusbandatall—andIamsureIdonotknowwhoistomaintainyouwhenyourfatherisdead.Ishallnotbeabletokeepyou—andsoIwarnyou.Ihavedonewithyoufromthisveryday.Itoldyouintheli-brary,youknow,thatIshouldneverspeaktoyouagain,andyouwillfindmeasgoodasmyword.Ihavenopleasureintalkingtoundutifulchildren.NotthatIhavemuchpleasure,indeed,intalkingtoanybody.PeoplewhosufferasIdofromnervouscom-plaintscanhavenogreatinclinationfortalking.NobodycantellwhatIsuffer!Butitisalwaysso.Thosewhodonotcomplainareneverpitied.”Herdaughterslistenedinsilencetothiseffusion,sensiblethatanyattempttoreason

withherorsootheherwouldonlyincreasetheirritation.Shetalkedon,therefore,with-outinterruptionfromanyofthem,tilltheywerejoinedbyMr.Collins,whoenteredtheroomwith an airmore stately than usual, and on perceivingwhom, she said to thegirls,“Now,Idoinsistuponit,thatyou,allofyou,holdyourtongues,andletmeandMr.Collinshavealittleconversationtogether.”Elizabethpassedquietlyoutoftheroom,JaneandKittyfollowed,butLydiastood

herground,determinedtohearallshecould;andCharlotte,detainedfirstbythecivil-ityofMr.Collins,whoseinquiriesafterherselfandallherfamilywereveryminute,andthenbyalittlecuriosity,satisfiedherselfwithwalkingtothewindowandpretend-

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ingnottohear.InadolefulvoiceMrs.Bennetbegantheprojectedconversation:“Oh!Mr.Collins!”“Mydearmadam,”repliedhe,“letusbeforeversilentonthispoint.Farbeitfrom

me,”hepresentlycontinued,inavoicethatmarkedhisdispleasure,“toresentthebe-haviourofyourdaughter.Resignationtoinevitableevilsisthedutyofusall;thepecu-liardutyofayoungmanwhohasbeensofortunateasIhavebeeninearlypreferment;andItrustIamresigned.Perhapsnotthelesssofromfeelingadoubtofmypositivehappinesshadmyfaircousinhonouredmewithherhand; for Ihaveoftenobservedthat resignation isneversoperfectaswhen theblessingdeniedbegins to losesome-whatofitsvalueinourestimation.Youwillnot,Ihope,considermeasshowinganydisrespect to your family, my dear madam, by thus withdrawingmy pretensions toyourdaughter’sfavour,withouthavingpaidyourselfandMr.Bennetthecomplimentofrequestingyoutointerposeyourauthorityinmybehalf.Myconductmay,Ifear,beobjectionable inhavingacceptedmydismission fromyourdaughter’s lips insteadofyourown.Butweareallliabletoerror.Ihavecertainlymeantwellthroughthewholeaffair.Myobjecthasbeentosecureanamiablecompanionformyself,withduecon-siderationfortheadvantageofallyourfamily,andifmymannerhasbeenatallrepre-hensible,Iherebegleavetoapologise.”

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Chapter21

ThediscussionofMr.Collins’sofferwasnownearlyatanend,andElizabethhadonlytosufferfromtheuncomfortablefeelingsnecessarilyattendingit,andoccasion-allyfromsomepeevishallusionsofhermother.Asforthegentlemanhimself,hisfeel-ingswerechieflyexpressed,notbyembarrassmentordejection,orbytryingtoavoidher,butbystiffnessofmannerandresentfulsilence.Hescarcelyeverspoketoher,andtheassiduousattentionswhichhehadbeensosensibleofhimselfweretransferredfortherestofthedaytoMissLucas,whosecivilityinlisteningtohimwasaseasonablerelieftothemall,andespeciallytoherfriend.ThemorrowproducednoabatementofMrs.Bennet’s ill-humouror illhealth.Mr.

Collinswasalsointhesamestateofangrypride.Elizabethhadhopedthathisresent-mentmightshortenhisvisit,buthisplandidnotappearintheleastaffectedbyit.HewasalwaystohavegoneonSaturday,andtoSaturdayhemeanttostay.After breakfast, the girlswalked toMeryton to inquire ifMr.Wickhamwere re-

turned,and to lamentoverhisabsence from theNetherfieldball.He joined themontheirentering the town,andattended themto theiraunt’swherehis regretandvexa-tion,and theconcernofeverybody,waswell talkedover.ToElizabeth,however,hevoluntarilyacknowledgedthatthenecessityofhisabsencehadbeenself-imposed.“Ifound,”saidhe,“asthetimedrewnearthatIhadbetternotmeetMr.Darcy;that

tobeinthesameroom,thesamepartywithhimforsomanyhourstogether,mightbemorethanIcouldbear,andthatscenesmightariseunpleasanttomorethanmyself.”Shehighlyapprovedhisforbearance,andtheyhadleisureforafulldiscussionofit,

andforallthecommendationwhichtheycivillybestowedoneachother,asWickhamandanotherofficerwalkedbackwiththemtoLongbourn,andduringthewalkhepar-ticularlyattendedtoher.Hisaccompanyingthemwasadoubleadvantage;shefeltallthecomplimentitofferedtoherself,anditwasmostacceptableasanoccasionofintro-ducinghimtoherfatherandmother.Soonaftertheirreturn,aletterwasdeliveredtoMissBennet;itcamefromNether-

field.Theenvelopecontainedasheetofelegant,little,hot-pressedpaper,wellcoveredwithalady’sfair,flowinghand;andElizabethsawhersister’scountenancechangeasshereadit,andsawherdwellingintentlyonsomeparticularpassages.Janerecollected

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herselfsoon,andputtingtheletteraway,triedtojoinwithherusualcheerfulnessinthegeneralconversation;butElizabethfeltananxietyonthesubjectwhichdrewoffherattentionevenfromWickham;andnosoonerhadheandhiscompaniontakenleave,thanaglancefromJaneinvitedhertofollowherupstairs.Whentheyhadgainedtheirownroom,Jane,takingouttheletter,said:“ThisisfromCarolineBingley;whatitcontainshassurprisedmeagooddeal.The

wholepartyhaveleftNetherfieldbythistime,andareontheirwaytotown—andwith-outanyintentionofcomingbackagain.Youshallhearwhatshesays.”Shethenreadthefirstsentencealoud,whichcomprisedtheinformationoftheirhav-

ingjustresolvedtofollowtheirbrothertotowndirectly,andoftheirmeaningtodineinGrosvenorStreet,whereMr.Hursthadahouse.Thenextwasinthesewords:“Idonotpretend to regretanythingIshall leave inHertfordshire,exceptyoursociety,mydearestfriend;butwewillhope,atsomefutureperiod,toenjoymanyreturnsofthatdelightful intercoursewehaveknown, and in themeanwhilemay lessen thepainofseparationbyavery frequentandmostunreservedcorrespondence. Idependonyouforthat.”TothesehighflownexpressionsElizabethlistenedwithalltheinsensibilityofdistrust;andthoughthesuddennessoftheirremovalsurprisedher,shesawnothinginitreallytolament;itwasnottobesupposedthattheirabsencefromNetherfieldwouldpreventMr. Bingley’s being there; and as to the loss of their society, shewas per-suadedthatJanemustceasetoregardit,intheenjoymentofhis.“Itisunlucky,”saidshe,afterashortpause,“thatyoushouldnotbeabletoseeyour

friendsbefore they leave thecountry.Butmaywenothope that theperiodof futurehappinesstowhichMissBingleylooksforwardmayarriveearlier thansheisaware,andthatthedelightfulintercourseyouhaveknownasfriendswillberenewedwithyetgreatersatisfactionassisters?Mr.BingleywillnotbedetainedinLondonbythem.”“Caroline decidedly says that none of the partywill return intoHertfordshire this

winter.Iwillreadittoyou:”“Whenmybrotherleftusyesterday,heimaginedthatthebusinesswhichtookhim

toLondonmightbeconcludedinthreeorfourdays;butaswearecertainitcannotbeso, andat the same timeconvinced thatwhenCharlesgets to townhewillbe innohurrytoleaveitagain,wehavedeterminedonfollowinghimthither,thathemaynotbeobligedtospendhisvacanthoursinacomfortlesshotel.Manyofmyacquaintancesarealready there for thewinter; Iwish that Icouldhear thatyou,mydearest friend,hadanyintentionofmakingoneofthecrowd—butofthatIdespair.IsincerelyhopeyourChristmasinHertfordshiremayaboundinthegaietieswhichthatseasongener-allybrings,andthatyourbeauxwillbesonumerousastopreventyourfeelingthelossofthethreeofwhomweshalldepriveyou.”“Itisevidentbythis,”addedJane,“thathecomesbacknomorethiswinter.”

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“ItisonlyevidentthatMissBingleydoesnotmeanthatheshould.”“Whywillyouthinkso?Itmustbehisowndoing.Heishisownmaster.Butyoudo

notknowall.Iwillreadyouthepassagewhichparticularlyhurtsme.Iwillhavenore-servesfromyou.”“Mr.Darcyis impatient toseehissister;and, toconfess the truth,wearescarcely

lesseagertomeetheragain.IreallydonotthinkGeorgianaDarcyhasherequalforbeauty, elegance, andaccomplishments; and the affection she inspires inLouisa andmyselfisheightenedintosomethingstillmoreinteresting,fromthehopewedareen-tertainofherbeinghereafteroursister.IdonotknowwhetherIeverbeforementionedtoyoumyfeelingsonthissubject;butIwillnotleavethecountrywithoutconfidingthem, and I trust you will not esteem them unreasonable. My brother admires hergreatlyalready;hewillhavefrequentopportunitynowofseeingheronthemostinti-matefooting;herrelationsallwishtheconnectionasmuchashisown;andasister’spartialityisnotmisleadingme,Ithink,whenIcallCharlesmostcapableofengaginganywoman’sheart.Withallthesecircumstancestofavouranattachment,andnothingtoprevent it, amIwrong,mydearest Jane, in indulging thehopeofaneventwhichwillsecurethehappinessofsomany?”“Whatdoyouthinkof thissentence,mydearLizzy?”saidJaneasshefinishedit.

“Isitnotclearenough?DoesitnotexpresslydeclarethatCarolineneitherexpectsnorwishesmetobehersister;thatsheisperfectlyconvincedofherbrother’sindifference;andthatifshesuspectsthenatureofmyfeelingsforhim,shemeans(mostkindly!)toputmeonmyguard?Cantherebeanyotheropiniononthesubject?”“Yes,therecan;formineistotallydifferent.Willyouhearit?”“Mostwillingly.”“Youshallhaveitinafewwords.MissBingleyseesthatherbrotherisinlovewith

you,andwantshimtomarryMissDarcy.Shefollowshimtotowninhopeofkeepinghimthere,andtriestopersuadeyouthathedoesnotcareaboutyou.”Janeshookherhead.“Indeed,Jane,yououghttobelieveme.Noonewhohaseverseenyoutogethercan

doubt his affection. Miss Bingley, I am sure, cannot. She is not such a simpleton.CouldshehaveseenhalfasmuchloveinMr.Darcyforherself,shewouldhaveor-dered her wedding clothes. But the case is this: We are not rich enough or grandenoughforthem;andsheisthemoreanxioustogetMissDarcyforherbrother,fromthenotion thatwhen therehasbeenone intermarriage, shemayhave less trouble inachievingasecond;inwhichthereiscertainlysomeingenuity,andIdaresayitwouldsucceed,ifMissdeBourghwereoutoftheway.But,mydearestJane,youcannotseri-ously imagine that becauseMissBingley tells you her brother greatly admiresMissDarcy,heisinthesmallestdegreelesssensibleofyourmeritthanwhenhetookleave

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ofyouonTuesday,orthatitwillbeinherpowertopersuadehimthat,insteadofbeinginlovewithyou,heisverymuchinlovewithherfriend.”“IfwethoughtalikeofMissBingley,”repliedJane,“yourrepresentationofallthis

mightmakemequiteeasy.ButIknowthefoundationisunjust.Carolineisincapableofwilfullydeceivinganyone;andallthatIcanhopeinthiscaseisthatsheisdeceivingherself.”“Thatisright.Youcouldnothavestartedamorehappyidea,sinceyouwillnottake

comfortinmine.Believehertobedeceived,byallmeans.Youhavenowdoneyourdutybyher,andmustfretnolonger.”“But,mydear sister,can Ibehappy,evensupposing thebest, inacceptingaman

whosesistersandfriendsareallwishinghimtomarryelsewhere?”“Youmustdecide foryourself,”saidElizabeth;“and if,uponmaturedeliberation,

you find that themiseryofdisobliginghis twosisters ismore thanequivalent to thehappinessofbeinghiswife,Iadviseyoubyallmeanstorefusehim.”“Howcanyou talkso?”saidJane, faintly smiling.“Youmustknow that though I

shouldbeexceedinglygrievedattheirdisapprobation,Icouldnothesitate.”“Ididnotthinkyouwould;andthatbeingthecase,Icannotconsideryoursituation

withmuchcompassion.”“Butifhereturnsnomorethiswinter,mychoicewillneverberequired.Athousand

thingsmayariseinsixmonths!”TheideaofhisreturningnomoreElizabethtreatedwiththeutmostcontempt.Itap-

pearedtohermerelythesuggestionofCaroline’sinterestedwishes,andshecouldnotforamomentsupposethatthosewishes,howeveropenlyorartfullyspoken,couldin-fluenceayoungmansototallyindependentofeveryone.Sherepresentedtohersisterasforciblyaspossiblewhatshefeltonthesubject,and

had soon thepleasureof seeing its happy effect. Jane’s temperwasnot desponding,andshewasgraduallyledtohope,thoughthediffidenceofaffectionsometimesover-camethehope,thatBingleywouldreturntoNetherfieldandanswereverywishofherheart.TheyagreedthatMrs.Bennetshouldonlyhearofthedepartureofthefamily,with-

outbeingalarmedonthescoreofthegentleman’sconduct;buteventhispartialcom-municationgaveheragreatdealofconcern,andshebewailed it asexceedinglyun-luckythattheladiesshouldhappentogoawayjustastheywereallgettingsointimatetogether.Afterlamentingit,however,atsomelength,shehadtheconsolationthatMr.BingleywouldbesoondownagainandsoondiningatLongbourn,andtheconclusionofallwasthecomfortabledeclaration,thatthoughhehadbeeninvitedonlytoafamilydinner,shewouldtakecaretohavetwofullcourses.

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Chapter22

TheBennetswereengaged todinewith theLucasesandagainduring thechiefofthedaywasMissLucassokindastolistentoMr.Collins.Elizabethtookanopportu-nityofthankingher.“Itkeepshimingoodhumour,”saidshe,“andIammoreobligedtoyouthanIcanexpress.”Charlotteassuredherfriendofhersatisfactioninbeinguse-ful,andthatitamplyrepaidherforthelittlesacrificeofhertime.Thiswasveryami-able,butCharlotte’skindnessextendedfartherthanElizabethhadanyconceptionof;its object was nothing else than to secure her from any return ofMr. Collins’s ad-dresses, by engaging them towardsherself.SuchwasMissLucas’s scheme; and ap-pearancesweresofavourable,thatwhentheypartedatnight,shewouldhavefeltal-mostsecureofsuccessifhehadnotbeentoleaveHertfordshiresoverysoon.Buthereshedidinjusticetothefireandindependenceofhischaracter,foritledhimtoescapeoutofLongbournHousethenextmorningwithadmirableslyness,andhastentoLucasLodgetothrowhimselfatherfeet.Hewasanxioustoavoidthenoticeofhiscousins,fromaconvictionthatiftheysawhimdepart,theycouldnotfailtoconjecturehisde-sign,andhewasnotwillingtohavetheattemptknowntillitssuccessmightbeknownlikewise;forthoughfeelingalmostsecure,andwithreason,forCharlottehadbeentol-erablyencouraging,hewascomparativelydiffidentsincetheadventureofWednesday.His reception, however, was of themost flattering kind.Miss Lucas perceived himfromanupperwindowashewalkedtowardsthehouse,andinstantlysetouttomeethimaccidentallyinthelane.Butlittlehadshedaredtohopethatsomuchloveandelo-quenceawaitedherthere.InasshortatimeasMr.Collins’slongspeecheswouldallow,everythingwasset-

tled between them to the satisfaction of both; and as they entered the house heearnestlyentreatedhertonamethedaythatwastomakehimthehappiestofmen;andthoughsuchasolicitationmustbewaivedforthepresent,theladyfeltnoinclinationtotriflewith his happiness. The stupiditywithwhich hewas favoured by naturemustguardhiscourtshipfromanycharmthatcouldmakeawomanwishforitscontinuance;andMissLucas,whoacceptedhimsolelyfromthepureanddisinteresteddesireofanestablishment,carednothowsoonthatestablishmentweregained.SirWilliamandLadyLucaswerespeedilyappliedtofor theirconsent;anditwas

bestowedwith amost joyful alacrity.Mr.Collins’s present circumstancesmade it a

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mosteligiblematchfortheirdaughter,towhomtheycouldgivelittlefortune;andhisprospectsoffuturewealthwereexceedinglyfair.LadyLucasbegandirectlytocalcu-late,withmoreinterestthanthematterhadeverexcitedbefore,howmanyyearslongerMr. Bennetwas likely to live; and SirWilliam gave it as his decided opinion, thatwheneverMr.Collins should be in possession of theLongbourn estate, itwould behighlyexpedientthatbothheandhiswifeshouldmaketheirappearanceatSt.James’s.The whole family, in short, were properly overjoyed on the occasion. The youngergirlsformedhopesofcomingoutayearortwosoonerthantheymightotherwisehavedone;andtheboyswererelievedfromtheirapprehensionofCharlotte’sdyinganoldmaid. Charlotte herselfwas tolerably composed. She had gained her point, and hadtimetoconsiderof it.Herreflectionswere ingeneralsatisfactory.Mr.Collins, tobesure,wasneithersensiblenoragreeable;hissocietywasirksome,andhisattachmenttohermustbeimaginary.Butstillhewouldbeherhusband.Withoutthinkinghighlyei-therofmenormatrimony,marriagehadalwaysbeenherobject;itwastheonlyprovi-sionforwell-educatedyoungwomenofsmallfortune,andhoweveruncertainofgiv-inghappiness,mustbetheirpleasantestpreservativefromwant.Thispreservativeshehad now obtained; and at the age of twenty-seven,without having ever been hand-some,shefeltallthegoodluckofit.TheleastagreeablecircumstanceinthebusinesswasthesurpriseitmustoccasiontoElizabethBennet,whosefriendshipshevaluedbe-yond that of any other person. Elizabethwouldwonder, and probablywould blameher;andthoughherresolutionwasnottobeshaken,herfeelingsmustbehurtbysucha disapprobation. She resolved to give her the information herself, and thereforechargedMr.Collins,whenhereturnedtoLongbourntodinner,todropnohintofwhathadpassedbeforeanyofthefamily.Apromiseofsecrecywasofcourseverydutifullygiven,butitcouldnotbekeptwithoutdifficulty;forthecuriosityexcitedbyhislongabsenceburstforthinsuchverydirectquestionsonhisreturnasrequiredsomeingenu-itytoevade,andhewasatthesametimeexercisinggreatself-denial,forhewaslong-ingtopublishhisprosperouslove.Ashewastobeginhisjourneytooearlyonthemorrowtoseeanyofthefamily,the

ceremony of leave-taking was performedwhen the ladiesmoved for the night; andMrs.Bennet,withgreatpolitenessandcordiality,saidhowhappytheyshouldbetoseehimatLongbournagain,wheneverhisengagementsmightallowhimtovisitthem.“Mydearmadam,”hereplied,“thisinvitationisparticularlygratifying,becauseitis

whatIhavebeenhopingtoreceive;andyoumaybeverycertainthatIshallavailmy-selfofitassoonaspossible.”They were all astonished; andMr. Bennet, who could by no means wish for so

speedyareturn,immediatelysaid:“ButistherenotdangerofLadyCatherine’sdisapprobationhere,mygoodsir?You

hadbetterneglectyourrelationsthanruntheriskofoffendingyourpatroness.”

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“Mydearsir,”repliedMr.Collins,“Iamparticularlyobligedtoyouforthisfriendlycaution,andyoumaydependuponmynottakingsomaterialastepwithoutherlady-ship’sconcurrence.”“Youcannotbe toomuchuponyourguard.Riskanythingrather thanherdisplea-

sure;andifyoufinditlikelytoberaisedbyyourcomingtousagain,whichIshouldthinkexceedinglyprobable,stayquietlyathome,andbesatisfiedthatweshalltakenooffence.”“Believeme,mydearsir,mygratitudeiswarmlyexcitedbysuchaffectionateatten-

tion;anddependuponit,youwillspeedilyreceivefrommealetterofthanksforthis,and foreveryothermarkofyour regardduringmystay inHertfordshire.As formyfaircousins,thoughmyabsencemaynotbelongenoughtorenderitnecessary,Ishallnow take the libertyofwishing themhealthandhappiness,notexceptingmycousinElizabeth.”Withpropercivilitiestheladiesthenwithdrew;allofthemequallysurprisedthathe

meditatedaquick return.Mrs.Bennetwished tounderstandby it thathe thoughtofpayinghisaddressestooneofheryoungergirls,andMarymighthavebeenprevailedontoaccepthim.Sheratedhisabilitiesmuchhigherthananyoftheothers;therewasasolidityinhisreflectionswhichoftenstruckher,andthoughbynomeanssocleverasherself,shethoughtthatifencouragedtoreadandimprovehimselfbysuchanexam-pleashers,hemightbecomeaveryagreeablecompanion.Butonthefollowingmorn-ing,everyhopeof thiskindwasdoneaway.MissLucascalledsoonafterbreakfast,andinaprivateconferencewithElizabethrelatedtheeventofthedaybefore.ThepossibilityofMr.Collins’s fancyinghimself in lovewithher friendhadonce

occurred toElizabethwithin the last dayor two; but thatCharlotte could encouragehimseemedalmostasfarfrompossibilityasshecouldencouragehimherself,andherastonishmentwasconsequentlysogreatastoovercomeatfirsttheboundsofdecorum,andshecouldnothelpcryingout:“EngagedtoMr.Collins!MydearCharlotte—impossible!”ThesteadycountenancewhichMissLucashadcommandedintellingherstory,gave

waytoamomentaryconfusionhereonreceivingsodirectareproach;though,asitwasnomorethansheexpected,shesoonregainedhercomposure,andcalmlyreplied:“Whyshouldyoubesurprised,mydearEliza?Doyouthinkit incrediblethatMr.

Collinsshouldbeabletoprocureanywoman’sgoodopinion,becausehewasnotsohappyastosucceedwithyou?”But Elizabeth had now recollected herself, andmaking a strong effort for it,was

abletoassurewithtolerablefirmnessthattheprospectoftheirrelationshipwashighlygratefultoher,andthatshewishedherallimaginablehappiness.“Iseewhatyouarefeeling,”repliedCharlotte.“Youmustbesurprised,verymuch

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surprised—solatelyasMr.Collinswaswishingtomarryyou.Butwhenyouhavehadtimetothinkitover,IhopeyouwillbesatisfiedwithwhatIhavedone.Iamnotro-mantic,youknow;Ineverwas. Iaskonlyacomfortablehome;andconsideringMr.Collins’scharacter,connection,andsituationinlife,Iamconvincedthatmychanceofhappinesswithhimisasfairasmostpeoplecanboastonenteringthemarriagestate.”Elizabeth quietly answered “Undoubtedly;” and after an awkward pause, they re-

turnedtotherestofthefamily.Charlottedidnotstaymuchlonger,andElizabethwasthenlefttoreflectonwhatshehadheard.Itwasalongtimebeforeshebecameatallreconciledtotheideaofsounsuitableamatch.ThestrangenessofMr.Collins’smak-ing twooffersofmarriagewithin threedayswasnothing incomparisonofhisbeingnowaccepted.ShehadalwaysfeltthatCharlotte’sopinionofmatrimonywasnotex-actlylikeherown,butshehadnotsupposedittobepossiblethat,whencalledintoac-tion,shewouldhavesacrificedeverybetterfeelingtoworldlyadvantage.CharlottethewifeofMr.Collinswasamosthumiliatingpicture!Andto thepangofafrienddis-gracingherselfandsunkinheresteem,wasaddedthedistressingconvictionthatitwasimpossibleforthatfriendtobetolerablyhappyinthelotshehadchosen.

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Chapter23

Elizabethwassittingwithhermotherandsisters,reflectingonwhatshehadheard,anddoubtingwhethershewasauthorisedtomentionit,whenSirWilliamLucashim-selfappeared, sentbyhisdaughter, toannounceherengagement to the family.Withmanycomplimentstothem,andmuchself-gratulationontheprospectofaconnectionbetweenthehouses,heunfoldedthematter—toanaudiencenotmerelywondering,butincredulous; forMrs. Bennet, with more perseverance than politeness, protested hemust be entirelymistaken; and Lydia, always unguarded and often uncivil, boister-ouslyexclaimed:“GoodLord!SirWilliam,howcanyoutellsuchastory?DonotyouknowthatMr.

CollinswantstomarryLizzy?”Nothing less than the complaisance of a courtier could have bornewithout anger

suchtreatment;butSirWilliam’sgoodbreedingcarriedhimthroughitall;andthoughhebeggedleavetobepositiveastothetruthofhisinformation,helistenedtoalltheirimpertinencewiththemostforbearingcourtesy.Elizabeth,feelingitincumbentonhertorelievehimfromsounpleasantasituation,

nowputherselfforwardtoconfirmhisaccount,bymentioningherpriorknowledgeofit fromCharlotte herself; and endeavoured to put a stop to the exclamations of hermotherandsistersbytheearnestnessofhercongratulations toSirWilliam, inwhichshewasreadilyjoinedbyJane,andbymakingavarietyofremarksonthehappinessthatmightbeexpectedfromthematch,theexcellentcharacterofMr.Collins,andtheconvenientdistanceofHunsfordfromLondon.Mrs.BennetwasinfacttoomuchoverpoweredtosayagreatdealwhileSirWilliam

remained;butnosoonerhadheleftthemthanherfeelingsfoundarapidvent.Inthefirst place, she persisted in disbelieving thewhole of thematter; secondly, shewasverysurethatMr.Collinshadbeentakenin;thirdly,shetrustedthattheywouldneverbehappytogether;andfourthly,thatthematchmightbebrokenoff.Twoinferences,however,wereplainlydeducedfromthewhole:one,thatElizabethwastherealcauseofthemischief;andtheotherthatsheherselfhadbeenbarbarouslymisusedbythemall;andonthesetwopointssheprincipallydweltduringtherestof theday.Nothingcould console andnothing could appease her.Nor did that daywear out her resent-

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ment.Aweekelapsedbefore shecould seeElizabethwithout scoldingher, amonthpassedawaybeforeshecouldspeaktoSirWilliamorLadyLucaswithoutbeingrude,andmanymonthsweregonebeforeshecouldatallforgivetheirdaughter.Mr.Bennet’semotionsweremuchmoretranquilontheoccasion,andsuchashedid

experiencehepronouncedtobeofamostagreeablesort;foritgratifiedhim,hesaid,todiscover thatCharlotteLucas,whomhehadbeenused to think tolerablysensible,wasasfoolishashiswife,andmorefoolishthanhisdaughter!Janeconfessedherselfalittlesurprisedatthematch;butshesaidlessofheraston-

ishmentthanofherearnestdesirefortheirhappiness;norcouldElizabethpersuadehertoconsider itas improbable.KittyandLydiawerefar fromenvyingMissLucas, forMr.Collinswasonlyaclergyman;anditaffectedtheminnootherwaythanasapieceofnewstospreadatMeryton.LadyLucascouldnotbeinsensibleoftriumphonbeingabletoretortonMrs.Ben-

netthecomfortofhavingadaughterwellmarried;andshecalledatLongbournratheroftenerthanusualtosayhowhappyshewas,thoughMrs.Bennet’ssourlooksandill-naturedremarksmighthavebeenenoughtodrivehappinessaway.Between Elizabeth and Charlotte there was a restraint which kept themmutually

silenton thesubject;andElizabethfeltpersuaded thatnorealconfidencecouldeversubsist between them again. Her disappointment in Charlotte made her turn withfonderregard tohersister,ofwhoserectitudeanddelicacyshewassureheropinioncouldneverbeshaken,andforwhosehappinessshegrewdailymoreanxious,asBing-leyhadnowbeengoneaweekandnothingmorewasheardofhisreturn.JanehadsentCarolineanearlyanswertoherletter,andwascountingthedaystill

she might reasonably hope to hear again. The promised letter of thanks from Mr.CollinsarrivedonTuesday,addressedtotheirfather,andwrittenwithallthesolemnityofgratitudewhicha twelvemonth’sabode in the familymighthaveprompted.Afterdischarginghisconscienceonthathead,heproceededtoinformthem,withmanyrap-turousexpressions,ofhishappiness inhavingobtainedtheaffectionof theiramiableneighbour,MissLucas,andthenexplainedthatitwasmerelywiththeviewofenjoy-inghersocietythathehadbeensoreadytoclosewiththeirkindwishofseeinghimagainatLongbourn,whitherhehoped tobeable to returnonMonday fortnight; forLadyCatherine,headded,soheartilyapprovedhismarriage,thatshewishedittotakeplaceassoonaspossible,whichhetrustedwouldbeanunanswerableargumentwithhisamiableCharlottetonameanearlydayformakinghimthehappiestofmen.Mr.Collins’s return intoHertfordshirewasno longeramatterofpleasure toMrs.

Bennet.Onthecontrary,shewasasmuchdisposedtocomplainofitasherhusband.ItwasverystrangethatheshouldcometoLongbourninsteadoftoLucasLodge;itwasalsoveryinconvenientandexceedinglytroublesome.Shehatedhavingvisitorsinthe

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housewhileherhealthwassoindifferent,andloverswereofallpeoplethemostdis-agreeable.SuchwerethegentlemurmursofMrs.Bennet,andtheygavewayonlytothegreaterdistressofMr.Bingley’scontinuedabsence.NeitherJanenorElizabethwerecomfortableon thissubject.Dayafterdaypassed

awaywithoutbringinganyothertidingsofhimthanthereportwhichshortlyprevailedinMeryton of his coming nomore toNetherfield thewholewinter; a reportwhichhighlyincensedMrs.Bennet,andwhichsheneverfailedtocontradictasamostscan-dalousfalsehood.EvenElizabethbegantofear—notthatBingleywasindifferent—butthathissisters

wouldbesuccessful inkeepinghimaway.Unwillingasshewas toadmitan ideasodestructiveofJane’shappiness,andsodishonorable to thestabilityofher lover, shecouldnotpreventitsfrequentlyoccurring.Theunitedeffortsofhistwounfeelingsis-tersandofhisoverpoweringfriend,assistedbytheattractionsofMissDarcyandtheamusementsofLondonmightbetoomuch,shefeared,forthestrengthofhisattach-ment.AsforJane,heranxietyunderthissuspensewas,ofcourse,morepainfulthanEliza-

beth’s,butwhatevershefeltshewasdesirousofconcealing,andbetweenherselfandElizabeth, therefore, the subject was never alluded to. But as no such delicacy re-strainedhermother,anhourseldompassedinwhichshedidnottalkofBingley,ex-pressherimpatienceforhisarrival,orevenrequireJanetoconfessthatifhedidnotcomebackshewouldthinkherselfveryillused.ItneededallJane’ssteadymildnesstobeartheseattackswithtolerabletranquillity.Mr. Collins returned most punctually on Monday fortnight, but his reception at

Longbournwasnotquitesograciousas ithadbeenonhisfirst introduction.Hewastoohappy,however,toneedmuchattention;andluckilyfortheothers,thebusinessoflove-makingrelievedthemfromagreatdealofhiscompany.Thechiefofeverydaywas spentbyhimatLucasLodge, andhe sometimes returned toLongbournonly intimetomakeanapologyforhisabsencebeforethefamilywenttobed.Mrs.Bennetwasreallyinamostpitiablestate.Theverymentionofanythingcon-

cerningthematchthrewherintoanagonyofill-humour,andwherevershewentshewassureofhearingittalkedof.ThesightofMissLucaswasodioustoher.Ashersuc-cessor in that house, she regarded herwith jealous abhorrence.Whenever Charlottecame to see them, she concluded her to be anticipating the hour of possession; andwhenevershespokeinalowvoicetoMr.Collins,wasconvincedthattheyweretalk-ingoftheLongbournestate,andresolvingtoturnherselfandherdaughtersoutofthehouse,assoonasMr.Bennetweredead.Shecomplainedbitterlyofallthistoherhus-band.“Indeed,Mr.Bennet,”saidshe,“itisveryhardtothinkthatCharlotteLucasshould

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everbemistressofthishouse,thatIshouldbeforcedtomakewayforher,andlivetoseehertakeherplaceinit!”“Mydear,donotgivewaytosuchgloomythoughts.Letushopeforbetterthings.

LetusflatterourselvesthatImaybethesurvivor.”Thiswasnotveryconsoling toMrs.Bennet,and therefore, insteadofmakingany

answer,shewentonasbefore.“Icannotbeartothinkthattheyshouldhaveallthisestate.Ifitwasnotfortheen-

tail,Ishouldnotmindit.”“Whatshouldnotyoumind?”“Ishouldnotmindanythingatall.”“Letusbethankfulthatyouarepreservedfromastateofsuchinsensibility.”“I never can be thankful,Mr.Bennet, for anything about the entail.How anyone

couldhavetheconsciencetoentailawayanestatefromone’sowndaughters,Icannotunderstand;andallforthesakeofMr.Collinstoo!Whyshouldhehaveitmorethananybodyelse?”“Ileaveittoyourselftodetermine,”saidMr.Bennet.

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Chapter24

MissBingley’sletterarrived,andputanendtodoubt.Theveryfirstsentencecon-veyedtheassuranceoftheirbeingallsettledinLondonforthewinter,andconcludedwithherbrother’s regret at not havinghad time topayhis respects tohis friends inHertfordshirebeforeheleftthecountry.Hopewasover,entirelyover;andwhenJanecouldattend to the restof the letter,

she found little, except theprofessedaffectionof thewriter, that couldgiveher anycomfort.MissDarcy’spraiseoccupiedthechiefofit.Hermanyattractionswereagaindwelton,andCarolineboasted joyfullyof their increasing intimacy,andventured topredicttheaccomplishmentofthewisheswhichhadbeenunfoldedinherformerletter.Shewrote alsowith great pleasure of her brother’s being an inmate ofMr.Darcy’shouse,andmentionedwithrapturessomeplansofthelatterwithregardtonewfurni-ture.Elizabeth, towhomJanevery sooncommunicated thechiefofall this,heard it in

silent indignation.Her heartwasdividedbetween concern for her sister, and resent-mentagainstallothers.ToCaroline’sassertionofherbrother’sbeingpartial toMissDarcyshepaidnocredit.ThathewasreallyfondofJane,shedoubtednomorethanshehadeverdone;andmuchasshehadalwaysbeendisposedtolikehim,shecouldnotthinkwithoutanger,hardlywithoutcontempt,onthateasinessoftemper,thatwantofproperresolution,whichnowmadehimtheslaveofhisdesigningfriends,andledhimtosacrificeofhisownhappinesstothecapriceoftheirinclination.Hadhisownhappiness,however,beentheonlysacrifice,hemighthavebeenallowedtosportwithit in whatever manner he thought best, but her sister’s was involved in it, as shethought hemust be sensible himself. It was a subject, in short, onwhich reflectionwouldbelongindulged,andmustbeunavailing.Shecouldthinkofnothingelse;andyetwhetherBingley’sregardhadreallydiedaway,orweresuppressedbyhisfriends’interference;whether hehadbeen awareof Jane’s attachment, orwhether it had es-capedhisobservation;whateverwerethecase,thoughheropinionofhimmustbema-teriallyaffectedbythedifference,hersister’ssituationremainedthesame,herpeaceequallywounded.AdayortwopassedbeforeJanehadcouragetospeakofherfeelingstoElizabeth;

butatlast,onMrs.Bennet’sleavingthemtogether,afteralongerirritationthanusual

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aboutNetherfieldanditsmaster,shecouldnothelpsaying:“Oh,thatmydearmotherhadmorecommandoverherself!Shecanhavenoideaof

thepainshegivesmebyhercontinualreflectionsonhim.ButIwillnotrepine.Itcan-notlastlong.Hewillbeforgot,andweshallallbeaswewerebefore.”Elizabethlookedathersisterwithincreduloussolicitude,butsaidnothing.“You doubtme,” cried Jane, slightly colouring; “indeed, you have no reason.He

mayliveinmymemoryasthemostamiablemanofmyacquaintance,butthatisall.Ihavenothingeither tohopeorfear,andnothingtoreproachhimwith.ThankGod!Ihavenotthatpain.Alittletime,therefore—Ishallcertainlytrytogetthebetter.”Withastrongervoiceshesoonadded,“Ihavethiscomfortimmediately,thatithas

notbeenmorethananerroroffancyonmyside,andthatithasdonenoharmtoany-onebutmyself.”“MydearJane!”exclaimedElizabeth,“youaretoogood.Yoursweetnessanddisin-

terestednessarereallyangelic;Idonotknowwhattosaytoyou.IfeelasifIhadneverdoneyoujustice,orlovedyouasyoudeserve.”MissBenneteagerlydisclaimedall extraordinarymerit, and threwback thepraise

onhersister’swarmaffection.“Nay,”saidElizabeth,“thisisnotfair.Youwishtothinkalltheworldrespectable,

and arehurt if I speak ill of anybody. I onlywant to thinkyou perfect, andyou setyourselfagainstit.Donotbeafraidofmyrunningintoanyexcess,ofmyencroachingonyourprivilegeofuniversalgood-will.Youneednot.TherearefewpeoplewhomIreallylove,andstillfewerofwhomIthinkwell.ThemoreIseeoftheworld,themoreamIdissatisfiedwithit;andeverydayconfirmsmybeliefoftheinconsistencyofallhumancharacters,andofthelittledependencethatcanbeplacedontheappearanceofmeritorsense.Ihavemetwithtwoinstanceslately,oneIwillnotmention;theotherisCharlotte’smarriage.Itisunaccountable!Ineveryviewitisunaccountable!”“MydearLizzy,donotgivewaytosuchfeelingsasthese.Theywillruinyourhap-

piness. You do not make allowance enough for difference of situation and temper.ConsiderMr.Collins’s respectability, andCharlotte’s steady, prudent character. Re-memberthatsheisoneofalargefamily;thatastofortune,itisamosteligiblematch;andbereadytobelieve,foreverybody’ssake,thatshemayfeelsomethinglikeregardandesteemforourcousin.”“Tooblige you, Iwould try to believe almost anything, but no one else could be

benefitedbysuchabeliefasthis;forwereIpersuadedthatCharlottehadanyregardforhim,IshouldonlythinkworseofherunderstandingthanInowdoofherheart.MydearJane,Mr.Collinsisaconceited,pompous,narrow-minded,sillyman;youknowheis,aswellasIdo;andyoumustfeel,aswellasIdo,thatthewomanwhomarriedhimcannothaveaproperwayofthinking.Youshallnotdefendher,thoughitisChar-

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lotteLucas.Youshallnot,forthesakeofoneindividual,changethemeaningofprin-cipleandintegrity,norendeavourtopersuadeyourselforme,thatselfishnessispru-dence,andinsensibilityofdangersecurityforhappiness.”“Imust thinkyour language too strong in speaking of both,” replied Jane; “and I

hopeyouwillbeconvincedof itbyseeingthemhappytogether.Butenoughof this.Youalludedtosomethingelse.Youmentionedtwoinstances.Icannotmisunderstandyou,butIentreatyou,dearLizzy,nottopainmebythinkingthatpersontoblame,andsayingyouropinionofhimissunk.Wemustnotbesoreadytofancyourselvesinten-tionallyinjured.Wemustnotexpectalivelyyoungmantobealwayssoguardedandcircumspect. It is very often nothing but our own vanity that deceives us. Womenfancyadmirationmeansmorethanitdoes.”“Andmentakecarethattheyshould.”“Ifitisdesignedlydone,theycannotbejustified;butIhavenoideaoftherebeing

somuchdesignintheworldassomepersonsimagine.”“IamfarfromattributinganypartofMr.Bingley’sconducttodesign,”saidEliza-

beth; “butwithout scheming todowrong,or tomakeothersunhappy, theremaybeerror, and theremaybemisery.Thoughtlessness,wantofattention tootherpeople’sfeelings,andwantofresolution,willdothebusiness.”“Anddoyouimputeittoeitherofthose?”“Yes;tothelast.ButifIgoon,IshalldispleaseyoubysayingwhatIthinkofper-

sonsyouesteem.Stopmewhilstyoucan.”“Youpersist,then,insupposinghissistersinfluencehim?”“Yes,inconjunctionwithhisfriend.”“Icannotbelieveit.Whyshouldtheytrytoinfluencehim?Theycanonlywishhis

happiness;andifheisattachedtome,nootherwomancansecureit.”“Yourfirstpositionisfalse.Theymaywishmanythingsbesideshishappiness;they

maywishhisincreaseofwealthandconsequence;theymaywishhimtomarryagirlwhohasalltheimportanceofmoney,greatconnections,andpride.”“Beyondadoubt,theydowishhimtochooseMissDarcy,”repliedJane;“butthis

may be from better feelings than you are supposing. They have known her muchlongerthantheyhaveknownme;nowonderiftheyloveherbetter.But,whatevermaybetheirownwishes,itisveryunlikelytheyshouldhaveopposedtheirbrother’s.Whatsisterwouldthinkherselfat liberty todoit,unless thereweresomethingveryobjec-tionable?Iftheybelievedhimattachedtome,theywouldnottrytopartus;ifhewereso,theycouldnotsucceed.Bysupposingsuchanaffection,youmakeeverybodyact-ingunnaturallyandwrong,andmemostunhappy.Donotdistressmebytheidea.Iamnotashamedofhavingbeenmistaken—or,atleast,itislight,itisnothingincompari-

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sonofwhatIshouldfeelinthinkingillofhimorhissisters.Letmetakeitinthebestlight,inthelightinwhichitmaybeunderstood.”Elizabethcouldnotopposesuchawish;andfromthistimeMr.Bingley’snamewas

scarcelyevermentionedbetweenthem.Mrs. Bennet still continued to wonder and repine at his returning no more, and

thoughadayseldompassedinwhichElizabethdidnotaccountforitclearly,therewaslittlechanceofhereverconsideringitwithlessperplexity.Herdaughterendeavouredtoconvinceherofwhatshedidnotbelieveherself,thathisattentionstoJanehadbeenmerelytheeffectofacommonandtransientliking,whichceasedwhenhesawhernomore;butthoughtheprobabilityofthestatementwasadmittedatthetime,shehadthesamestorytorepeateveryday.Mrs.Bennet’sbestcomfortwasthatMr.Bingleymustbedownagaininthesummer.Mr.Bennettreatedthematterdifferently.“So,Lizzy,”saidheoneday,“yoursister

iscrossedin love,I find.Icongratulateher.Next tobeingmarried,agirl likes tobecrossedalittleinlovenowandthen.Itissomethingtothinkof,anditgivesherasortof distinction among her companions.When is your turn to come?Youwill hardlybeartobelongoutdonebyJane.Nowisyourtime.HereareofficersenoughinMery-tontodisappointalltheyoungladiesinthecountry.LetWickhambeyourman.Heisapleasantfellow,andwouldjiltyoucreditably.”“Thankyou,sir,butalessagreeablemanwouldsatisfyme.Wemustnotallexpect

Jane’sgoodfortune.”“True,”saidMr.Bennet,“butitisacomforttothinkthatwhateverofthatkindmay

befallyou,youhaveanaffectionatemotherwhowillmakethemostofit.”Mr.Wickham’s societywasofmaterial service indispelling thegloomwhich the

lateperverseoccurrenceshadthrownonmanyoftheLongbournfamily.Theysawhimoften,andtohisotherrecommendationswasnowaddedthatofgeneralunreserve.ThewholeofwhatElizabethhadalreadyheard,hisclaimsonMr.Darcy,andall thathehad suffered fromhim,was nowopenly acknowledged and publicly canvassed; andeverybodywaspleasedtoknowhowmuchtheyhadalwaysdislikedMr.Darcybeforetheyhadknownanythingofthematter.MissBennetwastheonlycreaturewhocouldsupposetheremightbeanyextenuat-

ingcircumstances in thecase,unknownto thesocietyofHertfordshire;hermildandsteadycandouralwayspleadedforallowances,andurgedthepossibilityofmistakes—butbyeverybodyelseMr.Darcywascondemnedastheworstofmen.

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Chapter25

Afteraweekspentinprofessionsofloveandschemesoffelicity,Mr.Collinswascalled fromhisamiableCharlotteby thearrivalofSaturday.Thepainof separation,however,mightbealleviatedonhisside,bypreparationsforthereceptionofhisbride;ashehadreasontohope,thatshortlyafterhisreturnintoHertfordshire,thedaywouldbefixedthatwas tomakehimthehappiestofmen.HetookleaveofhisrelationsatLongbournwithasmuchsolemnityasbefore;wishedhisfaircousinshealthandhappi-nessagain,andpromisedtheirfatheranotherletterofthanks.On the followingMonday,Mrs.Bennet had the pleasure of receiving her brother

andhiswife,whocameasusual tospendtheChristmasatLongbourn.Mr.Gardinerwasasensible,gentlemanlikeman,greatlysuperiortohissister,aswellbynatureaseducation. TheNetherfield ladieswould have had difficulty in believing that amanwholivedbytrade,andwithinviewofhisownwarehouses,couldhavebeensowell-bredandagreeable.Mrs.Gardiner,whowasseveralyearsyounger thanMrs.BennetandMrs. Phillips,was an amiable, intelligent, elegantwoman, and a great favouritewith all her Longbourn nieces. Between the two eldest and herself especially, theresubsistedaparticularregard.Theyhadfrequentlybeenstayingwithherintown.The firstpartofMrs.Gardiner’sbusinessonherarrivalwas todistributeherpre-

sentsanddescribethenewestfashions.Whenthiswasdoneshehadalessactiveparttoplay.Itbecameher turn to listen.Mrs.Bennethadmanygrievances torelate,andmuchtocomplainof.Theyhadallbeenveryill-usedsinceshelastsawhersister.Twoofhergirlshadbeenuponthepointofmarriage,andafteralltherewasnothinginit.“IdonotblameJane,”shecontinued,“forJanewouldhavegotMr.Bingleyifshe

could. But Lizzy!Oh, sister! It is very hard to think that shemight have beenMr.Collins’swifebythistime,haditnotbeenforherownperverseness.Hemadeheranofferinthisveryroom,andsherefusedhim.Theconsequenceofitis,thatLadyLucaswill have a daughtermarriedbefore I have, and that theLongbourn estate is just asmuchentailedasever.TheLucasesareveryartfulpeopleindeed,sister.Theyareallforwhattheycanget.Iamsorrytosayitofthem,butsoitis.Itmakesmeveryner-vous and poorly, to be thwarted so inmy own family, and to have neighbourswhothinkofthemselvesbeforeanybodyelse.However,yourcomingjustatthistimeisthegreatestofcomforts,andIamverygladtohearwhatyoutellus,oflongsleeves.”

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Mrs.Gardiner,towhomthechiefofthisnewshadbeengivenbefore,inthecourseofJaneandElizabeth’scorrespondencewithher,madehersisteraslightanswer,and,incompassiontohernieces,turnedtheconversation.When alonewith Elizabeth afterwards, she spokemore on the subject. “It seems

likelytohavebeenadesirablematchforJane,”saidshe.“Iamsorryitwentoff.Butthesethingshappensooften!Ayoungman,suchasyoudescribeMr.Bingley,soeas-ilyfallsinlovewithaprettygirlforafewweeks,andwhenaccidentseparatesthem,soeasilyforgetsher,thatthesesortofinconsistenciesareveryfrequent.”“Anexcellentconsolationinitsway,”saidElizabeth,“butitwillnotdoforus.We

donotsufferbyaccident.Itdoesnotoftenhappenthattheinterferenceoffriendswillpersuadeayoungmanofindependentfortunetothinknomoreofagirlwhomhewasviolentlyinlovewithonlyafewdaysbefore.”“But thatexpressionof ‘violently in love’ is sohackneyed,sodoubtful, so indefi-

nite,thatitgivesmeverylittleidea.Itisasoftenappliedtofeelingswhicharisefromahalf-hour’s acquaintance, as to a real, strong attachment. Pray, howviolent wasMr.Bingley’slove?”“Ineversawamorepromisinginclination;hewasgrowingquiteinattentivetoother

people,andwhollyengrossedbyher.Everytimetheymet,itwasmoredecidedandre-markable.Athisownballheoffendedtwoorthreeyoungladies,bynotaskingthemtodance;andIspoketohimtwicemyself,withoutreceivingananswer.Couldtherebefinersymptoms?Isnotgeneralincivilitytheveryessenceoflove?”“Oh,yes!—ofthatkindoflovewhichIsupposehimtohavefelt.PoorJane!Iam

sorryforher,because,withherdisposition,shemaynotgetoveritimmediately.Ithadbetterhavehappenedtoyou,Lizzy;youwouldhavelaughedyourselfoutofitsooner.Butdoyou thinkshewouldbeprevailedupon togobackwithus?Changeofscenemightbeof service—andperhapsa little relief fromhomemaybeasusefulasany-thing.”Elizabethwasexceedinglypleasedwiththisproposal,andfeltpersuadedofhersis-

ter’sreadyacquiescence.“Ihope,”addedMrs.Gardiner,“thatnoconsiderationwithregardtothisyoungman

willinfluenceher.Weliveinsodifferentapartoftown,allourconnectionsaresodif-ferent,and,asyouwellknow,wegooutsolittle,thatitisveryimprobablethattheyshouldmeetatall,unlesshereallycomestoseeher.”“And that isquite impossible; forhe isnow in thecustodyofhis friend, andMr.

Darcywouldnomoresufferhim tocallonJane in suchapartofLondon!Mydearaunt,howcouldyouthinkofit?Mr.DarcymayperhapshaveheardofsuchaplaceasGracechurchStreet,buthewouldhardly thinkamonth’sablutionenough tocleansehim from its impurities, were he once to enter it; and depend upon it,Mr. Bingley

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neverstirswithouthim.”“Somuchthebetter.Ihopetheywillnotmeetatall.ButdoesnotJanecorrespond

withhissister?Shewillnotbeabletohelpcalling.”“Shewilldroptheacquaintanceentirely.”ButinspiteofthecertaintyinwhichElizabethaffectedtoplacethispoint,aswellas

thestillmoreinterestingoneofBingley’sbeingwithheldfromseeingJane,shefeltasolicitudeon thesubjectwhichconvincedher,onexamination, that shedidnotcon-sideritentirelyhopeless.Itwaspossible,andsometimesshethoughtitprobable,thathisaffectionmightbereanimated,and the influenceofhis friendssuccessfullycom-batedbythemorenaturalinfluenceofJane’sattractions.MissBennetacceptedheraunt’sinvitationwithpleasure;andtheBingleyswereno

otherwiseinherthoughtsatthesametime,thanasshehopedbyCaroline’snotlivinginthesamehousewithherbrother,shemightoccasionallyspendamorningwithher,withoutanydangerofseeinghim.TheGardiners stayedaweekatLongbourn; andwhatwith thePhillipses, theLu-

cases,andtheofficers,therewasnotadaywithoutitsengagement.Mrs.Bennethadsocarefullyprovidedfortheentertainmentofherbrotherandsister,thattheydidnotoncesitdowntoafamilydinner.Whentheengagementwasforhome,someoftheofficersalwaysmadepartof it—ofwhichofficersMr.Wickhamwassure tobeone;andontheseoccasions,Mrs.Gardiner,renderedsuspiciousbyElizabeth’swarmcommenda-tion,narrowlyobservedthemboth.Withoutsupposingthem,fromwhatshesaw,tobeveryseriouslyinlove,theirpreferenceofeachotherwasplainenoughtomakeheralittleuneasy;andsheresolvedtospeaktoElizabethonthesubjectbeforesheleftHert-fordshire,andrepresenttohertheimprudenceofencouragingsuchanattachment.ToMrs.Gardiner,Wickhamhadonemeansofaffordingpleasure,unconnectedwith

hisgeneralpowers.Abouttenoradozenyearsago,beforehermarriage,shehadspentaconsiderable time in thatverypartofDerbyshire towhichhebelonged.Theyhad,therefore,manyacquaintancesincommon;andthoughWickhamhadbeenlittletheresince thedeathofDarcy’s father, itwasyet inhis power togiveher fresher intelli-genceofherformerfriendsthanshehadbeeninthewayofprocuring.Mrs.GardinerhadseenPemberley,andknownthelateMr.Darcybycharacterper-

fectlywell.Hereconsequentlywasaninexhaustiblesubjectofdiscourse.IncomparingherrecollectionofPemberleywiththeminutedescriptionwhichWickhamcouldgive,andinbestowinghertributeofpraiseonthecharacterofitslatepossessor,shewasde-lightingbothhimandherself.OnbeingmadeacquaintedwiththepresentMr.Darcy’streatmentofhim,shetriedtoremembersomeofthatgentleman’sreputeddispositionwhenquitea ladwhichmightagreewith it,andwasconfidentat last thatsherecol-lectedhavingheardMr.FitzwilliamDarcyformerlyspokenofasaveryproud,ill-na-

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turedboy.

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Chapter26

Mrs.Gardiner’s caution toElizabethwaspunctually andkindlygivenon the firstfavourable opportunity of speaking to her alone; after honestly telling herwhat shethought,shethuswenton:“Youare toosensibleagirl,Lizzy, to fall in lovemerelybecauseyouarewarned

againstit;and,therefore,Iamnotafraidofspeakingopenly.Seriously,Iwouldhaveyoubeonyourguard.Donotinvolveyourselforendeavourtoinvolvehiminanaffec-tionwhichthewantoffortunewouldmakesoveryimprudent.Ihavenothingtosayagainsthim;heisamostinterestingyoungman;andifhehadthefortuneheoughttohave,Ishouldthinkyoucouldnotdobetter.Butasitis,youmustnotletyourfancyrunawaywithyou.Youhavesense,andweallexpectyoutouseit.Yourfatherwoulddependonyourresolutionandgoodconduct,Iamsure.Youmustnotdisappointyourfather.”“Mydearaunt,thisisbeingseriousindeed.”“Yes,andIhopetoengageyoutobeseriouslikewise.”“Well,then,youneednotbeunderanyalarm.Iwilltakecareofmyself,andofMr.

Wickhamtoo.Heshallnotbeinlovewithme,ifIcanpreventit.”“Elizabeth,youarenotseriousnow.”“Ibegyourpardon,Iwilltryagain.AtpresentIamnotinlovewithMr.Wickham;

no,Icertainlyamnot.Butheis,beyondallcomparison,themostagreeablemanIeversaw—and if he becomes really attached to me—I believe it will be better that heshouldnot. I see the imprudenceof it.Oh! that abominableMr.Darcy!My father’sopinionofmedoesmethegreatesthonour,andIshouldbemiserabletoforfeitit.Myfather,however, ispartial toMr.Wickham. Inshort,mydearaunt, I shouldbeverysorrytobethemeansofmakinganyofyouunhappy;butsinceweseeeverydaythatwherethereisaffection,youngpeopleareseldomwithheldbyimmediatewantoffor-tunefromenteringintoengagementswitheachother,howcanIpromise tobewiserthansomanyofmyfellow-creaturesifIamtempted,orhowamIeventoknowthatitwould bewisdom to resist?All that I can promise you, therefore, is not to be in ahurry.Iwillnotbeinahurrytobelievemyselfhisfirstobject.WhenIamincompanywithhim,Iwillnotbewishing.Inshort,Iwilldomybest.”

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“Perhapsitwillbeaswellifyoudiscouragehiscomingheresoveryoften.Atleast,youshouldnotremindyourmotherofinvitinghim.”“AsIdidtheotherday,”saidElizabethwithaconscioussmile:“verytrue,itwillbe

wiseinmetorefrainfromthat.Butdonotimaginethatheisalwaysheresooften.Itison your account that he has been so frequently invited this week. You know mymother’sideasastothenecessityofconstantcompanyforherfriends.Butreally,anduponmyhonour,IwilltrytodowhatIthinktobethewisest;andnowIhopeyouaresatisfied.”Herauntassuredherthatshewas,andElizabethhavingthankedherforthekindness

ofherhints,theyparted;awonderfulinstanceofadvicebeinggivenonsuchapoint,withoutbeingresented.Mr.Collins returned intoHertfordshire soon after it hadbeenquitted by theGar-

dinersandJane;butashetookuphisabodewiththeLucases,hisarrivalwasnogreatinconveniencetoMrs.Bennet.Hismarriagewasnowfastapproaching,andshewasatlengthsofarresignedastothinkitinevitable,andevenrepeatedlytosay,inanill-na-tured tone, thatshe“wished theymightbehappy.”Thursdaywas tobe theweddingday,andonWednesdayMissLucaspaidherfarewellvisit;andwhensherosetotakeleave,Elizabeth,ashamedofhermother’sungraciousandreluctantgoodwishes,andsincerelyaffectedherself,accompaniedheroutoftheroom.Astheywentdownstairstogether,Charlottesaid:“Ishalldependonhearingfromyouveryoften,Eliza.”“Thatyoucertainlyshall.”“AndIhaveanotherfavourtoaskyou.Willyoucomeandseeme?”“Weshalloftenmeet,Ihope,inHertfordshire.”“I am not likely to leaveKent for some time. Promiseme, therefore, to come to

Hunsford.”Elizabethcouldnotrefuse,thoughsheforesawlittlepleasureinthevisit.“My father andMaria are coming tome inMarch,” addedCharlotte, “and Ihope

youwillconsenttobeoftheparty.Indeed,Eliza,youwillbeaswelcomeaseitherofthem.”Theweddingtookplace;thebrideandbridegroomsetoffforKentfromthechurch

door,andeverybodyhadasmuchtosay,ortohear,onthesubjectasusual.Elizabethsoonheardfromherfriend;andtheircorrespondencewasasregularandfrequentasithad ever been; that it shouldbe equally unreservedwas impossible.Elizabeth couldneveraddressherwithoutfeelingthatallthecomfortofintimacywasover,andthoughdeterminednot to slacken as a correspondent, itwas for the sakeofwhat hadbeen,ratherthanwhatwas.Charlotte’sfirstletterswerereceivedwithagooddealofeager-

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ness;therecouldnotbutbecuriositytoknowhowshewouldspeakofhernewhome,howshewouldlikeLadyCatherine,andhowhappyshewoulddarepronounceherselftobe;though,whentheletterswereread,ElizabethfeltthatCharlotteexpressedherselfoneverypointexactlyasshemighthaveforeseen.Shewrotecheerfully,seemedsur-roundedwithcomforts,andmentionednothingwhichshecouldnotpraise.Thehouse,furniture,neighbourhood,androads,werealltohertaste,andLadyCatherine’sbehav-iourwasmostfriendlyandobliging.ItwasMr.Collins’spictureofHunsfordandRos-ingsrationallysoftened;andElizabethperceivedthatshemustwaitforherownvisittheretoknowtherest.Janehadalreadywritten a few lines toher sister to announce their safe arrival in

London;andwhenshewroteagain,ElizabethhopeditwouldbeinherpowertosaysomethingoftheBingleys.Herimpatienceforthissecondletterwasaswellrewardedasimpatiencegenerally

is.JanehadbeenaweekintownwithouteitherseeingorhearingfromCaroline.Sheaccounted for it, however,by supposing thather last letter toher friend fromLong-bournhadbysomeaccidentbeenlost.“Myaunt,”shecontinued,“isgoingto-morrowintothatpartofthetown,andIshall

taketheopportunityofcallinginGrosvenorStreet.”Shewroteagainwhenthevisitwaspaid,andshehadseenMissBingley.“Ididnot

thinkCarolineinspirits,”wereherwords,“butshewasverygladtoseeme,andre-proachedmeforgivinghernonoticeofmycomingtoLondon.Iwasright,therefore,mylast letterhadneverreachedher.I inquiredafter theirbrother,ofcourse.Hewaswell,but somuchengagedwithMr.Darcy that theyscarcelyever sawhim. I foundthatMissDarcywasexpectedtodinner.IwishIcouldseeher.Myvisitwasnotlong,asCarolineandMrs.Hurstweregoingout.IdaresayIshallseethemsoonhere.”Elizabethshookherheadoverthisletter.Itconvincedherthataccidentonlycould

discovertoMr.Bingleyhersister’sbeingintown.Fourweeks passed away, and Jane saw nothing of him. She endeavoured to per-

suadeherselfthatshedidnotregretit;butshecouldnolongerbeblindtoMissBing-ley’s inattention.Afterwaitingathomeeverymorning fora fortnight, and inventingeveryeveningafreshexcuseforher,thevisitordidatlastappear;buttheshortnessofherstay,andyetmore,thealterationofhermannerwouldallowJanetodeceiveher-selfnolonger.Theletterwhichshewroteonthisoccasiontohersisterwillprovewhatshefelt.

“MydearestLizzywill, I am sure, be incapable of triumphing in her betterjudgement, atmyexpense,when I confessmyself tohavebeen entirelyde-ceivedinMissBingley’sregardforme.But,mydearsister,thoughtheeventhasprovedyouright,donotthinkmeobstinateifIstillassertthat,consider-

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ingwhatherbehaviourwas,myconfidencewasasnaturalasyoursuspicion.Idonotatallcomprehendherreasonforwishingtobeintimatewithme;butifthesamecircumstancesweretohappenagain,IamsureIshouldbedeceivedagain.Carolinedidnotreturnmyvisittillyesterday;andnotanote,notaline,did I receive in themeantime.Whenshedidcome, itwasveryevident thatshehadnopleasureinit;shemadeaslight,formalapology,fornotcallingbe-fore,saidnotawordofwishingtoseemeagain,andwasineveryrespectsoalteredacreature, thatwhenshewentawayIwasperfectlyresolvedtocon-tinuetheacquaintancenolonger.Ipity,thoughIcannothelpblamingher.Shewasverywronginsinglingmeoutasshedid;Icansafelysaythateveryad-vancetointimacybeganonherside.ButIpityher,becauseshemustfeelthatshehasbeen actingwrong, andbecause I amvery sure that anxiety forherbrother is the cause of it. I need not explainmyself farther; and thoughweknowthisanxietytobequiteneedless,yetifshefeelsit,itwilleasilyaccountforherbehaviourtome;andsodeservedlydearasheistohissister,whateveranxietyshemustfeelonhisbehalfisnaturalandamiable.Icannotbutwon-der,however,atherhavinganysuchfearsnow,because,ifhehadatallcaredaboutme,wemusthavemet,longago.Heknowsofmybeingintown,Iamcertain,fromsomethingshesaidherself;andyetitwouldseem,byherman-neroftalking,asifshewantedtopersuadeherselfthatheisreallypartialtoMissDarcy.Icannotunderstandit.IfIwerenotafraidofjudgingharshly,Ishouldbealmosttemptedtosaythatthereisastrongappearanceofduplicityinallthis.ButIwillendeavourtobanisheverypainfulthought,andthinkonlyofwhatwillmakemehappy—youraffection,andtheinvariablekindnessofmydearuncleandaunt.Letmehearfromyouverysoon.MissBingleysaidsomethingofhisneverreturningtoNetherfieldagain,ofgivingupthehouse,butnotwithanycertainty.Wehadbetternotmentionit.IamextremelygladthatyouhavesuchpleasantaccountsfromourfriendsatHunsford.Praygotoseethem,withSirWilliamandMaria.Iamsureyouwillbeverycomfortablethere.—Yours,etc.”

ThislettergaveElizabethsomepain;butherspiritsreturnedassheconsideredthatJanewouldnolongerbeduped,bythesisteratleast.Allexpectationfromthebrotherwasnowabsolutelyover.Shewouldnotevenwishforarenewalofhisattentions.Hischaractersunkoneveryreviewofit;andasapunishmentforhim,aswellasapossibleadvantagetoJane,sheseriouslyhopedhemightreallysoonmarryMr.Darcy’ssister,asbyWickham’saccount,shewouldmakehimabundantlyregretwhathehadthrownaway.Mrs.Gardiner about this time remindedElizabeth of her promise concerning that

gentleman,andrequired information;andElizabethhadsuch tosendasmight rather

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givecontentmenttoherauntthantoherself.Hisapparentpartialityhadsubsided,hisattentionswere over, hewas the admirer of some one else. Elizabethwaswatchfulenoughtoseeitall,butshecouldseeitandwriteofitwithoutmaterialpain.Herhearthad been but slightly touched, and her vanity was satisfied with believing that shewouldhavebeenhisonlychoice,hadfortunepermittedit.Thesuddenacquisitionoften thousandpoundswas themost remarkablecharmof theyoung lady towhomhewasnowrenderinghimselfagreeable;butElizabeth,lessclear-sightedperhapsinthiscasethaninCharlotte’s,didnotquarrelwithhimforhiswishofindependence.Noth-ing,onthecontrary,couldbemorenatural;andwhileabletosupposethatitcosthimafewstrugglestorelinquishher,shewasreadytoallowitawiseanddesirablemeasureforboth,andcouldverysincerelywishhimhappy.All thiswasacknowledged toMrs.Gardiner; andafter relating thecircumstances,

shethuswenton:“Iamnowconvinced,mydearaunt,thatIhaveneverbeenmuchinlove;forhadIreallyexperiencedthatpureandelevatingpassion,Ishouldatpresentdetesthisveryname,andwishhimallmannerofevil.Butmyfeelingsarenotonlycordialtowardshim;theyareevenimpartialtowardsMissKing.IcannotfindoutthatIhateheratall,orthatIamintheleastunwillingtothinkheraverygoodsortofgirl.Therecanbenoloveinallthis.Mywatchfulnesshasbeeneffectual;andthoughIcer-tainlyshouldbeamoreinterestingobjecttoallmyacquaintanceswereIdistractedlyinlovewith him, I cannot say that I regretmy comparative insignificance. Importancemaysometimesbepurchasedtoodearly.KittyandLydiatakehisdefectionmuchmoretoheart thanIdo.Theyareyoungin thewaysof theworld,andnotyetopento themortifying conviction that handsomeyoungmenmust have something to live on aswellastheplain.”

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Chapter27

Withnogreaterevents than these in theLongbournfamily,andotherwisediversi-fiedby littlebeyondthewalks toMeryton,sometimesdirtyandsometimescold,didJanuaryandFebruarypassaway.Marchwas to takeElizabeth toHunsford.Shehadnotatfirstthoughtveryseriouslyofgoingthither;butCharlotte,shesoonfound,wasdepending on the plan and she gradually learned to consider it herself with greaterpleasureaswellasgreatercertainty.AbsencehadincreasedherdesireofseeingChar-lotteagain,andweakenedherdisgustofMr.Collins.Therewasnoveltyinthescheme,andas,withsuchamotherandsuchuncompanionablesisters,homecouldnotbefault-less,alittlechangewasnotunwelcomeforitsownsake.ThejourneywouldmoreovergiveherapeepatJane;and,inshort,asthetimedrewnear,shewouldhavebeenverysorry for anydelay.Everything,however,wenton smoothly, andwas finally settledaccordingtoCharlotte’sfirstsketch.ShewastoaccompanySirWilliamandhissec-onddaughter.TheimprovementofspendinganightinLondonwasaddedintime,andtheplanbecameperfectasplancouldbe.Theonly painwas in leaving her father,whowould certainlymiss her, andwho,

whenitcametothepoint,solittlelikedhergoing,thathetoldhertowritetohim,andalmostpromisedtoanswerherletter.ThefarewellbetweenherselfandMr.Wickhamwasperfectlyfriendly;onhisside

evenmore.HispresentpursuitcouldnotmakehimforgetthatElizabethhadbeenthefirsttoexciteandtodeservehisattention,thefirsttolistenandtopity,thefirsttobeadmired; and in hismanner of bidding her adieu,wishing her every enjoyment, re-mindingherofwhatshewastoexpectinLadyCatherinedeBourgh,andtrustingtheiropinionofher—theiropinionofeverybody—wouldalwayscoincide,therewasasolic-itude,aninterestwhichshefeltmusteverattachhertohimwithamostsincereregard;andshepartedfromhimconvincedthat,whethermarriedorsingle,hemustalwaysbehermodeloftheamiableandpleasing.Her fellow-travellers the next daywere not of a kind tomake her think him less

agreeable.SirWilliamLucas, andhis daughterMaria, a good-humouredgirl, but asempty-headedashimself,hadnothingtosaythatcouldbeworthhearing,andwerelis-tenedtowithaboutasmuchdelightastherattleofthechaise.Elizabethlovedabsurdi-ties,butshehadknownSirWilliam’stoolong.Hecouldtellhernothingnewofthe

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wondersofhispresentationandknighthood;andhiscivilitieswerewornout,likehisinformation.Itwas a journeyofonly twenty-fourmiles, and theybegan it so early as tobe in

GracechurchStreetbynoon.AstheydrovetoMr.Gardiner’sdoor,Janewasatadraw-ing-roomwindowwatchingtheirarrival;whentheyenteredthepassageshewastheretowelcome them,andElizabeth, lookingearnestly inher face,waspleased to see ithealthfulandlovelyasever.Onthestairswereatroopoflittleboysandgirls,whoseeagernessfortheircousin’sappearancewouldnotallowthemtowaitinthedrawing-room,andwhoseshyness,astheyhadnotseenherforatwelvemonth,preventedtheircoming lower.Allwas joy andkindness.Thedaypassedmost pleasantly away; themorninginbustleandshopping,andtheeveningatoneofthetheatres.Elizabeththencontrivedtositbyheraunt.Theirfirstobjectwashersister;andshe

wasmoregrievedthanastonishedtohear,inreplytoherminuteinquiries,thatthoughJanealwaysstruggledtosupportherspirits,therewereperiodsofdejection.Itwasrea-sonable,however,tohopethattheywouldnotcontinuelong.Mrs.GardinergavehertheparticularsalsoofMissBingley’svisitinGracechurchStreet,andrepeatedconver-sations occurring at different times between Jane and herself,which proved that theformerhad,fromherheart,givenuptheacquaintance.Mrs.GardinerthenralliedhernieceonWickham’sdesertion,andcomplimentedher

onbearingitsowell.“ButmydearElizabeth,” she added, “what sort ofgirl isMissKing? I shouldbe

sorrytothinkourfriendmercenary.”“Pray,mydearaunt,whatisthedifferenceinmatrimonialaffairs,betweenthemer-

cenary and the prudentmotive?Where does discretion end, and avarice begin?LastChristmas youwere afraid of hismarryingme, because itwould be imprudent; andnow,becauseheistryingtogetagirlwithonlytenthousandpounds,youwanttofindoutthatheismercenary.”“IfyouwillonlytellmewhatsortofgirlMissKingis,Ishallknowwhattothink.”“Sheisaverygoodkindofgirl,Ibelieve.Iknownoharmofher.”“Buthepaidhernotthesmallestattentiontillhergrandfather’sdeathmadehermis-

tressofthisfortune.”“No—whyshouldhe?Ifitwerenotallowableforhimtogainmyaffectionsbecause

Ihadnomoney,whatoccasioncouldtherebeformakinglovetoagirlwhomhedidnotcareabout,andwhowasequallypoor?”“Butthereseemsanindelicacyindirectinghisattentionstowardshersosoonafter

thisevent.”“A man in distressed circumstances has not time for all those elegant decorums

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whichotherpeoplemayobserve.Ifshedoesnotobjecttoit,whyshouldwe?”“Hernotobjectingdoesnotjustifyhim.Itonlyshowsherbeingdeficientinsome-

thingherself—senseorfeeling.”“Well,”criedElizabeth,“haveitasyouchoose.Heshallbemercenary,andsheshall

befoolish.”“No,Lizzy,thatiswhatIdonotchoose.Ishouldbesorry,youknow,tothinkillof

ayoungmanwhohaslivedsolonginDerbyshire.”“Oh!ifthatisall,IhaveaverypooropinionofyoungmenwholiveinDerbyshire;

andtheir intimatefriendswholiveinHertfordshirearenotmuchbetter.Iamsickofthemall.ThankHeaven!Iamgoingto-morrowwhereIshallfindamanwhohasnotone agreeablequality,whohasneithermannernor sense to recommendhim.Stupidmenaretheonlyonesworthknowing,afterall.”“Takecare,Lizzy;thatspeechsavoursstronglyofdisappointment.”Before theywere separatedby theconclusionof theplay, shehad theunexpected

happinessofaninvitationtoaccompanyheruncleandauntinatourofpleasurewhichtheyproposedtakinginthesummer.“Wehavenotdeterminedhowfaritshallcarryus,”saidMrs.Gardiner,“but,per-

haps,totheLakes.”NoschemecouldhavebeenmoreagreeabletoElizabeth,andheracceptanceofthe

invitation was most ready and grateful. “Oh, my dear, dear aunt,” she rapturouslycried,“whatdelight!whatfelicity!Yougivemefreshlifeandvigour.Adieutodisap-pointmentandspleen.Whatareyoungmentorocksandmountains?Oh!whathoursoftransportweshallspend!Andwhenwedoreturn,itshallnotbelikeothertravellers,withoutbeingabletogiveoneaccurateideaofanything.Wewillknowwherewehavegone—wewillrecollectwhatwehaveseen.Lakes,mountains,andriversshallnotbejumbledtogetherinourimaginations;norwhenweattempttodescribeanyparticularscene,willwebeginquarrelingabout its relative situation.Letour firsteffusionsbelessinsupportablethanthoseofthegeneralityoftravellers.”

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Everyobjectinthenextday’sjourneywasnewandinterestingtoElizabeth;andherspiritswere inastateofenjoyment; forshehadseenhersister lookingsowellas tobanish all fear for her health, and the prospect of her northern tour was a constantsourceofdelight.WhentheyleftthehighroadforthelanetoHunsford,everyeyewasinsearchofthe

Parsonage,andeveryturningexpectedtobringitinview.ThepalingsofRosingsParkwastheirboundaryononeside.Elizabethsmiledattherecollectionofallthatshehadheardofitsinhabitants.AtlengththeParsonagewasdiscernible.Thegardenslopingtotheroad,thehouse

standinginit,thegreenpales,andthelaurelhedge,everythingdeclaredtheywerear-riving.Mr.CollinsandCharlotteappearedatthedoor,andthecarriagestoppedatthesmallgatewhichledbyashortgravelwalktothehouse,amidstthenodsandsmilesofthewholeparty.Inamomenttheywerealloutofthechaise,rejoicingatthesightofeachother.Mrs.Collinswelcomedherfriendwiththeliveliestpleasure,andElizabethwasmoreandmoresatisfiedwithcomingwhenshefoundherselfsoaffectionatelyre-ceived.Shesawinstantlythathercousin’smannerswerenotalteredbyhismarriage;hisformalcivilitywasjustwhatithadbeen,andhedetainedhersomeminutesatthegatetohearandsatisfyhisinquiriesafterallherfamily.Theywerethen,withnootherdelay thanhispointingout theneatnessof theentrance, taken into thehouse;andassoonastheywereintheparlour,hewelcomedthemasecondtime,withostentatiousformalitytohishumbleabode,andpunctuallyrepeatedallhiswife’soffersofrefresh-ment.Elizabethwaspreparedtoseehiminhisglory;andshecouldnothelpinfancying

thatindisplayingthegoodproportionoftheroom,itsaspectanditsfurniture,head-dressedhimselfparticularlytoher,asifwishingtomakeherfeelwhatshehadlostinrefusinghim.Butthougheverythingseemedneatandcomfortable,shewasnotabletogratifyhimbyanysighofrepentance,andratherlookedwithwonderatherfriendthatshecouldhavesocheerfulanairwithsuchacompanion.WhenMr.Collinssaidany-thingofwhichhiswifemightreasonablybeashamed,whichcertainlywasnotunsel-dom,sheinvoluntarilyturnedhereyeonCharlotte.Onceortwiceshecoulddiscernafaintblush;but ingeneralCharlottewiselydidnothear.Aftersittinglongenoughto

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admireeveryarticleoffurnitureintheroom,fromthesideboardtothefender,togiveanaccountof their journey,andofall thathadhappened inLondon,Mr.Collins in-vitedthemtotakeastrollinthegarden,whichwaslargeandwelllaidout,andtothecultivationofwhichheattendedhimself.Toworkinthisgardenwasoneofhismostrespectablepleasures;andElizabethadmiredthecommandofcountenancewithwhichCharlotte talkedof thehealthfulnessof theexercise,andownedsheencourageditasmuch as possible. Here, leading the way through every walk and cross walk, andscarcely allowing theman interval to utter thepraises he asked for, everyviewwaspointedoutwithaminutenesswhichleftbeautyentirelybehind.Hecouldnumberthefieldsineverydirection,andcouldtellhowmanytreestherewereinthemostdistantclump.Butofalltheviewswhichhisgarden,orwhichthecountryorkingdomcouldboast,noneweretobecomparedwiththeprospectofRosings,affordedbyanopeninginthetreesthatborderedtheparknearlyoppositethefrontofhishouse.Itwasahand-somemodernbuilding,wellsituatedonrisingground.Fromhisgarden,Mr.Collinswouldhaveledthemroundhistwomeadows;butthe

ladies, not having shoes to encounter the remains of awhite frost, turned back; andwhile Sir William accompanied him, Charlotte took her sister and friend over thehouse,extremelywellpleased,probably,tohavetheopportunityofshowingitwithoutherhusband’shelp.Itwasrathersmall,butwellbuiltandconvenient;andeverythingwas fittedupandarrangedwithaneatnessandconsistencyofwhichElizabethgaveCharlotteallthecredit.WhenMr.Collinscouldbeforgotten,therewasreallyanairofgreat comfort throughout, andbyCharlotte’sevident enjoymentof it,Elizabeth sup-posedhemustbeoftenforgotten.ShehadalreadylearntthatLadyCatherinewasstillinthecountry.Itwasspokenof

againwhiletheywereatdinner,whenMr.Collinsjoiningin,observed:“Yes,MissElizabeth,youwillhavethehonourofseeingLadyCatherinedeBourgh

on theensuingSundayatchurch,andIneednotsayyouwillbedelightedwithher.Sheisallaffabilityandcondescension,andIdoubtnotbutyouwillbehonouredwithsomeportionofhernoticewhenserviceisover.Ihavescarcelyanyhesitationinsay-ingshewillincludeyouandmysisterMariaineveryinvitationwithwhichshehon-ours us duringyour stayhere.Her behaviour tomydearCharlotte is charming.WedineatRosingstwiceeveryweek,andareneverallowedtowalkhome.Herladyship’scarriageisregularlyorderedforus.Ishould say,oneofher ladyship’scarriages, forshehasseveral.”“Lady Catherine is a very respectable, sensible woman indeed,” added Charlotte,

“andamostattentiveneighbour.”“Verytrue,mydear,thatisexactlywhatIsay.Sheisthesortofwomanwhomone

cannotregardwithtoomuchdeference.”

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TheeveningwasspentchieflyintalkingoverHertfordshirenews,andtellingagainwhat had already beenwritten; andwhen it closed,Elizabeth, in the solitude of herchamber,had tomeditateuponCharlotte’sdegreeof contentment, tounderstandheraddressinguiding,andcomposureinbearingwith,herhusband,andtoacknowledgethatitwasalldoneverywell.Shehadalsotoanticipatehowhervisitwouldpass,thequiettenoroftheirusualemployments,thevexatiousinterruptionsofMr.Collins,andthegaietiesoftheirintercoursewithRosings.Alivelyimaginationsoonsettleditall.Aboutthemiddleofthenextday,asshewasinherroomgettingreadyforawalk,a

suddennoisebelowseemedtospeakthewholehouseinconfusion;and,afterlisteningamoment,sheheardsomebodyrunningupstairsinaviolenthurry,andcallingloudlyafterher.SheopenedthedoorandmetMariainthelandingplace,who,breathlesswithagitation,criedout—“Oh,mydearEliza!praymakehaste and come into thedining-room, for there is

suchasighttobeseen!Iwillnottellyouwhatitis.Makehaste,andcomedownthismoment.”Elizabeth asked questions in vain;Maria would tell her nothingmore, and down

theyranintothedining-room,whichfrontedthelane,inquestofthiswonder;Itwastwoladiesstoppinginalowphaetonatthegardengate.“Andisthisall?”criedElizabeth.“Iexpectedatleastthatthepigsweregotintothe

garden,andhereisnothingbutLadyCatherineandherdaughter.”“La!mydear,”saidMaria,quiteshockedatthemistake,“itisnotLadyCatherine.

The old lady isMrs. Jenkinson,who liveswith them; the other isMiss deBourgh.Onlylookather.Sheisquitealittlecreature.Whowouldhavethoughtthatshecouldbesothinandsmall?”“SheisabominablyrudetokeepCharlotteoutofdoorsinallthiswind.Whydoes

shenotcomein?”“Oh,Charlottesaysshehardlyeverdoes.ItisthegreatestoffavourswhenMissde

Bourghcomesin.”“I like her appearance,” saidElizabeth, struckwith other ideas. “She looks sickly

andcross.Yes,shewilldoforhimverywell.Shewillmakehimaveryproperwife.”Mr.Collins andCharlottewereboth standing at thegate in conversationwith the

ladies;andSirWilliam,toElizabeth’shighdiversion,wasstationedinthedoorway,inearnest contemplation of the greatness before him, and constantly bowingwheneverMissdeBourghlookedthatway.Atlengththerewasnothingmoretobesaid;theladiesdroveon,andtheothersre-

turnedintothehouse.Mr.Collinsnosoonersawthetwogirls thanhebegantocon-gratulatethemontheirgoodfortune,whichCharlotteexplainedbylettingthemknowthatthewholepartywasaskedtodineatRosingsthenextday.

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Chapter29

Mr.Collins’striumph,inconsequenceofthisinvitation,wascomplete.Thepowerof displaying the grandeur of his patroness to hiswondering visitors, and of lettingthemseehercivilitytowardshimselfandhiswife,wasexactlywhathehadwishedfor;andthatanopportunityofdoingitshouldbegivensosoon,wassuchaninstanceofLadyCatherine’scondescension,asheknewnothowtoadmireenough.“Iconfess,”saidhe,“thatIshouldnothavebeenatallsurprisedbyherladyship’s

askingusonSundaytodrinkteaandspendtheeveningatRosings.Iratherexpected,frommyknowledgeofheraffability,thatitwouldhappen.Butwhocouldhavefore-seensuchanattentionasthis?Whocouldhaveimaginedthatweshouldreceiveanin-vitationtodinethere(aninvitation,moreover,includingthewholeparty)soimmedi-atelyafteryourarrival!”“I am the less surprised at what has happened,” replied Sir William, “from that

knowledgeofwhatthemannersofthegreatreallyare,whichmysituationinlifehasallowedmetoacquire.Aboutthecourt,suchinstancesofelegantbreedingarenotun-common.”Scarcely anythingwas talked of thewhole day or nextmorning but their visit to

Rosings.Mr.Collinswascarefullyinstructingtheminwhattheyweretoexpect,thatthesightofsuchrooms,somanyservants,andsosplendidadinner,mightnotwhollyoverpowerthem.Whentheladieswereseparatingforthetoilette,hesaidtoElizabeth—“Donotmakeyourselfuneasy,mydearcousin,aboutyourapparel.LadyCatherine

isfarfromrequiringthateleganceofdressinuswhichbecomesherselfandherdaugh-ter.Iwouldadviseyoumerelytoputonwhateverofyourclothesissuperiortotherest—thereisnooccasionforanythingmore.LadyCatherinewillnotthinktheworseofyouforbeingsimplydressed.Shelikestohavethedistinctionofrankpreserved.”Whiletheyweredressing,hecametwoorthreetimestotheirdifferentdoors,torec-

ommendtheirbeingquick,asLadyCatherineverymuchobjectedtobekeptwaitingfor her dinner. Such formidable accounts of her ladyship, and hermanner of living,quitefrightenedMariaLucaswhohadbeenlittleusedtocompany,andshelookedfor-wardtoherintroductionatRosingswithasmuchapprehensionasherfatherhaddone

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tohispresentationatSt.James’s.As theweatherwas fine, theyhadapleasantwalkofabouthalfamileacross the

park. Every park has its beauty and its prospects; and Elizabeth saw much to bepleasedwith, though she could not be in such raptures asMr. Collins expected thescene to inspire,andwasbutslightlyaffectedbyhisenumerationof thewindows infrontof thehouse,andhisrelationofwhat theglazingaltogetherhadoriginallycostSirLewisdeBourgh.Whentheyascendedthestepstothehall,Maria’salarmwaseverymomentincreas-

ing,andevenSirWilliamdidnotlookperfectlycalm.Elizabeth’scouragedidnotfailher.ShehadheardnothingofLadyCatherinethatspokeherawfulfromanyextraordi-nary talents or miraculous virtue, and the mere stateliness of money or rank shethoughtshecouldwitnesswithouttrepidation.Fromtheentrance-hall,ofwhichMr.Collinspointedout,witharapturousair, the

fineproportionandthefinishedornaments,theyfollowedtheservantsthroughanante-chamber, to the roomwhereLadyCatherine,herdaughter,andMrs. Jenkinsonweresitting. Her ladyship, with great condescension, arose to receive them; and asMrs.Collinshadsettleditwithherhusbandthattheofficeofintroductionshouldbehers,itwasperformedinapropermanner,withoutanyof thoseapologiesandthankswhichhewouldhavethoughtnecessary.InspiteofhavingbeenatSt.James’s,SirWilliamwassocompletelyawedbythe

grandeur surrounding him, that he had but just courage enough tomake a very lowbow,andtakehisseatwithoutsayingaword;andhisdaughter,frightenedalmostoutofhersenses,satontheedgeofherchair,notknowingwhichwaytolook.Elizabethfoundherselfquite equal to the scene, andcouldobserve the three ladiesbeforehercomposedly.LadyCatherinewasa tall, largewoman,withstrongly-markedfeatures,whichmightoncehavebeenhandsome.Herairwasnotconciliating,norwasherman-nerofreceivingthemsuchastomakehervisitorsforgettheir inferiorrank.Shewasnotrenderedformidablebysilence;butwhatevershesaidwasspokeninsoauthorita-tiveatone,asmarkedherself-importance,andbroughtMr.WickhamimmediatelytoElizabeth’smind;and from theobservationof thedayaltogether, shebelievedLadyCatherinetobeexactlywhatherepresented.When,afterexaminingthemother,inwhosecountenanceanddeportmentshesoon

foundsomeresemblanceofMr.Darcy,sheturnedhereyesonthedaughter,shecouldalmosthave joined inMaria’sastonishmentatherbeingso thinandsosmall.Therewasneither in figurenor face any likeness between the ladies.Miss deBourghwaspaleandsickly;herfeatures,thoughnotplain,wereinsignificant;andshespokeverylittle,exceptinalowvoice,toMrs.Jenkinson,inwhoseappearancetherewasnothingremarkable,andwhowasentirelyengagedinlisteningtowhatshesaid,andplacingascreenintheproperdirectionbeforehereyes.

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Aftersittingafewminutes,theywereallsenttooneofthewindowstoadmiretheview,Mr.Collinsattendingthemtopointoutitsbeauties,andLadyCatherinekindlyinformingthemthatitwasmuchbetterworthlookingatinthesummer.Thedinnerwasexceedinglyhandsome,andtherewerealltheservantsandallthear-

ticles of platewhichMr.Collins hadpromised; and, as hehad likewise foretold, hetookhisseatatthebottomofthetable,byherladyship’sdesire,andlookedasifhefeltthatlifecouldfurnishnothinggreater.Hecarved,andate,andpraisedwithdelightedalacrity;andeverydishwascommended, firstbyhimand thenbySirWilliam,whowasnowenoughrecovered toechowhateverhisson-in-lawsaid, inamannerwhichElizabethwonderedLadyCatherinecouldbear.ButLadyCatherineseemedgratifiedbytheirexcessiveadmiration,andgavemostgracioussmiles,especiallywhenanydishon the tableprovedanovelty to them.Thepartydidnot supplymuchconversation.Elizabethwasreadytospeakwhenevertherewasanopening,butshewasseatedbe-tweenCharlotteandMissdeBourgh—theformerofwhomwasengagedinlisteningtoLadyCatherine,and the lattersaidnotaword toheralldinner-time.Mrs.Jenkinsonwaschieflyemployed inwatchinghowlittleMissdeBourghate,pressingher to trysomeother dish, and fearing shewas indisposed.Maria thought speakingout of thequestion,andthegentlemendidnothingbuteatandadmire.Whentheladiesreturnedtothedrawing-room,therewaslittletobedonebuttohear

LadyCatherinetalk,whichshedidwithoutanyintermissiontillcoffeecamein,deliv-eringheropiniononeverysubjectinsodecisiveamanner,asprovedthatshewasnotusedtohaveherjudgementcontroverted.SheinquiredintoCharlotte’sdomesticcon-cernsfamiliarlyandminutely,gaveheragreatdealofadviceastothemanagementofthemall; toldherhoweverythingought toberegulatedinsosmallafamilyashers,andinstructedherastothecareofhercowsandherpoultry.Elizabethfoundthatnoth-ingwasbeneaththisgreatlady’sattention,whichcouldfurnishherwithanoccasionofdictatingtoothers.IntheintervalsofherdiscoursewithMrs.Collins,sheaddressedavarietyofquestionstoMariaandElizabeth,butespeciallytothelatter,ofwhosecon-nectionssheknewtheleast,andwhosheobservedtoMrs.Collinswasaverygenteel,prettykindofgirl.Sheaskedher,atdifferenttimes,howmanysistersshehad,whethertheywereolderoryounger thanherself,whetheranyof themwere likely tobemar-ried,whether theywerehandsome,where theyhadbeeneducated,whatcarriageherfatherkept,andwhathadbeenhermother’smaidenname?Elizabethfeltalltheimper-tinenceofherquestionsbutansweredthemverycomposedly.LadyCatherinethenob-served,“Yourfather’sestateisentailedonMr.Collins,I think.Foryoursake,”turningto

Charlotte,“Iamgladof it;butotherwiseIseenooccasionforentailingestatesfromthefemaleline.ItwasnotthoughtnecessaryinSirLewisdeBourgh’sfamily.Doyouplayandsing,MissBennet?”

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“Alittle.”“Oh!then—sometimeorotherweshallbehappytohearyou.Ourinstrumentisa

capitalone,probablysuperior to——Youshall try it someday.Doyour sistersplayandsing?”“Oneofthemdoes.”“Whydidnotyoualllearn?Yououghtalltohavelearned.TheMissWebbsallplay,

andtheirfatherhasnotsogoodanincomeasyours.Doyoudraw?”“No,notatall.”“What,noneofyou?”“Notone.”“That isvery strange.But I supposeyouhadnoopportunity.Yourmother should

havetakenyoutotowneveryspringforthebenefitofmasters.”“Mymotherwouldhavehadnoobjection,butmyfatherhatesLondon.”“Hasyourgovernessleftyou?”“Weneverhadanygoverness.”“Nogoverness!Howwasthatpossible?Fivedaughtersbroughtupathomewithout

agoverness!Ineverheardofsuchathing.Yourmothermusthavebeenquiteaslavetoyoureducation.”Elizabethcouldhardlyhelpsmilingassheassuredherthathadnotbeenthecase.“Then,whotaughtyou?whoattendedtoyou?Withoutagoverness,youmusthave

beenneglected.”“Comparedwithsomefamilies,Ibelievewewere;butsuchofusaswishedtolearn

neverwantedthemeans.Wewerealwaysencouragedtoread,andhadallthemastersthatwerenecessary.Thosewhochosetobeidle,certainlymight.”“Aye,nodoubt;butthatiswhatagovernesswillprevent,andifIhadknownyour

mother, Ishouldhaveadvisedhermoststrenuously toengageone. Ialwayssay thatnothingistobedoneineducationwithoutsteadyandregularinstruction,andnobodybutagovernesscangiveit.ItiswonderfulhowmanyfamiliesIhavebeenthemeansofsupplyinginthatway.Iamalwaysgladtogetayoungpersonwellplacedout.FourniecesofMrs.Jenkinsonaremostdelightfullysituatedthroughmymeans;anditwasbuttheotherdaythatIrecommendedanotheryoungperson,whowasmerelyacciden-tallymentionedtome,andthefamilyarequitedelightedwithher.Mrs.Collins,didItellyouofLadyMetcalf’scallingyesterdaytothankme?ShefindsMissPopeatrea-sure. ‘Lady Catherine,’ said she, ‘you have given me a treasure.’ Are any of youryoungersistersout,MissBennet?”“Yes,ma’am,all.”

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“All!What,allfiveoutatonce?Veryodd!Andyouonlythesecond.Theyoungeronesoutbeforetheelderonesaremarried!Youryoungersistersmustbeveryyoung?”“Yes,myyoungestisnotsixteen.Perhapssheisfullyoungtobemuchincompany.

Butreally,ma’am,Ithinkitwouldbeveryharduponyoungersisters,thattheyshouldnot have their share of society and amusement, because the eldermay not have themeansorinclinationtomarryearly.Thelast-bornhasasgoodarighttothepleasuresofyouthasthefirst.Andtobekeptbackonsuchamotive!Ithinkitwouldnotbeverylikelytopromotesisterlyaffectionordelicacyofmind.”“Uponmyword,”saidher ladyship,“yougiveyouropinionverydecidedlyforso

youngaperson.Pray,whatisyourage?”“With three younger sisters grownup,” repliedElizabeth, smiling, “your ladyship

canhardlyexpectmetoownit.”LadyCatherineseemedquiteastonishedatnotreceivingadirectanswer;andEliza-

bethsuspectedherselftobethefirstcreaturewhohadeverdaredtotriflewithsomuchdignifiedimpertinence.“Youcannotbemore than twenty, Iamsure, thereforeyouneednotconcealyour

age.”“Iamnotone-and-twenty.”Whenthegentlemenhadjoinedthem,andteawasover,thecard-tableswereplaced.

LadyCatherine,SirWilliam,andMr.andMrs.Collinssatdowntoquadrille;andasMissdeBourghchosetoplayatcassino,thetwogirlshadthehonourofassistingMrs.Jenkinsontomakeupherparty.Theirtablewassuperlativelystupid.Scarcelyasylla-blewasutteredthatdidnotrelatetothegame,exceptwhenMrs.JenkinsonexpressedherfearsofMissdeBourgh’sbeingtoohotortoocold,orhavingtoomuchortoolit-tle light.A great dealmore passed at the other table. LadyCatherinewas generallyspeaking—stating themistakesof the threeothers,or relatingsomeanecdoteofher-self.Mr.Collinswasemployedinagreeing toeverythingher ladyshipsaid, thankingherforeveryfishhewon,andapologisingifhethoughthewontoomany.SirWilliamdidnotsaymuch.Hewasstoringhismemorywithanecdotesandnoblenames.WhenLadyCatherineandherdaughterhadplayedaslongastheychose,thetables

werebrokenup,thecarriagewasofferedtoMrs.Collins,gratefullyacceptedandim-mediatelyordered.ThepartythengatheredroundthefiretohearLadyCatherinedeter-minewhat weather theywere to have on themorrow. From these instructions theyweresummonedbythearrivalofthecoach;andwithmanyspeechesofthankfulnessonMr.Collins’ssideandasmanybowsonSirWilliam’s theydeparted.Assoonastheyhaddrivenfromthedoor,Elizabethwascalledonbyhercousintogiveheropin-ion of all that she had seen atRosings,which, forCharlotte’s sake, shemademorefavourablethanitreallywas.Buthercommendation,thoughcostinghersometrouble,

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couldbynomeanssatisfyMr.Collins,andhewasverysoonobligedtotakeherlady-ship’spraiseintohisownhands.

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Chapter30

SirWilliamstayedonlyaweekatHunsford,buthisvisitwaslongenoughtocon-vincehimofhisdaughter’sbeingmostcomfortablysettled,andofherpossessingsuchahusbandandsuchaneighbouraswerenotoftenmetwith.WhileSirWilliamwaswiththem,Mr.Collinsdevotedhismorningtodrivinghimoutinhisgig,andshowinghimthecountry;butwhenhewentaway,thewholefamilyreturnedtotheirusualem-ployments,andElizabethwasthankfultofindthattheydidnotseemoreofhercousinby the alteration, for the chief of the time between breakfast and dinner was nowpassedbyhimeitheratworkinthegardenorinreadingandwriting,andlookingoutofthewindowinhisownbook-room,whichfrontedtheroad.Theroominwhichtheladiessatwasbackwards.ElizabethhadatfirstratherwonderedthatCharlotteshouldnotprefer thedining-parlour forcommonuse; itwasabetter sized room,andhadamorepleasantaspect;butshesoonsawthatherfriendhadanexcellentreasonforwhatshedid,forMr.Collinswouldundoubtedlyhavebeenmuchlessinhisownapartment,hadtheysatinoneequallylively;andshegaveCharlottecreditforthearrangement.From the drawing-room they could distinguish nothing in the lane, and were in-

debtedtoMr.Collinsfortheknowledgeofwhatcarriageswentalong,andhowoftenespeciallyMissdeBourghdrovebyinherphaeton,whichheneverfailedcomingtoinformthemof,thoughithappenedalmosteveryday.ShenotunfrequentlystoppedattheParsonage,andhadafewminutes’conversationwithCharlotte,butwasscarcelyeverprevailedupontogetout.VeryfewdayspassedinwhichMr.CollinsdidnotwalktoRosings,andnotmany

inwhich hiswife did not think it necessary to go likewise; and tillElizabeth recol-lectedthattheremightbeotherfamilylivingstobedisposedof,shecouldnotunder-stand the sacrifice of somanyhours.Nowand then theywere honouredwith a callfromherladyship,andnothingescapedherobservationthatwaspassingintheroomduringthesevisits.Sheexaminedintotheiremployments,lookedattheirwork,andad-visedthemtodoitdifferently;foundfaultwiththearrangementofthefurniture;orde-tectedthehousemaidinnegligence;andifsheacceptedanyrefreshment,seemedtodoitonlyforthesakeoffindingoutthatMrs.Collins’sjointsofmeatweretoolargeforherfamily.Elizabethsoonperceived,thatthoughthisgreatladywasnotincommissionofthe

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peaceofthecounty,shewasamostactivemagistrateinherownparish,theminutestconcernsofwhichwerecarried toherbyMr.Collins;andwheneveranyof thecot-tagersweredisposedtobequarrelsome,discontented,ortoopoor,shesalliedforthintothevillagetosettletheirdifferences,silencetheircomplaints,andscoldthemintohar-monyandplenty.TheentertainmentofdiningatRosingswas repeatedabout twiceaweek;and,al-

lowingforthelossofSirWilliam,andtherebeingonlyonecard-tableintheevening,every such entertainment was the counterpart of the first. Their other engagementswere few, as the style of living in the neighbourhood in general was beyond Mr.Collins’sreach.This,however,wasnoeviltoElizabeth,anduponthewholeshespenther time comfortably enough; there were half-hours of pleasant conversation withCharlotte,andtheweatherwassofineforthetimeofyearthatshehadoftengreaten-joymentoutofdoors.Herfavouritewalk,andwhereshefrequentlywentwhiletheoth-erswerecallingonLadyCatherine,wasalongtheopengrovewhichedgedthatsideofthepark,wheretherewasaniceshelteredpath,whichnooneseemedtovaluebuther-self,andwhereshefeltbeyondthereachofLadyCatherine’scuriosity.In thisquietway, the first fortnightofhervisit soonpassedaway.Easterwasap-

proaching,andtheweekprecedingitwastobringanadditiontothefamilyatRosings,whichinsosmallacirclemustbeimportant.ElizabethhadheardsoonafterherarrivalthatMr.Darcywasexpectedthereinthecourseofafewweeks,andthoughtherewerenotmanyofheracquaintanceswhomshedidnotprefer,hiscomingwouldfurnishonecomparativelynewtolookatintheirRosingsparties,andshemightbeamusedinsee-inghowhopelessMissBingley’sdesignsonhimwere,byhisbehaviourtohiscousin,forwhomhewasevidentlydestinedbyLadyCatherine,whotalkedofhiscomingwiththegreatestsatisfaction,spokeofhimintermsofthehighestadmiration,andseemedalmostangrytofindthathehadalreadybeenfrequentlyseenbyMissLucasandher-self.HisarrivalwassoonknownattheParsonage;forMr.Collinswaswalkingthewhole

morningwithinviewof the lodgesopening intoHunsfordLane, inorder tohave theearliestassuranceofit,andaftermakinghisbowasthecarriageturnedintothePark,hurried homewith the great intelligence. On the followingmorning he hastened toRosings to pay his respects. Therewere two nephews of LadyCatherine to requirethem,forMr.DarcyhadbroughtwithhimaColonelFitzwilliam,theyoungersonofhisuncleLord——,and, to thegreatsurpriseofall theparty,whenMr.Collins re-turned,thegentlemenaccompaniedhim.Charlottehadseenthemfromherhusband’sroom,crossingtheroad,andimmediatelyrunningintotheother,toldthegirlswhatanhonourtheymightexpect,adding:“Imaythankyou,Eliza,forthispieceofcivility.Mr.Darcywouldneverhavecome

sosoontowaituponme.”

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Elizabethhadscarcelytimetodisclaimallrighttothecompliment,beforetheirap-proachwasannouncedbythedoor-bell,andshortlyafterwardsthethreegentlemenen-teredtheroom.ColonelFitzwilliam,wholedtheway,wasaboutthirty,nothandsome,butinpersonandaddressmosttrulythegentleman.Mr.Darcylookedjustashehadbeenused to look inHertfordshire—paidhiscompliments,withhisusual reserve, toMrs.Collins,andwhatevermightbehisfeelingstowardherfriend,metherwitheveryappearanceofcomposure.Elizabethmerelycurtseyedtohimwithoutsayingaword.ColonelFitzwilliamenteredintoconversationdirectlywiththereadinessandeaseof

awell-bredman,and talkedverypleasantly;buthiscousin,afterhavingaddressedaslightobservationonthehouseandgardentoMrs.Collins,satforsometimewithoutspeakingtoanybody.Atlength,however,hiscivilitywassofarawakenedastoinquireofElizabeth after thehealthof her family.She answeredhim in theusualway, andafteramoment’spause,added:“Myeldestsisterhasbeenintownthesethreemonths.Haveyouneverhappenedto

seeherthere?”She was perfectly sensible that he never had; but she wished to see whether he

wouldbetrayanyconsciousnessofwhathadpassedbetween theBingleysand Jane,andshethoughthelookedalittleconfusedasheansweredthathehadneverbeensofortunateastomeetMissBennet.Thesubjectwaspursuednofarther,andthegentle-mensoonafterwardswentaway.

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Chapter31

ColonelFitzwilliam’smannerswereverymuchadmiredat theParsonage,and theladiesall felt thathemustaddconsiderably to thepleasuresof theirengagementsatRosings.Itwassomedays,however,beforetheyreceivedanyinvitationthither—forwhiletherewerevisitorsinthehouse,theycouldnotbenecessary;anditwasnottillEaster-day, almost aweek after thegentlemen’s arrival, that theywerehonouredbysuchanattention,andthentheyweremerelyaskedonleavingchurchtocomethereintheevening.ForthelastweektheyhadseenverylittleofLadyCatherineorherdaugh-ter.ColonelFitzwilliamhadcalledat theParsonagemore thanonceduring the time,butMr.Darcytheyhadseenonlyatchurch.Theinvitationwasacceptedofcourse,andataproperhourtheyjoinedthepartyin

LadyCatherine’sdrawing-room.Her ladyship received themcivilly,but itwasplainthattheircompanywasbynomeanssoacceptableaswhenshecouldgetnobodyelse;andshewas,infact,almostengrossedbyhernephews,speakingtothem,especiallytoDarcy,muchmorethantoanyotherpersonintheroom.ColonelFitzwilliamseemedreallygladtoseethem;anythingwasawelcomerelief

tohimatRosings;andMrs.Collins’sprettyfriendhadmoreovercaughthisfancyverymuch.Henowseatedhimselfbyher,and talkedsoagreeablyofKentandHertford-shire,of travellingandstayingathome,ofnewbooksandmusic, thatElizabethhadneverbeenhalf sowell entertained in that roombefore; and theyconversedwith somuchspiritandflow,astodrawtheattentionofLadyCatherineherself,aswellasofMr.Darcy.Hiseyeshadbeensoonandrepeatedlyturnedtowardsthemwithalookofcuriosity;andthatherladyship,afterawhile,sharedthefeeling,wasmoreopenlyac-knowledged,forshedidnotscrupletocallout:“Whatis thatyouaresaying,Fitzwilliam?Whatis ityouaretalkingof?Whatare

youtellingMissBennet?Letmehearwhatitis.”“Wearespeakingofmusic,madam,”saidhe,whennolongerabletoavoidareply.“Ofmusic!Thenprayspeakaloud.Itisofallsubjectsmydelight.Imusthavemy

shareintheconversationifyouarespeakingofmusic.TherearefewpeopleinEng-land,Isuppose,whohavemoretrueenjoymentofmusicthanmyself,orabetternat-ural taste. If I had ever learnt, I should have been a great proficient.And sowould

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Anne,ifherhealthhadallowedhertoapply.Iamconfidentthatshewouldhaveper-formeddelightfully.HowdoesGeorgianageton,Darcy?”Mr.Darcyspokewithaffectionatepraiseofhissister’sproficiency.“Iamverygladtohearsuchagoodaccountofher,”saidLadyCatherine;“andpray

tellherfromme,thatshecannotexpecttoexcelifshedoesnotpracticeagooddeal.”“Iassureyou,madam,”hereplied,“thatshedoesnotneedsuchadvice.Sheprac-

tisesveryconstantly.”“Somuch thebetter. It cannotbedone toomuch; andwhen Inextwrite toher, I

shallchargehernottoneglectitonanyaccount.Ioftentellyoungladiesthatnoexcel-lenceinmusicistobeacquiredwithoutconstantpractice.IhavetoldMissBennetsev-eral times, thatshewillneverplayreallywellunlessshepractisesmore;and thoughMrs.Collinshasnoinstrument,sheisverywelcome,asIhaveoftentoldher,tocometoRosingseveryday,andplayonthepianoforteinMrs.Jenkinson’sroom.Shewouldbeinnobody’sway,youknow,inthatpartofthehouse.”Mr.Darcylookedalittleashamedofhisaunt’sill-breeding,andmadenoanswer.Whencoffeewasover,ColonelFitzwilliamremindedElizabethofhavingpromised

toplaytohim;andshesatdowndirectlytotheinstrument.Hedrewachairnearher.LadyCatherinelistenedtohalfasong,andthentalked,asbefore,toherothernephew;till the latterwalkedaway fromher, andmakingwithhisusualdeliberation towardsthepianofortestationedhimselfsoastocommandafullviewofthefairperformer’scountenance. Elizabeth saw what he was doing, and at the first convenient pause,turnedtohimwithanarchsmile,andsaid:“Youmeantofrightenme,Mr.Darcy,bycominginallthisstatetohearme?Iwill

notbealarmedthoughyoursisterdoesplaysowell.Thereisastubbornnessaboutmethatnevercanbeartobefrightenedat thewillofothers.Mycouragealwaysrisesateveryattempttointimidateme.”“Ishallnotsayyouaremistaken,”hereplied,“becauseyoucouldnotreallybelieve

me toentertainanydesignofalarmingyou;and Ihavehad thepleasureofyourac-quaintancelongenoughtoknowthatyoufindgreatenjoymentinoccasionallyprofess-ingopinionswhichinfactarenotyourown.”Elizabethlaughedheartilyatthispictureofherself,andsaidtoColonelFitzwilliam,

“Yourcousinwillgiveyouaveryprettynotionofme,andteachyounottobelieveawordIsay.Iamparticularlyunluckyinmeetingwithapersonsoabletoexposemyrealcharacter,inapartoftheworldwhereIhadhopedtopassmyselfoffwithsomedegreeofcredit. Indeed,Mr.Darcy, it isveryungenerous inyou tomentionall thatyouknewtomydisadvantage inHertfordshire—and,giveme leave tosay,very im-politictoo—foritisprovokingmetoretaliate,andsuchthingsmaycomeoutaswillshockyourrelationstohear.”

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“Iamnotafraidofyou,”saidhe,smilingly.“Pray letmehearwhatyouhave toaccusehimof,” criedColonelFitzwilliam.“I

shouldliketoknowhowhebehavesamongstrangers.”“You shall hear then—butprepareyourself for somethingverydreadful.The first

timeofmyeverseeinghiminHertfordshire,youmustknow,wasataball—andatthisball,whatdoyouthinkhedid?Hedancedonlyfourdances, thoughgentlemenwerescarce;and,tomycertainknowledge,morethanoneyoungladywassittingdowninwantofapartner.Mr.Darcy,youcannotdenythefact.”“Ihadnotatthattimethehonourofknowinganyladyintheassemblybeyondmy

ownparty.”“True; and nobody can ever be introduced in a ball-room. Well, Colonel

Fitzwilliam,whatdoIplaynext?Myfingerswaityourorders.”“Perhaps,”saidDarcy,“I shouldhave judgedbetter,had I soughtan introduction;

butIamill-qualifiedtorecommendmyselftostrangers.”“Shall we ask your cousin the reason of this?” said Elizabeth, still addressing

ColonelFitzwilliam.“Shallweaskhimwhyamanofsenseandeducation,andwhohaslivedintheworld,isillqualifiedtorecommendhimselftostrangers?”“Icanansweryourquestion,”saidFitzwilliam,“withoutapplyingtohim.It isbe-

causehewillnotgivehimselfthetrouble.”“I certainlyhavenot the talentwhich somepeoplepossess,” saidDarcy, “of con-

versingeasilywiththoseIhaveneverseenbefore.Icannotcatchtheirtoneofconver-sation,orappearinterestedintheirconcerns,asIoftenseedone.”“My fingers,” said Elizabeth, “do not move over this instrument in the masterly

mannerwhichIseesomanywomen’sdo.Theyhavenot thesameforceorrapidity,anddonotproducethesameexpression.ButthenIhavealwayssupposedittobemyownfault—becauseIwillnottakethetroubleofpractising.ItisnotthatIdonotbe-lievemyfingersascapableasanyotherwoman’sofsuperiorexecution.”Darcy smiled and said, “You are perfectly right. You have employed your time

muchbetter.Nooneadmittedtotheprivilegeofhearingyoucanthinkanythingwant-ing.Weneitherofusperformtostrangers.”Here theywere interruptedbyLadyCatherine,whocalledout toknowwhat they

were talking of. Elizabeth immediately began playing again. Lady Catherine ap-proached,and,afterlisteningforafewminutes,saidtoDarcy:“MissBennetwouldnotplayatallamissifshepractisedmore,andcouldhavethe

advantageof aLondonmaster.Shehas averygoodnotionof fingering, thoughhertaste is not equal toAnne’s.Annewould have been a delightful performer, had herhealthallowedhertolearn.”

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Elizabeth lookedatDarcy to seehowcordiallyheassented tohiscousin’spraise;butneitheratthatmomentnoratanyothercouldshediscernanysymptomoflove;andfromthewholeofhisbehaviourtoMissdeBourghshederivedthiscomfortforMissBingley,thathemighthavebeenjustaslikelytomarryher,hadshebeenhisrelation.Lady Catherine continued her remarks on Elizabeth’s performance, mixing with

themmany instructions on execution and taste.Elizabeth received themwith all theforbearanceofcivility,and,attherequestofthegentlemen,remainedattheinstrumenttillherladyship’scarriagewasreadytotakethemallhome.

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Chapter32

Elizabethwas sitting byherself the nextmorning, andwriting to JanewhileMrs.CollinsandMariaweregoneonbusinessintothevillage,whenshewasstartledbyaring at the door, the certain signal of a visitor. As she had heard no carriage, shethoughtitnotunlikelytobeLadyCatherine,andunderthatapprehensionwasputtingawayherhalf-finishedletterthatshemightescapeallimpertinentquestions,whenthedooropened,and,toherverygreatsurprise,Mr.Darcy,andMr.Darcyonly,enteredtheroom.Heseemedastonishedtooonfindingheralone,andapologisedforhisintrusionby

lettingherknowthathehadunderstoodalltheladiesweretobewithin.They then sat down, andwhen her inquiries afterRosingsweremade, seemed in

dangerofsinkingintototalsilence.Itwasabsolutelynecessary,therefore,tothinkofsomething,andinthisemergencerecollectingwhenshehadseenhimlastinHertford-shire,andfeelingcurioustoknowwhathewouldsayonthesubjectoftheirhastyde-parture,sheobserved:“HowverysuddenlyyouallquittedNetherfieldlastNovember,Mr.Darcy!Itmust

havebeenamostagreeablesurprisetoMr.Bingleytoseeyouallafterhimsosoon;for,ifIrecollectright,hewentbutthedaybefore.Heandhissisterswerewell,Ihope,whenyouleftLondon?”“Perfectlyso,Ithankyou.”Shefoundthatshewastoreceivenootheranswer,and,afterashortpauseadded:“IthinkIhaveunderstoodthatMr.Bingleyhasnotmuchideaofeverreturningto

Netherfieldagain?”“Ihaveneverheardhimsayso;butitisprobablethathemayspendverylittleofhis

timethereinthefuture.Hehasmanyfriends,andisatatimeoflifewhenfriendsandengagementsarecontinuallyincreasing.”“IfhemeanstobebutlittleatNetherfield,itwouldbebetterfortheneighbourhood

thatheshouldgiveuptheplaceentirely,forthenwemightpossiblygetasettledfam-ily there. But, perhaps,Mr. Bingley did not take the house somuch for the conve-nienceoftheneighbourhoodasforhisown,andwemustexpecthimtokeepitorquit

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itonthesameprinciple.”“Ishouldnotbesurprised,”saidDarcy,“ifheweretogiveitupassoonasanyeligi-

blepurchaseoffers.”Elizabethmadenoanswer.Shewasafraidoftalkinglongerofhisfriend;and,hav-

ingnothingelsetosay,wasnowdeterminedtoleavethetroubleoffindingasubjecttohim.Hetookthehint,andsoonbeganwith,“Thisseemsaverycomfortablehouse.Lady

Catherine,Ibelieve,didagreatdealtoitwhenMr.CollinsfirstcametoHunsford.”“Ibelieveshedid—andIamsureshecouldnothavebestowedherkindnessona

moregratefulobject.”“Mr.Collinsappearstobeveryfortunateinhischoiceofawife.”“Yes,indeed,hisfriendsmaywellrejoiceinhishavingmetwithoneoftheveryfew

sensiblewomenwhowouldhaveacceptedhim,orhavemadehimhappyiftheyhad.Myfriendhasanexcellentunderstanding—thoughIamnotcertainthatIconsiderhermarryingMr.Collinsasthewisestthingsheeverdid.Sheseemsperfectlyhappy,how-ever,andinaprudentiallightitiscertainlyaverygoodmatchforher.”“Itmustbeveryagreeableforhertobesettledwithinsoeasyadistanceofherown

familyandfriends.”“Aneasydistance,doyoucallit?Itisnearlyfiftymiles.”“Andwhatisfiftymilesofgoodroad?Littlemorethanhalfaday’sjourney.Yes,I

callitaveryeasydistance.”“Ishouldneverhaveconsideredthedistanceasoneoftheadvantagesofthematch,”

criedElizabeth.“IshouldneverhavesaidMrs.Collinswassettlednearherfamily.”“It is aproofofyourownattachment toHertfordshire.Anythingbeyond thevery

neighbourhoodofLongbourn,Isuppose,wouldappearfar.”Ashespoke therewasasortofsmilewhichElizabeth fanciedsheunderstood;he

mustbesupposinghertobethinkingofJaneandNetherfield,andsheblushedassheanswered:“Idonotmeantosaythatawomanmaynotbesettledtoonearherfamily.Thefar

andthenearmustberelative,anddependonmanyvaryingcircumstances.Wherethereis fortune tomake theexpensesof travellingunimportant,distancebecomesnoevil.Butthatisnotthecasehere.Mr.andMrs.Collinshaveacomfortableincome,butnotsuchaoneaswillallowoffrequent journeys—andIampersuadedmyfriendwouldnotcallherselfnearherfamilyunderlessthanhalfthepresentdistance.”Mr.Darcydrewhischairalittletowardsher,andsaid,“Youcannothavearightto

suchverystronglocalattachment.YoucannothavebeenalwaysatLongbourn.”

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Elizabethlookedsurprised.Thegentlemanexperiencedsomechangeoffeeling;hedrewbackhischair,tookanewspaperfromthetable,andglancingoverit,said,inacoldervoice:“AreyoupleasedwithKent?”Ashortdialogueonthesubjectofthecountryensued,oneithersidecalmandcon-

cise—andsoonputanendtobytheentranceofCharlotteandhersister,justreturnedfromherwalk. The tête-à-tête surprised them.Mr.Darcy related themistakewhichhadoccasionedhis intrudingonMissBennet, andafter sitting a fewminutes longerwithoutsayingmuchtoanybody,wentaway.“What canbe themeaningof this?” saidCharlotte, as soonashewasgone. “My

dear,Eliza,hemustbeinlovewithyou,orhewouldneverhavecalledusinthisfamil-iarway.”ButwhenElizabeth toldof his silence, it didnot seemvery likely, even toChar-

lotte’swishes,tobethecase;andaftervariousconjectures,theycouldatlastonlysup-posehisvisittoproceedfromthedifficultyoffindinganythingtodo,whichwasthemoreprobable from the timeofyear.All field sportswereover.Withindoors therewas Lady Catherine, books, and a billiard-table, but gentlemen cannot always bewithindoors;andinthenearnessoftheParsonage,orthepleasantnessofthewalktoit,orofthepeoplewholivedinit,thetwocousinsfoundatemptationfromthisperiodofwalkingthitheralmosteveryday.Theycalledatvarioustimesofthemorning,some-timesseparately,sometimestogether,andnowandthenaccompaniedbytheiraunt.Itwasplain to themall thatColonelFitzwilliamcamebecausehehadpleasure in theirsociety,apersuasionwhichofcourserecommendedhimstillmore;andElizabethwasremindedbyherownsatisfactioninbeingwithhim,aswellasbyhisevidentadmira-tionofher,ofherformerfavouriteGeorgeWickham;andthough,incomparingthem,shesawtherewaslesscaptivatingsoftnessinColonelFitzwilliam’smanners,shebe-lievedhemighthavethebestinformedmind.ButwhyMr.DarcycamesooftentotheParsonage,itwasmoredifficulttounder-

stand.Itcouldnotbeforsociety,ashefrequentlysattheretenminutestogetherwith-outopeninghis lips;andwhenhedidspeak, it seemed theeffectofnecessity ratherthanofchoice—asacrificetopropriety,notapleasuretohimself.Heseldomappearedreallyanimated.Mrs.Collinsknewnotwhattomakeofhim.ColonelFitzwilliam’soc-casionallylaughingathisstupidity,provedthathewasgenerallydifferent,whichherownknowledgeofhimcouldnot have toldher; and as shewould liked tohavebe-lievedthischangetheeffectoflove,andtheobjectofthatloveherfriendEliza,shesetherselfseriouslytoworktofinditout.ShewatchedhimwhenevertheywereatRos-ings, and whenever he came to Hunsford; but without much success. He certainlylookedatherfriendagreatdeal,buttheexpressionofthatlookwasdisputable.Itwasanearnest,steadfastgaze,butsheoftendoubtedwhetherthereweremuchadmiration

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init,andsometimesitseemednothingbutabsenceofmind.ShehadonceortwicesuggestedtoElizabeththepossibilityofhisbeingpartial to

her,butElizabethalwayslaughedattheidea;andMrs.Collinsdidnotthinkitrighttopressthesubject,fromthedangerofraisingexpectationswhichmightonlyendindis-appointment;forinheropinionitadmittednotofadoubt,thatallherfriend’sdislikewouldvanish,ifshecouldsupposehimtobeinherpower.In her kind schemes for Elizabeth, she sometimes planned her marrying Colonel

Fitzwilliam.Hewasbeyondcomparisonthemostpleasantman;hecertainlyadmiredher,andhissituationinlifewasmosteligible;but,tocounterbalancetheseadvantages,Mr.Darcyhadconsiderablepatronageinthechurch,andhiscousincouldhavenoneatall.

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Chapter33

MorethanoncedidElizabeth,inherramblewithinthepark,unexpectedlymeetMr.Darcy.Shefeltalltheperversenessofthemischancethatshouldbringhimwherenooneelsewasbrought,and,topreventitseverhappeningagain,tookcaretoinformhimatfirstthatitwasafavouritehauntofhers.Howitcouldoccurasecondtime,there-fore,wasveryodd!Yet itdid,andevena third. Itseemedlikewilful ill-nature,oravoluntarypenance,forontheseoccasionsitwasnotmerelyafewformalinquiriesandanawkwardpauseandthenaway,butheactuallythoughtitnecessarytoturnbackandwalkwithher.Heneversaidagreatdeal,nordidshegiveherselfthetroubleoftalkingoroflisteningmuch;butitstruckherinthecourseoftheirthirdrencontrethathewasaskingsomeoddunconnectedquestions—aboutherpleasureinbeingatHunsford,herloveofsolitarywalks,andheropinionofMr.andMrs.Collins’shappiness;andthatinspeakingofRosingsandhernotperfectlyunderstandingthehouse,heseemedtoex-pectthatwhenevershecameintoKentagainshewouldbestayingtheretoo.Hiswordsseemedtoimplyit.CouldhehaveColonelFitzwilliaminhisthoughts?Shesupposed,ifhemeantanything,hemustmeananallusiontowhatmightariseinthatquarter.Itdistressedheralittle,andshewasquitegladtofindherselfatthegateinthepalesop-positetheParsonage.Shewasengagedonedayasshewalked,inperusingJane’slastletter,anddwelling

onsomepassageswhichprovedthatJanehadnotwritteninspirits,when, insteadofbeingagainsurprisedbyMr.Darcy,shesawon lookingup thatColonelFitzwilliamwasmeetingher.Puttingawaytheletterimmediatelyandforcingasmile,shesaid:“Ididnotknowbeforethatyoueverwalkedthisway.”“Ihavebeenmakingthetourofthepark,”hereplied,“asIgenerallydoeveryyear,

andintendtocloseitwithacallattheParsonage.Areyougoingmuchfarther?”“No,Ishouldhaveturnedinamoment.”Andaccordinglyshedidturn,andtheywalkedtowardstheParsonagetogether.“DoyoucertainlyleaveKentonSaturday?”saidshe.“Yes—ifDarcydoesnotputitoffagain.ButIamathisdisposal.Hearrangesthe

businessjustashepleases.”

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“Andifnotabletopleasehimselfinthearrangement,hehasatleastpleasureinthegreatpowerofchoice.IdonotknowanybodywhoseemsmoretoenjoythepowerofdoingwhathelikesthanMr.Darcy.”“Helikestohavehisownwayverywell,”repliedColonelFitzwilliam.“Butsowe

alldo.Itisonlythathehasbettermeansofhavingitthanmanyothers,becauseheisrich,andmanyothersarepoor.Ispeakfeelingly.Ayoungerson,youknow,mustbeinuredtoself-denialanddependence.”“Inmyopinion,theyoungersonofanearlcanknowverylittleofeither.Nowseri-

ously,whathaveyoueverknownofself-denialanddependence?Whenhaveyoubeenpreventedbywantofmoney fromgoingwhereveryouchose,orprocuringanythingyouhadafancyfor?”“Thesearehomequestions—andperhapsIcannotsaythatIhaveexperiencedmany

hardshipsof thatnature.But inmattersofgreaterweight, Imaysuffer fromwantofmoney.Youngersonscannotmarrywheretheylike.”“Unlesswheretheylikewomenoffortune,whichIthinktheyveryoftendo.”“Ourhabitsofexpensemakeustoodependent,andtherearenotmanyinmyrankof

lifewhocanaffordtomarrywithoutsomeattentiontomoney.”“Isthis,”thoughtElizabeth,“meantforme?”andshecolouredattheidea;but,re-

coveringherself,saidinalivelytone,“Andpray,whatistheusualpriceofanearl’syounger son? Unless the elder brother is very sickly, I suppose you would not askabovefiftythousandpounds.”Heansweredher in thesamestyle,andthesubjectdropped.Tointerruptasilence

whichmightmakehimfancyheraffectedwithwhathadpassed,shesoonafterwardssaid:“I imagineyourcousinbroughtyoudownwithhimchiefly for thesakeofhaving

someoneathisdisposal.Iwonderhedoesnotmarry,tosecurealastingconvenienceofthatkind.But,perhaps,hissisterdoesaswellforthepresent,and,assheisunderhissolecare,hemaydowhathelikeswithher.”“No,”saidColonelFitzwilliam,“thatisanadvantagewhichhemustdividewithme.

IamjoinedwithhimintheguardianshipofMissDarcy.”“Areyouindeed?Andpraywhatsortofguardiansdoyoumake?Doesyourcharge

giveyoumuchtrouble?Youngladiesofheragearesometimesalittledifficulttoman-age,andifshehasthetrueDarcyspirit,shemayliketohaveherownway.”Asshespokesheobservedhimlookingatherearnestly;andthemannerinwhichhe

immediatelyaskedherwhyshesupposedMissDarcylikelytogivethemanyuneasi-ness,convincedher that shehadsomehoworothergotprettynear the truth.Shedi-rectlyreplied:

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“Youneednotbefrightened.Ineverheardanyharmofher;andIdaresayshe isoneofthemosttractablecreaturesintheworld.Sheisaverygreatfavouritewithsomeladiesofmyacquaintance,Mrs.HurstandMissBingley.IthinkIhaveheardyousaythatyouknowthem.”“Iknowthemalittle.Theirbrotherisapleasantgentlemanlikeman—heisagreat

friendofDarcy’s.”“Oh! yes,” saidElizabeth drily; “Mr.Darcy is uncommonly kind toMr.Bingley,

andtakesaprodigiousdealofcareofhim.”“Care of him! Yes, I really believe Darcy does take care of him in those points

where hemostwants care. From something that he toldme in our journey hither, IhavereasontothinkBingleyverymuchindebtedtohim.ButIoughttobeghispardon,for Ihaveno right to suppose thatBingleywas thepersonmeant. Itwasall conjec-ture.”“Whatisityoumean?”“ItisacircumstancewhichDarcycouldnotwishtobegenerallyknown,becauseif

itweretogetroundtothelady’sfamily,itwouldbeanunpleasantthing.”“Youmaydependuponmynotmentioningit.”“AndrememberthatIhavenotmuchreasonforsupposingittobeBingley.Whathe

toldmewasmerelythis:thathecongratulatedhimselfonhavinglatelysavedafriendfromtheinconveniencesofamostimprudentmarriage,butwithoutmentioningnamesoranyotherparticulars,andIonlysuspectedittobeBingleyfrombelievinghimthekindofyoungman toget intoascrapeof thatsort,andfromknowing themtohavebeentogetherthewholeoflastsummer.”“DidMr.Darcygiveyoureasonsforthisinterference?”“Iunderstoodthatthereweresomeverystrongobjectionsagainstthelady.”“Andwhatartsdidheusetoseparatethem?”“Hedidnottalktomeofhisownarts,”saidFitzwilliam,smiling.“Heonlytoldme

whatIhavenowtoldyou.”Elizabethmadenoanswer,andwalkedon,herheartswellingwithindignation.After

watchingheralittle,Fitzwilliamaskedherwhyshewassothoughtful.“Iamthinkingofwhatyouhavebeentellingme,”saidshe.“Yourcousin’sconduct

doesnotsuitmyfeelings.Whywashetobethejudge?”“Youareratherdisposedtocallhisinterferenceofficious?”“IdonotseewhatrightMr.Darcyhadtodecideontheproprietyofhisfriend’sin-

clination,orwhy,uponhisown judgement alone,hewas todetermineanddirect inwhatmannerhisfriendwastobehappy.But,”shecontinued,recollectingherself,“as

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weknownoneoftheparticulars,itisnotfairtocondemnhim.Itisnottobesupposedthattherewasmuchaffectioninthecase.”“Thatisnotanunnaturalsurmise,”saidFitzwilliam,“butitisalesseningofthehon-

ourofmycousin’striumphverysadly.”Thiswasspokenjestingly;butitappearedtohersojustapictureofMr.Darcy,that

shewouldnottrustherselfwithananswer,andtherefore,abruptlychangingthecon-versation talked on indifferentmatters until they reached theParsonage.There, shutintoherownroom,assoonastheirvisitorleftthem,shecouldthinkwithoutinterrup-tionofallthatshehadheard.Itwasnottobesupposedthatanyotherpeoplecouldbemeantthanthosewithwhomshewasconnected.Therecouldnotexistintheworldtwomen overwhomMr.Darcy could have such boundless influence. That he had beenconcernedinthemeasurestakentoseparateBingleyandJaneshehadneverdoubted;butshehadalwaysattributedtoMissBingleytheprincipaldesignandarrangementofthem.Ifhisownvanity,however,didnotmisleadhim,hewasthecause,hisprideandcapricewerethecause,ofallthatJanehadsuffered,andstillcontinuedtosuffer.Hehad ruined for a while every hope of happiness for themost affectionate, generousheartintheworld;andnoonecouldsayhowlastinganevilhemighthaveinflicted.“There were some very strong objections against the lady,” were Colonel

Fitzwilliam’swords;andthosestrongobjectionsprobablywere,herhavingoneunclewhowasacountryattorney,andanotherwhowasinbusinessinLondon.“To Jane herself,” she exclaimed, “there could be no possibility of objection; all

lovelinessandgoodnessasshe is!—herunderstandingexcellent,hermindimproved,andhermannerscaptivating.Neithercouldanythingbeurgedagainstmyfather,who,thoughwithsomepeculiarities,hasabilitiesMr.Darcyhimselfneednotdisdain,andrespectabilitywhichhewillprobablyneverreach.”Whenshethoughtofhermother,herconfidencegavewayalittle;butshewouldnotallowthatanyobjectionstherehadmaterial weight withMr. Darcy, whose pride, she was convinced, would receive adeeperwoundfromthewantofimportanceinhisfriend’sconnections,thanfromtheirwantofsense;andshewasquitedecided,atlast,thathehadbeenpartlygovernedbythisworstkindofpride,andpartlybythewishofretainingMr.Bingleyforhissister.Theagitationandtearswhichthesubjectoccasioned,broughtonaheadache;andit

grewsomuchworsetowardstheevening,that,addedtoherunwillingnesstoseeMr.Darcy,itdeterminedhernottoattendhercousinstoRosings,wheretheywereengagedtodrinktea.Mrs.Collins,seeingthatshewasreallyunwell,didnotpresshertogoandasmuchaspossiblepreventedherhusbandfrompressingher;butMr.CollinscouldnotconcealhisapprehensionofLadyCatherine’sbeingratherdispleasedbyherstay-ingathome.

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When theywere gone,Elizabeth, as if intending to exasperate herself asmuch aspossibleagainstMr.Darcy,choseforheremploymenttheexaminationofalltheletterswhichJanehadwrittentohersinceherbeinginKent.Theycontainednoactualcom-plaint,norwasthereanyrevivalofpastoccurrences,oranycommunicationofpresentsuffering.Butinall,andinalmosteverylineofeach,therewasawantofthatcheerful-nesswhich had been used to characterise her style, andwhich, proceeding from theserenityofamindateasewithitselfandkindlydisposedtowardseveryone,hadbeenscarcelyeverclouded.Elizabethnoticedeverysentenceconveyingtheideaofuneasi-ness,withanattentionwhichithadhardlyreceivedonthefirstperusal.Mr.Darcy’sshamefulboastofwhatmiseryhehadbeenabletoinflict,gaveherakeenersenseofhersister’ssufferings.ItwassomeconsolationtothinkthathisvisittoRosingswastoend on the day after the next—and, a still greater, that in less than a fortnight sheshouldherselfbewithJaneagain,andenabledtocontributetotherecoveryofherspir-its,byallthataffectioncoulddo.Shecouldnot thinkofDarcy’s leavingKentwithout remembering thathis cousin

wastogowithhim;butColonelFitzwilliamhadmadeitclearthathehadnointentionsatall,andagreeableashewas,shedidnotmeantobeunhappyabouthim.Whilesettlingthispoint,shewassuddenlyrousedbythesoundofthedoor-bell,and

herspiritswerea littleflutteredbytheideaof itsbeingColonelFitzwilliamhimself,whohadoncebeforecalledlateintheevening,andmightnowcometoinquireparticu-larlyafterher.Butthisideawassoonbanished,andherspiritswereverydifferentlyaf-fected,when, toherutter amazement, she sawMr.Darcywalk into the room. In anhurriedmannerheimmediatelybegananinquiryafterherhealth,imputinghisvisittoawish of hearing that shewere better. She answered himwith cold civility.He satdownforafewmoments,andthengettingup,walkedabouttheroom.Elizabethwassurprised,butsaidnotaword.Afterasilenceofseveralminutes,hecametowardsherinanagitatedmanner,andthusbegan:“InvainIhavestruggled.Itwillnotdo.Myfeelingswillnotberepressed.Youmust

allowmetotellyouhowardentlyIadmireandloveyou.”Elizabeth’sastonishmentwasbeyondexpression.Shestared,coloured,doubted,and

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wassilent.Thisheconsideredsufficientencouragement;andtheavowalofallthathefelt, andhad long felt forher, immediately followed.He spokewell; but therewerefeelingsbesidesthoseofthehearttobedetailed;andhewasnotmoreeloquentonthesubjectoftendernessthanofpride.Hissenseofherinferiority—ofitsbeingadegrada-tion—ofthefamilyobstacleswhichhadalwaysopposedtoinclination,weredweltonwithawarmthwhichseemedduetotheconsequencehewaswounding,butwasveryunlikelytorecommendhissuit.Inspiteofherdeeply-rooteddislike,shecouldnotbeinsensibletothecompliment

of suchaman’s affection, and thoughher intentionsdidnotvary for an instant, shewasatfirstsorryforthepainhewastoreceive;till,rousedtoresentmentbyhissubse-quentlanguage,shelostallcompassioninanger.Shetried,however,tocomposeher-selftoanswerhimwithpatience,whenheshouldhavedone.Heconcludedwithrepre-sentingtoherthestrengthofthatattachmentwhich,inspiteofallhisendeavours,hehadfoundimpossibletoconquer;andwithexpressinghishopethat itwouldnowberewardedbyheracceptanceofhishand.Ashesaidthis,shecouldeasilyseethathehadnodoubtofa favourableanswer.Hespokeofapprehensionandanxiety,buthiscountenance expressed real security.Such a circumstance couldonly exasperate far-ther,and,whenheceased,thecolourroseintohercheeks,andshesaid:“In such cases as this, it is, I believe, the establishedmode to express a sense of

obligation for thesentimentsavowed,howeverunequally theymaybe returned. It isnaturalthatobligationshouldbefelt,andifIcouldfeelgratitude,Iwouldnowthankyou.ButIcannot—Ihaveneverdesiredyourgoodopinion,andyouhavecertainlybe-stoweditmostunwillingly.Iamsorrytohaveoccasionedpaintoanyone.Ithasbeenmostunconsciouslydone,however,andIhopewillbeofshortduration.Thefeelingswhich,youtellme,havelongpreventedtheacknowledgmentofyourregard,canhavelittledifficultyinovercomingitafterthisexplanation.”Mr.Darcy,whowasleaningagainstthemantelpiecewithhiseyesfixedonherface,

seemedtocatchherwordswithnolessresentmentthansurprise.Hiscomplexionbe-camepalewithanger,andthedisturbanceofhismindwasvisibleineveryfeature.Hewasstrugglingfortheappearanceofcomposure,andwouldnotopenhislipstillhebe-lievedhimself tohaveattained it.Thepausewas toElizabeth’sfeelingsdreadful.Atlength,withavoiceofforcedcalmness,hesaid:“AndthisisallthereplywhichIamtohavethehonourofexpecting!Imight,per-

haps,wishtobeinformedwhy,withsolittleendeavouratcivility,Iamthusrejected.Butitisofsmallimportance.”“Imight aswell inquire,” replied she, “whywith soevident adesireofoffending

andinsultingme,youchosetotellmethatyoulikedmeagainstyourwill,againstyourreason,andevenagainstyourcharacter?Wasnotthissomeexcuseforincivility, ifIwasuncivil?ButIhaveotherprovocations.YouknowIhave.Hadnotmyfeelingsde-

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cided against you—had they been indifferent, or had they even been favourable, doyouthinkthatanyconsiderationwouldtemptmetoacceptthemanwhohasbeenthemeansofruining,perhapsforever,thehappinessofamostbelovedsister?”As she pronounced thesewords,Mr.Darcy changed colour; but the emotionwas

short,andhelistenedwithoutattemptingtointerruptherwhileshecontinued:“Ihaveeveryreasonintheworldtothinkillofyou.Nomotivecanexcusetheun-

justandungenerouspartyouactedthere.Youdarenot,youcannotdeny,thatyouhavebeentheprincipal,ifnottheonlymeansofdividingthemfromeachother—ofexpos-ingonetothecensureoftheworldforcapriceandinstability,andtheothertoitsderi-sionfordisappointedhopes,andinvolvingthembothinmiseryoftheacutestkind.”She paused, and sawwith no slight indignation that hewas listeningwith an air

whichprovedhimwhollyunmovedbyanyfeelingofremorse.Heevenlookedatherwithasmileofaffectedincredulity.“Canyoudenythatyouhavedoneit?”sherepeated.With assumed tranquillity he then replied: “I have nowish of denying that I did

everythinginmypowertoseparatemyfriendfromyoursister,orthatIrejoiceinmysuccess.TowardshimIhavebeenkinderthantowardsmyself.”Elizabethdisdainedtheappearanceofnoticingthiscivilreflection,butitsmeaning

didnotescape,norwasitlikelytoconciliateher.“But it isnotmerely thisaffair,”shecontinued,“onwhichmydislike is founded.

Longbeforeithadtakenplacemyopinionofyouwasdecided.Yourcharacterwasun-folded in the recitalwhich I receivedmanymonthsagofromMr.Wickham.On thissubject,whatcanyouhavetosay?Inwhat imaginaryactoffriendshipcanyouheredefendyourself?orunderwhatmisrepresentationcanyouhereimposeuponothers?”“Youtakeaneagerinterestinthatgentleman’sconcerns,”saidDarcy,inalesstran-

quiltone,andwithaheightenedcolour.“Who that knowswhat hismisfortunes have been, can help feeling an interest in

him?”“Hismisfortunes!”repeatedDarcycontemptuously;“yes,hismisfortuneshavebeen

greatindeed.”“Andofyourinfliction,”criedElizabethwithenergy.“Youhavereducedhimtohis

present state of poverty—comparative poverty. You have withheld the advantageswhichyoumustknowtohavebeendesignedforhim.Youhavedeprivedthebestyearsofhis lifeof that independencewhichwasno lesshisdue thanhisdesert.Youhavedoneall this!andyetyoucantreat thementionofhismisfortunewithcontemptandridicule.”“And this,” criedDarcy, as hewalkedwith quick steps across the room, “is your

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opinionofme!Thisistheestimationinwhichyouholdme!Ithankyouforexplainingit so fully.My faults, according to this calculation, are heavy indeed!But perhaps,”addedhe, stopping inhiswalk, and turning towardsher, “theseoffensesmighthavebeenoverlooked,hadnotyourpridebeenhurtbymyhonestconfessionofthescruplesthathadlongpreventedmyforminganyseriousdesign.Thesebitteraccusationsmighthavebeensuppressed,hadI,withgreaterpolicy,concealedmystruggles,andflatteredyouintothebeliefofmybeingimpelledbyunqualified,unalloyedinclination;byrea-son,byreflection,byeverything.Butdisguiseofeverysortismyabhorrence.NoramIashamedofthefeelingsIrelated.Theywerenaturalandjust.Couldyouexpectmetorejoiceintheinferiorityofyourconnections?—tocongratulatemyselfonthehopeofrelations,whoseconditioninlifeissodecidedlybeneathmyown?”Elizabethfeltherselfgrowingmoreangryeverymoment;yetshetriedtotheutmost

tospeakwithcomposurewhenshesaid:“Youaremistaken,Mr.Darcy,ifyousupposethatthemodeofyourdeclarationaf-

fectedmeinanyotherway,thanasitsparedmetheconcernwhichImighthavefeltinrefusingyou,hadyoubehavedinamoregentlemanlikemanner.”Shesawhimstartatthis,buthesaidnothing,andshecontinued:“Youcouldnothavemade theofferofyourhand inanypossibleway thatwould

havetemptedmetoacceptit.”Again his astonishmentwas obvious; and he looked at herwith an expression of

mingledincredulityandmortification.Shewenton:“From the very beginning—from the firstmoment, Imay almost say—ofmy ac-

quaintancewithyou,yourmanners,impressingmewiththefullestbeliefofyourarro-gance,yourconceit,andyourselfishdisdainofthefeelingsofothers,weresuchastoformthegroundworkofdisapprobationonwhichsucceedingeventshavebuiltsoim-movableadislike;andIhadnotknownyouamonthbeforeIfeltthatyouwerethelastmanintheworldwhomIcouldeverbeprevailedontomarry.”“You have said quite enough,madam. I perfectly comprehend your feelings, and

havenowonlytobeashamedofwhatmyownhavebeen.Forgivemeforhavingtakenupsomuchofyourtime,andacceptmybestwishesforyourhealthandhappiness.”Andwiththesewordshehastilylefttheroom,andElizabethheardhimthenextmo-

mentopenthefrontdoorandquitthehouse.Thetumultofhermind,wasnowpainfullygreat.Sheknewnothowtosupporther-

self,andfromactualweaknesssatdownandcriedforhalf-an-hour.Herastonishment,as she reflected onwhat had passed,was increased by every review of it. That sheshouldreceiveanofferofmarriagefromMr.Darcy!Thatheshouldhavebeeninlovewithherforsomanymonths!Somuchinloveastowishtomarryherinspiteofalltheobjectionswhichhadmadehimpreventhisfriend’smarryinghersister,andwhich

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mustappearat leastwithequalforceinhisowncase—wasalmostincredible!Itwasgratifying to have inspired unconsciously so strong an affection. But his pride, hisabominablepride—hisshamelessavowalofwhathehaddonewithrespecttoJane—hisunpardonableassuranceinacknowledging, thoughhecouldnot justify it,andtheunfeelingmannerinwhichhehadmentionedMr.Wickham,hiscrueltytowardswhomhehadnotattemptedtodeny,soonovercamethepitywhichtheconsiderationofhisat-tachmenthadforamomentexcited.ShecontinuedinveryagitatedreflectionstillthesoundofLadyCatherine’scarriagemadeherfeelhowunequalshewastoencounterCharlotte’sobservation,andhurriedherawaytoherroom.

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Elizabethawokethenextmorningtothesamethoughtsandmeditationswhichhadatlengthclosedhereyes.Shecouldnotyetrecoverfromthesurpriseofwhathadhap-pened;itwasimpossibletothinkofanythingelse;and,totallyindisposedforemploy-ment,sheresolved,soonafterbreakfast,toindulgeherselfinairandexercise.Shewasproceedingdirectlytoherfavouritewalk,whentherecollectionofMr.Darcy’ssome-times coming there stopped her, and instead of entering the park, she turned up thelane,whichledfartherfromtheturnpike-road.Theparkpalingwasstilltheboundaryononeside,andshesoonpassedoneofthegatesintotheground.Afterwalkingtwoorthreetimesalongthatpartofthelane,shewastempted,bythe

pleasantnessofthemorning,tostopatthegatesandlookintothepark.Thefiveweekswhich she had nowpassed inKent hadmade a great difference in the country, andeverydaywasaddingtotheverdureoftheearlytrees.Shewasonthepointofcontinu-ingherwalk,whenshecaughtaglimpseofagentlemanwithinthesortofgrovewhichedgedthepark;hewasmovingthatway;and,fearfulofitsbeingMr.Darcy,shewasdirectlyretreating.Butthepersonwhoadvancedwasnownearenoughtoseeher,andsteppingforwardwitheagerness,pronouncedhername.Shehadturnedaway;butonhearingherselfcalled,thoughinavoicewhichprovedittobeMr.Darcy,shemovedagaintowardsthegate.Hehadbythattimereacheditalso,and,holdingoutaletter,which she instinctively took, said,with a look of haughty composure, “I have beenwalkinginthegrovesometimeinthehopeofmeetingyou.Willyoudomethehonourofreading that letter?”Andthen,withaslightbow, turnedagain into theplantation,andwassoonoutofsight.Withnoexpectationofpleasure,butwiththestrongestcuriosity,Elizabethopened

the letter, and, to her still increasingwonder, perceived an envelope containing twosheetsofletter-paper,writtenquitethrough,inaveryclosehand.Theenvelopeitselfwaslikewisefull.Pursuingherwayalongthelane,shethenbeganit.ItwasdatedfromRosings,ateighto’clockinthemorning,andwasasfollows:—“Benotalarmed,madam,onreceivingthisletter,bytheapprehensionofitscontain-

inganyrepetitionofthosesentimentsorrenewalofthoseofferswhichwerelastnightsodisgustingtoyou.Iwritewithoutanyintentionofpainingyou,orhumblingmyself,bydwellingonwisheswhich,forthehappinessofboth,cannotbetoosoonforgotten;

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andtheeffortwhichtheformationandtheperusalofthislettermustoccasion,shouldhavebeenspared,hadnotmycharacterrequiredittobewrittenandread.Youmust,therefore, pardon the freedomwithwhich I demand your attention; your feelings, Iknow,willbestowitunwillingly,butIdemanditofyourjustice.“Twooffensesofaverydifferentnature,andbynomeansofequalmagnitude,you

lastnightlaidtomycharge.Thefirstmentionedwas,that,regardlessofthesentimentsofeither,IhaddetachedMr.Bingleyfromyoursister,andtheother,thatIhad,indefi-ance of various claims, in defiance of honour and humanity, ruined the immediateprosperityandblastedtheprospectsofMr.Wickham.Wilfullyandwantonlytohavethrownoff the companion ofmyyouth, the acknowledged favourite ofmy father, ayoungmanwhohadscarcelyanyotherdependence thanonourpatronage,andwhohadbeenbroughtuptoexpectitsexertion,wouldbeadepravity,towhichthesepara-tionoftwoyoungpersons,whoseaffectioncouldbethegrowthofonlyafewweeks,couldbearnocomparison.Butfromtheseverityofthatblamewhichwaslastnightsoliberallybestowed, respectingeachcircumstance, I shallhope tobe in the future se-cured,whenthefollowingaccountofmyactionsandtheirmotiveshasbeenread.If,intheexplanationof them,whichisduetomyself,Iamunderthenecessityofrelatingfeelingswhichmaybeoffensivetoyours,IcanonlysaythatIamsorry.Thenecessitymustbeobeyed,andfurtherapologywouldbeabsurd.“I had not been long inHertfordshire, before I saw, in commonwith others, that

Bingleypreferredyour elder sister to anyotheryoungwoman in the country.But itwasnottilltheeveningofthedanceatNetherfieldthatIhadanyapprehensionofhisfeelingaseriousattachment.Ihadoftenseenhiminlovebefore.Atthatball,whileIhad the honour of dancing with you, I was first made acquainted, by Sir WilliamLucas’saccidental information, thatBingley’sattentionstoyoursisterhadgivenrisetoageneralexpectationoftheirmarriage.Hespokeofitasacertainevent,ofwhichthetimealonecouldbeundecided.FromthatmomentIobservedmyfriend’sbehav-iourattentively;andIcouldthenperceivethathispartialityforMissBennetwasbe-yondwhatIhadeverwitnessedinhim.YoursisterIalsowatched.Herlookandman-nerswereopen,cheerful,andengagingasever,butwithoutanysymptomofpeculiarregard,andIremainedconvincedfromtheevening’sscrutiny,thatthoughshereceivedhisattentionswithpleasure,shedidnotinvitethembyanyparticipationofsentiment.Ifyouhavenotbeenmistakenhere,Imusthavebeeninerror.Yoursuperiorknowl-edgeofyoursistermustmakethelatterprobable.Ifitbeso,ifIhavebeenmisledbysucherrortoinflictpainonher,yourresentmenthasnotbeenunreasonable.ButIshallnotscrupletoassert,thattheserenityofyoursister’scountenanceandairwassuchasmighthavegiventhemostacuteobserveraconvictionthat,howeveramiablehertem-per,herheartwasnotlikelytobeeasilytouched.ThatIwasdesirousofbelievingherindifferentiscertain—butIwillventuretosaythatmyinvestigationanddecisionsare

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notusuallyinfluencedbymyhopesorfears.Ididnotbelievehertobeindifferentbe-causeIwishedit;Ibelieveditonimpartialconviction,astrulyasIwisheditinreason.MyobjectionstothemarriagewerenotmerelythosewhichIlastnightacknowledgedtohavetheutmostforceofpassiontoputaside,inmyowncase;thewantofconnec-tioncouldnotbesogreataneviltomyfriendastome.Buttherewereothercausesofrepugnance;causeswhich,thoughstillexisting,andexistingtoanequaldegreeinbothinstances,Ihadmyselfendeavouredtoforget,becausetheywerenotimmediatelybe-foreme.Thesecausesmustbestated, thoughbriefly.Thesituationofyourmother’sfamily,thoughobjectionable,wasnothingincomparisontothattotalwantofproprietysofrequently,soalmostuniformlybetrayedbyherself,byyourthreeyoungersisters,andoccasionallyevenbyyourfather.Pardonme.Itpainsmetooffendyou.Butamidstyourconcernforthedefectsofyournearestrelations,andyourdispleasureatthisrep-resentation of them, let it give you consolation to consider that, to have conductedyourselvessoastoavoidanyshareofthelikecensure,ispraisenolessgenerallybe-stowedonyouandyoureldersister,thanitishonourabletothesenseanddispositionofboth.Iwillonlysayfartherthatfromwhatpassedthatevening,myopinionofallpartieswasconfirmed,andeveryinducementheightenedwhichcouldhaveledmebe-fore,topreservemyfriendfromwhatIesteemedamostunhappyconnection.HeleftNetherfieldforLondon,onthedayfollowing,asyou,Iamcertain,remember,withthedesignofsoonreturning.“The partwhich I acted is now to be explained.His sisters’ uneasiness had been

equally excitedwithmy own; our coincidence of feelingwas soon discovered, and,alikesensiblethatnotimewastobelostindetachingtheirbrother,weshortlyresolvedonjoininghimdirectlyinLondon.Weaccordinglywent—andthereIreadilyengagedintheofficeofpointingouttomyfriendthecertainevilsofsuchachoice.Idescribed,andenforcedthemearnestly.But,howeverthisremonstrancemighthavestaggeredordelayedhisdetermination,Idonotsupposethatitwouldultimatelyhavepreventedthemarriage,haditnotbeensecondedbytheassurancethatIhesitatednot ingiving,ofyoursister’sindifference.Hehadbeforebelievedhertoreturnhisaffectionwithsin-cere,ifnotwithequalregard.ButBingleyhasgreatnaturalmodesty,withastrongerdependenceonmyjudgementthanonhisown.Toconvincehim,therefore,thathehaddeceivedhimself,wasnoverydifficultpoint.TopersuadehimagainstreturningintoHertfordshire,when thatconvictionhadbeengiven,wasscarcely theworkofamo-ment.Icannotblamemyselfforhavingdonethusmuch.ThereisbutonepartofmyconductinthewholeaffaironwhichIdonotreflectwithsatisfaction;itisthatIcon-descended to adopt themeasures of art so far as to conceal from him your sister’sbeingintown.Iknewitmyself,asitwasknowntoMissBingley;butherbrotherisevenyet ignorantof it.That theymighthavemetwithout illconsequence isperhapsprobable;buthisregarddidnotappeartomeenoughextinguishedforhimtoseeherwithout some danger. Perhaps this concealment, this disguisewas beneathme; it is

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done,however,and itwasdone for thebest.On this subject Ihavenothingmore tosay,nootherapologytooffer.IfIhavewoundedyoursister’sfeelings,itwasunknow-inglydoneandthoughthemotiveswhichgovernedmemaytoyouverynaturallyap-pearinsufficient,Ihavenotyetlearnttocondemnthem.“Withrespecttothatother,moreweightyaccusation,ofhavinginjuredMr.Wick-

ham, I canonly refute it by layingbeforeyou thewholeofhis connectionwithmyfamily.OfwhathehasparticularlyaccusedmeIamignorant;butofthetruthofwhatIshallrelate,Icansummonmorethanonewitnessofundoubtedveracity.“Mr.Wickham is the sonof avery respectableman,whohad formanyyears the

managementofallthePemberleyestates,andwhosegoodconductinthedischargeofhistrustnaturallyinclinedmyfathertobeofservicetohim;andonGeorgeWickham,whowas his godson, his kindnesswas therefore liberally bestowed.My father sup-portedhimatschool,andafterwardsatCambridge—mostimportantassistance,ashisownfather,alwayspoorfromtheextravaganceofhiswife,wouldhavebeenunabletogivehimagentleman’seducation.Myfatherwasnotonlyfondof thisyoungman’ssociety,whosemannerswerealwaysengaging;hehadalsothehighestopinionofhim,andhopingthechurchwouldbehisprofession, intendedtoprovideforhiminit.Asformyself,itismany,manyyearssinceIfirstbegantothinkofhiminaverydifferentmanner. The vicious propensities—the want of principle, which he was careful toguard from the knowledge of his best friend, could not escape the observation of ayoungmanofnearlythesameagewithhimself,andwhohadopportunitiesofseeinghiminunguardedmoments,whichMr.Darcycouldnothave.HereagainIshallgiveyou pain—to what degree you only can tell. But whatever may be the sentimentswhichMr.Wickhamhascreated,asuspicionoftheirnatureshallnotpreventmefromunfoldinghisrealcharacter—itaddsevenanothermotive.“Myexcellentfatherdiedaboutfiveyearsago;andhisattachmenttoMr.Wickham

wastothelastsosteady,thatinhiswillheparticularlyrecommendedittome,topro-motehisadvancement in thebestmanner thathisprofessionmightallow—andifhetookorders,desiredthatavaluablefamilylivingmightbehisassoonasitbecameva-cant.Therewasalsoalegacyofonethousandpounds.Hisownfatherdidnotlongsur-vivemine,andwithinhalfayearfromtheseevents,Mr.Wickhamwrotetoinformmethat,havingfinallyresolvedagainsttakingorders,hehopedIshouldnotthinkitunrea-sonable for him to expect somemore immediatepecuniary advantage, in lieuof thepreferment,bywhichhecouldnotbebenefited.Hehadsomeintention,headded,ofstudyinglaw,andImustbeawarethattheinterestofonethousandpoundswouldbeaveryinsufficientsupporttherein.Iratherwished,thanbelievedhimtobesincere;but,atanyrate,wasperfectly ready toaccede tohisproposal. IknewthatMr.Wickhamoughtnottobeaclergyman;thebusinesswasthereforesoonsettled—heresignedallclaimtoassistanceinthechurch,wereitpossiblethathecouldeverbeinasituationto

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receive it, and accepted in return three thousandpounds.All connection betweenusseemednowdissolved.IthoughttooillofhimtoinvitehimtoPemberley,oradmithissocietyintown.IntownIbelievehechieflylived,buthisstudyingthelawwasamerepretence,andbeingnowfreefromallrestraint,hislifewasalifeofidlenessanddissi-pation.ForaboutthreeyearsIheardlittleofhim;butonthedeceaseoftheincumbentofthelivingwhichhadbeendesignedforhim,heappliedtomeagainbyletterforthepresentation.Hiscircumstances,heassuredme,andIhadnodifficultyinbelievingit,wereexceedinglybad.Hehadfoundthelawamostunprofitablestudy,andwasnowabsolutelyresolvedonbeingordained,ifIwouldpresenthimtothelivinginquestion—ofwhichhetrustedtherecouldbelittledoubt,ashewaswellassuredthatIhadnootherpersontoprovidefor,andIcouldnothaveforgottenmyreveredfather’sinten-tions.Youwillhardlyblamemeforrefusingtocomplywiththisentreaty,orforresist-ingevery repetition to it.His resentmentwas inproportion to thedistressofhiscir-cumstances—andhewasdoubtlessasviolentinhisabuseofmetoothersasinhisre-proachestomyself.Afterthisperiodeveryappearanceofacquaintancewasdropped.Howhe livedIknownot.But lastsummerhewasagainmostpainfullyobtrudedonmynotice.“I must now mention a circumstance which I would wish to forget myself, and

whichnoobligation less than thepresent should induceme to unfold to anyhumanbeing.Havingsaidthusmuch,Ifeelnodoubtofyoursecrecy.Mysister,whoismorethantenyearsmyjunior,waslefttotheguardianshipofmymother’snephew,ColonelFitzwilliam,andmyself.Aboutayearago,shewastakenfromschool,andanestab-lishment formed for her in London; and last summer she went with the lady whopresidedoverit,toRamsgate;andthitheralsowentMr.Wickham,undoubtedlybyde-sign; for there proved to have been a prior acquaintance between him and Mrs.Younge,inwhosecharacterweweremostunhappilydeceived;andbyherconnivanceand aid, he so far recommended himself to Georgiana, whose affectionate heart re-tainedastrongimpressionofhiskindnesstoherasachild,thatshewaspersuadedtobelieveherselfinlove,andtoconsenttoanelopement.Shewasthenbutfifteen,whichmustbeherexcuse;andafterstatingherimprudence,Iamhappytoadd,thatIowedtheknowledgeofittoherself.Ijoinedthemunexpectedlyadayortwobeforethein-tendedelopement,andthenGeorgiana,unabletosupporttheideaofgrievingandof-fendingabrotherwhomshealmostlookeduptoasafather,acknowledgedthewholetome.YoumayimaginewhatIfeltandhowIacted.Regardformysister’screditandfeelings prevented any public exposure; but I wrote toMr.Wickham, who left theplace immediately, andMrs. Younge was of course removed from her charge.Mr.Wickham’schiefobjectwasunquestionablymysister’sfortune,whichisthirtythou-sandpounds; but I cannothelp supposing that thehopeof revenginghimself onmewasastronginducement.Hisrevengewouldhavebeencompleteindeed.

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“This,madam, is a faithful narrative of every event inwhichwe have been con-cernedtogether;andifyoudonotabsolutelyrejectitasfalse,youwill,Ihope,acquitme henceforth of cruelty towardsMr.Wickham. I knownot inwhatmanner, underwhat formof falsehoodhehad imposedonyou;buthissuccess isnotperhaps tobewonderedat.Ignorantasyoupreviouslywereofeverythingconcerningeither,detec-tioncouldnotbeinyourpower,andsuspicioncertainlynotinyourinclination.“Youmaypossiblywonderwhyall thiswasnot toldyou lastnight;but Iwasnot

thenmaster enough ofmyself to knowwhat could or ought to be revealed. For thetruth of everything here related, I can appeal more particularly to the testimony ofColonelFitzwilliam,who,fromournearrelationshipandconstantintimacy,and,stillmore, as one of the executors ofmy father’swill, has been unavoidably acquaintedwitheveryparticularofthesetransactions.Ifyourabhorrenceofmeshouldmakemyassertionsvalueless,youcannotbepreventedbythesamecausefromconfidinginmycousin; and that theremaybe thepossibilityof consultinghim, I shall endeavour tofindsomeopportunityofputtingthisletterinyourhandsinthecourseofthemorning.Iwillonlyadd,Godblessyou.“FITZWILLIAMDARCY”

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IfElizabeth,whenMr.Darcygaveher the letter,didnotexpect it tocontainare-newalofhisoffers,shehadformednoexpectationatallof itscontents.Butsuchastheywere, itmaywellbesupposedhoweagerlyshewent through them,andwhatacontrarietyofemotion theyexcited.Her feelingsasshereadwerescarcely tobede-fined.Withamazementdidshefirstunderstandthathebelievedanyapologytobeinhis power; and steadfastlywas she persuaded, that he could have no explanation togive,whichajustsenseofshamewouldnotconceal.Withastrongprejudiceagainsteverythinghemightsay,shebeganhisaccountofwhathadhappenedatNetherfield.Shereadwithaneagernesswhichhardly leftherpowerofcomprehension,andfromimpatienceofknowingwhatthenextsentencemightbring,wasincapableofattendingto thesenseof theonebeforehereyes.Hisbeliefofhersister’s insensibilityshe in-stantly resolved to be false; and his account of the real, theworst objections to thematch,madehertooangrytohaveanywishofdoinghimjustice.Heexpressednore-gretforwhathehaddonewhichsatisfiedher;hisstylewasnotpenitent,buthaughty.Itwasallprideandinsolence.Butwhen this subjectwas succeededbyhis accountofMr.Wickham—when she

readwith somewhat clearer attention a relation of eventswhich, if true,must over-throweverycherishedopinionofhisworth,andwhichboresoalarminganaffinitytohisownhistoryofhimself—herfeelingswereyetmoreacutelypainfulandmorediffi-cult of definition.Astonishment, apprehension, and even horror, oppressed her. Shewishedtodiscredititentirely,repeatedlyexclaiming,“Thismustbefalse!Thiscannotbe!Thismustbethegrossestfalsehood!”—andwhenshehadgonethroughthewholeletter, thoughscarcelyknowinganythingof the lastpageor two,put ithastilyaway,protestingthatshewouldnotregardit,thatshewouldneverlookinitagain.Inthisperturbedstateofmind,withthoughtsthatcouldrestonnothing,shewalked

on;butitwouldnotdo;inhalfaminutetheletterwasunfoldedagain,andcollectingherselfaswellasshecould,sheagainbeganthemortifyingperusalofallthatrelatedtoWickham,andcommandedherselfsofarastoexaminethemeaningofeverysen-tence.TheaccountofhisconnectionwiththePemberleyfamilywasexactlywhathehadrelatedhimself;andthekindnessofthelateMr.Darcy,thoughshehadnotbeforeknown its extent, agreed equallywell with his ownwords. So far each recital con-

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firmedtheother;butwhenshecametothewill,thedifferencewasgreat.WhatWick-ham had said of the living was fresh in her memory, and as she recalled his verywords, itwasimpossiblenot tofeel that therewasgrossduplicityononesideor theother; and, for a fewmoments, she flattered herself that herwishes did not err.Butwhenshereadandre-readwith theclosestattention, theparticulars immediatelyfol-lowingofWickham’sresigningallpretensionstotheliving,ofhisreceivinginlieusoconsiderableasumasthreethousandpounds,againwassheforcedtohesitate.Sheputdowntheletter,weighedeverycircumstancewithwhatshemeanttobeimpartiality—deliberatedontheprobabilityofeachstatement—butwithlittlesuccess.Onbothsidesitwasonlyassertion.Againshereadon;buteverylineprovedmoreclearlythattheaf-fair,whichshehadbelieveditimpossiblethatanycontrivancecouldsorepresentastorenderMr.Darcy’sconductinitlessthaninfamous,wascapableofaturnwhichmustmakehimentirelyblamelessthroughoutthewhole.TheextravaganceandgeneralprofligacywhichhescruplednottolayatMr.Wick-

ham’scharge,exceedinglyshockedher;themoreso,asshecouldbringnoproofofitsinjustice.Shehadneverheardofhimbeforehisentranceintothe——shireMilitia,inwhichhehadengagedatthepersuasionoftheyoungmanwho,onmeetinghimacci-dentally in town,had there renewedaslightacquaintance.Ofhis formerwayof lifenothinghadbeenknowninHertfordshirebutwhathetoldhimself.Astohisrealchar-acter,hadinformationbeeninherpower,shehadneverfeltawishof inquiring.Hiscountenance,voice,andmannerhadestablishedhimatonceinthepossessionofeveryvirtue.Shetriedtorecollectsomeinstanceofgoodness,somedistinguishedtraitofin-tegrityorbenevolence,thatmightrescuehimfromtheattacksofMr.Darcy;oratleast,bythepredominanceofvirtue,atoneforthosecasualerrorsunderwhichshewoulden-deavourtoclasswhatMr.Darcyhaddescribedastheidlenessandviceofmanyyears’continuance.Butnosuchrecollectionbefriendedher.Shecouldseehiminstantlybe-foreher,ineverycharmofairandaddress;butshecouldremembernomoresubstan-tialgoodthanthegeneralapprobationoftheneighbourhood,andtheregardwhichhissocialpowershadgainedhiminthemess.Afterpausingonthispointaconsiderablewhile,sheoncemorecontinuedtoread.But,alas!thestorywhichfollowed,ofhisde-signs on Miss Darcy, received some confirmation from what had passed betweenColonelFitzwilliamandherselfonlythemorningbefore;andatlastshewasreferredforthetruthofeveryparticulartoColonelFitzwilliamhimself—fromwhomshehadpreviouslyreceivedtheinformationofhisnearconcerninallhiscousin’saffairs,andwhosecharactershehadnoreasontoquestion.Atonetimeshehadalmostresolvedonapplyingtohim,buttheideawascheckedbytheawkwardnessoftheapplication,andatlengthwhollybanishedbytheconvictionthatMr.Darcywouldneverhavehazardedsuchaproposal,ifhehadnotbeenwellassuredofhiscousin’scorroboration.She perfectly remembered everything that had passed in conversation between

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Wickhamandherself,intheirfirsteveningatMr.Phillips’s.Manyofhisexpressionswerestillfreshinhermemory.Shewasnowstruckwiththeimproprietyofsuchcom-municationstoastranger,andwonderedithadescapedherbefore.Shesawtheindeli-cacyofputtinghimself forwardashehaddone,and the inconsistencyofhisprofes-sionswithhisconduct.Sherememberedthathehadboastedofhavingnofearofsee-ingMr.Darcy—thatMr.Darcymightleavethecountry,butthathe shouldstandhisground;yethehadavoidedtheNetherfieldballtheverynextweek.Sherememberedalsothat,tilltheNetherfieldfamilyhadquittedthecountry,hehadtoldhisstorytonoonebutherself;butthataftertheirremovalithadbeeneverywherediscussed;thathehadthennoreserves,noscruplesinsinkingMr.Darcy’scharacter,thoughhehadas-suredherthatrespectforthefatherwouldalwayspreventhisexposingtheson.Howdifferentlydideverythingnowappearinwhichhewasconcerned!Hisatten-

tionstoMissKingwerenowtheconsequenceofviewssolelyandhatefullymercenary;andthemediocrityofherfortuneprovednolongerthemoderationofhiswishes,buthiseagernesstograspatanything.Hisbehaviourtoherselfcouldnowhavehadnotol-erablemotive;hehadeitherbeendeceivedwithregardtoherfortune,orhadbeengrat-ifyinghisvanitybyencouraging thepreferencewhichshebelievedshehadmost in-cautiouslyshown.Everylingeringstruggleinhisfavourgrewfainterandfainter;andinfarther justificationofMr.Darcy,shecouldnotbutallowthatMr.Bingley,whenquestionedbyJane,had longagoassertedhisblamelessness in theaffair; thatproudandrepulsiveaswerehismanners,shehadnever,inthewholecourseoftheiracquain-tance—anacquaintancewhichhadlatterlybroughtthemmuchtogether,andgivenherasortofintimacywithhisways—seenanythingthatbetrayedhimtobeunprincipledor unjust—anything that spoke himof irreligious or immoral habits; that among hisownconnectionshewasesteemedandvalued—thatevenWickhamhadallowedhimmeritasabrother,andthatshehadoftenheardhimspeaksoaffectionatelyofhissisterastoprovehimcapableofsomeamiablefeeling; thathadhisactionsbeenwhatMr.Wickhamrepresentedthem,sogrossaviolationofeverythingrightcouldhardlyhavebeenconcealedfromtheworld;andthatfriendshipbetweenapersoncapableofit,andsuchanamiablemanasMr.Bingley,wasincomprehensible.Shegrewabsolutelyashamedofherself.OfneitherDarcynorWickhamcouldshe

thinkwithoutfeelingshehadbeenblind,partial,prejudiced,absurd.“HowdespicablyIhaveacted!”shecried;“I,whohavepridedmyselfonmydis-

cernment! I,whohavevaluedmyself onmyabilities!whohaveoftendisdained thegenerouscandourofmysister, andgratifiedmyvanity inuselessorblameablemis-trust!Howhumiliating is thisdiscovery!Yet,how just ahumiliation!Had Ibeen inlove,Icouldnothavebeenmorewretchedlyblind!Butvanity,notlove,hasbeenmyfolly.Pleasedwiththepreferenceofone,andoffendedbytheneglectoftheother,ontheverybeginningofouracquaintance, Ihavecourtedprepossessionand ignorance,

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anddrivenreasonaway,whereeitherwereconcerned.TillthismomentIneverknewmyself.”FromherselftoJane—fromJanetoBingley,herthoughtswereinalinewhichsoon

broughttoherrecollectionthatMr.Darcy’sexplanationtherehadappearedveryinsuf-ficient,andshereaditagain.Widelydifferentwastheeffectofasecondperusal.Howcouldshedenythatcredittohisassertionsinoneinstance,whichshehadbeenobligedtogiveintheother?Hedeclaredhimselftobetotallyunsuspiciousofhersister’sat-tachment; and shecouldnothelp rememberingwhatCharlotte’sopinionhadalwaysbeen.NeithercouldshedenythejusticeofhisdescriptionofJane.ShefeltthatJane’sfeelings, though fervent,were littledisplayed,and that therewasaconstantcompla-cencyinherairandmannernotoftenunitedwithgreatsensibility.When she came to that part of the letter in which her family werementioned in

termsof suchmortifying,yetmerited reproach,her senseof shamewas severe.Thejusticeofthechargestruckhertooforciblyfordenial,andthecircumstancestowhichheparticularlyalludedashavingpassedattheNetherfieldball,andasconfirmingallhisfirstdisapprobation,couldnothavemadeastrongerimpressiononhismindthanonhers.Thecomplimenttoherselfandhersisterwasnotunfelt.Itsoothed,butitcouldnot

consoleherforthecontemptwhichhadthusbeenself-attractedbytherestofherfam-ily;andassheconsideredthatJane’sdisappointmenthadinfactbeentheworkofhernearestrelations,andreflectedhowmateriallythecreditofbothmustbehurtbysuchimproprietyof conduct, she felt depressedbeyondanything shehadeverknownbe-fore.Afterwanderingalongthelanefortwohours,givingwaytoeveryvarietyofthought

—re-consideringevents,determiningprobabilities,andreconcilingherself,aswellasshecould, toachangesosuddenandso important, fatigue,andarecollectionofherlongabsence,madeheratlengthreturnhome;andsheenteredthehousewiththewishofappearingcheerfulasusual,andtheresolutionofrepressingsuchreflectionsasmustmakeherunfitforconversation.ShewasimmediatelytoldthatthetwogentlemenfromRosingshadeachcalleddur-

ingherabsence;Mr.Darcy,only fora fewminutes, to take leave—but thatColonelFitzwilliamhadbeensittingwiththematleastanhour,hopingforherreturn,andal-mostresolvingtowalkafterhertillshecouldbefound.Elizabethcouldbutjustaffectconcerninmissinghim;shereallyrejoicedatit.ColonelFitzwilliamwasnolongeranobject;shecouldthinkonlyofherletter.

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Chapter37

ThetwogentlemenleftRosingsthenextmorning,andMr.Collinshavingbeeninwaitingnearthelodges,tomakethemhispartingobeisance,wasabletobringhomethe pleasing intelligence, of their appearing in very good health, and in as tolerablespiritsascouldbeexpected,afterthemelancholyscenesolatelygonethroughatRos-ings.ToRosingshethenhastened,toconsoleLadyCatherineandherdaughter;andonhisreturnbroughtback,withgreatsatisfaction,amessagefromherladyship,import-ingthatshefeltherselfsodullastomakeherverydesirousofhavingthemalltodinewithher.ElizabethcouldnotseeLadyCatherinewithoutrecollectingthat,hadshechosenit,

shemightby this timehavebeenpresented toherasher futureniece;norcouldshethink, without a smile, of what her ladyship’s indignationwould have been. “Whatwouldshehavesaid?howwouldshehavebehaved?”werequestionswithwhichsheamusedherself.Their firstsubjectwas thediminutionof theRosingsparty.“Iassureyou, I feel it

exceedingly,”saidLadyCatherine;“Ibelievenoonefeelsthelossoffriendssomuchas Ido.But Iamparticularlyattached to theseyoungmen,andknow themtobesomuchattachedtome!Theywereexcessivelysorrytogo!Butsotheyalwaysare.ThedearColonel rallied his spirits tolerably till just at last; butDarcy seemed to feel itmost acutely, more, I think, than last year. His attachment to Rosings certainly in-creases.”Mr.Collinshadacompliment,andanallusiontothrowinhere,whichwerekindly

smiledonbythemotheranddaughter.LadyCatherineobserved,afterdinner,thatMissBennetseemedoutofspirits,and

immediatelyaccountingforitbyherself,bysupposingthatshedidnotliketogohomeagainsosoon,sheadded:“Butifthatisthecase,youmustwritetoyourmotherandbegthatyoumaystaya

littlelonger.Mrs.Collinswillbeverygladofyourcompany,Iamsure.”“I ammuch obliged to your ladyship for your kind invitation,” repliedElizabeth,

“butitisnotinmypowertoacceptit.ImustbeintownnextSaturday.”“Why,atthatrate,youwillhavebeenhereonlysixweeks.Iexpectedyoutostay

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twomonths.ItoldMrs.Collinssobeforeyoucame.Therecanbenooccasionforyourgoingsosoon.Mrs.Bennetcouldcertainlyspareyouforanotherfortnight.”“Butmyfathercannot.Hewrotelastweektohurrymyreturn.”“Oh!yourfatherofcoursemayspareyou,ifyourmothercan.Daughtersarenever

ofsomuchconsequencetoafather.Andifyouwillstayanothermonthcomplete, itwillbeinmypowertotakeoneofyouasfarasLondon,forIamgoingthereearlyinJune, for aweek; andasDawsondoesnotobject to thebarouche-box, therewill beverygoodroomforoneofyou—andindeed,iftheweathershouldhappentobecool,Ishouldnotobjecttotakingyouboth,asyouareneitherofyoularge.”“Youareallkindness,madam;butIbelievewemustabidebyouroriginalplan.”LadyCatherineseemedresigned.“Mrs.Collins,youmustsendaservantwiththem.

YouknowIalwaysspeakmymind,andIcannotbeartheideaoftwoyoungwomentravellingpostbythemselves.Itishighlyimproper.Youmustcontrivetosendsome-body. I have the greatest dislike in the world to that sort of thing. Young womenshould always be properly guarded and attended, according to their situation in life.WhenmynieceGeorgianawenttoRamsgatelastsummer,Imadeapointofherhav-ingtwomen-servantsgowithher.MissDarcy,thedaughterofMr.Darcy,ofPember-ley,andLadyAnne,couldnothaveappearedwithpropriety inadifferentmanner. Iamexcessivelyattentivetoallthosethings.YoumustsendJohnwiththeyoungladies,Mrs.Collins.Iamgladitoccurredtometomentionit;foritwouldreallybediscred-itabletoyoutoletthemgoalone.”“Myuncleistosendaservantforus.”“Oh!Youruncle!Hekeepsaman-servant,doeshe?Iamverygladyouhavesome-

bodywho thinks of these things.Where shall you change horses?Oh!Bromley, ofcourse.IfyoumentionmynameattheBell,youwillbeattendedto.”LadyCatherinehadmanyotherquestionstoaskrespectingtheirjourney,andasshe

didnotanswerthemallherself,attentionwasnecessary,whichElizabethbelievedtobeluckyforher;or,withamindsooccupied,shemighthaveforgottenwhereshewas.Reflectionmustbereservedforsolitaryhours;whenevershewasalone,shegavewaytoitasthegreatestrelief;andnotadaywentbywithoutasolitarywalk,inwhichshemightindulgeinallthedelightofunpleasantrecollections.Mr.Darcy’slettershewasinafairwayofsoonknowingbyheart.Shestudiedevery

sentence;andherfeelingstowardsitswriterwereattimeswidelydifferent.Whensheremembered the style of his address, shewas still full of indignation; butwhen sheconsideredhowunjustlyshehadcondemnedandupbraidedhim,herangerwasturnedagainstherself;andhisdisappointedfeelingsbecametheobjectofcompassion.Hisat-tachment excited gratitude, his general character respect; but she could not approvehim;norcouldsheforamomentrepentherrefusal,orfeeltheslightestinclinationever

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toseehimagain.Inherownpastbehaviour, therewasaconstantsourceofvexationandregret;andintheunhappydefectsofherfamily,asubjectofyetheavierchagrin.Theywere hopeless of remedy.Her father, contentedwith laughing at them,wouldneverexerthimself to restrain thewildgiddinessofhisyoungestdaughters; andhermother,withmannerssofarfromrightherself,wasentirelyinsensibleoftheevil.Eliz-abeth had frequently united with Jane in an endeavour to check the imprudence ofCatherine and Lydia; but while they were supported by their mother’s indulgence,what chance could there be of improvement?Catherine,weak-spirited, irritable, andcompletely under Lydia’s guidance, had been always affronted by their advice; andLydia,self-willedandcareless,wouldscarcelygivethemahearing.Theywereigno-rant,idle,andvain.WhiletherewasanofficerinMeryton,theywouldflirtwithhim;andwhileMerytonwaswithinawalkofLongbourn, theywouldbegoing there for-ever.AnxietyonJane’sbehalfwasanotherprevailingconcern;andMr.Darcy’sexplana-

tion,byrestoringBingleytoallherformergoodopinion,heightenedthesenseofwhatJanehadlost.Hisaffectionwasprovedtohavebeensincere,andhisconductclearedofallblame,unlessanycouldattachtotheimplicitnessofhisconfidenceinhisfriend.Howgrievousthenwasthethoughtthat,ofasituationsodesirableineveryrespect,sorepletewith advantage, so promising for happiness, Jane had been deprived, by thefollyandindecorumofherownfamily!WhentotheserecollectionswasaddedthedevelopmentofWickham’scharacter,it

maybeeasilybelievedthatthehappyspiritswhichhadseldombeendepressedbefore,werenowsomuchaffectedastomakeitalmostimpossibleforhertoappeartolerablycheerful.TheirengagementsatRosingswereasfrequentduringthelastweekofherstayas

theyhadbeenatfirst.Theverylasteveningwasspentthere;andherladyshipagainin-quiredminutelyintotheparticularsoftheirjourney,gavethemdirectionsastothebestmethodofpacking,andwassourgenton thenecessityofplacinggowns in theonlyrightway,thatMariathoughtherselfobliged,onherreturn,toundoalltheworkofthemorning,andpackhertrunkafresh.Whentheyparted,LadyCatherine,withgreatcondescension,wishedthemagood

journey,andinvitedthemtocometoHunsfordagainnextyear;andMissdeBourghexertedherselfsofarastocurtseyandholdoutherhandtoboth.

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Chapter38

OnSaturdaymorningElizabethandMr.Collinsmetforbreakfastafewminutesbe-fore theothersappeared;andhe took theopportunityofpaying thepartingcivilitieswhichhedeemedindispensablynecessary.“Iknownot,MissElizabeth,”saidhe,“whetherMrs.Collinshasyetexpressedher

senseofyourkindness incoming tous;but Iamverycertainyouwillnot leave thehousewithoutreceivingherthanksforit.Thefavourofyourcompanyhasbeenmuchfelt,Iassureyou.Weknowhowlittlethereistotemptanyonetoourhumbleabode.Ourplainmannerofliving,oursmallroomsandfewdomestics,andthelittleweseeoftheworld,mustmakeHunsford extremely dull to a young lady like yourself; but Ihopeyouwillbelieveusgratefulforthecondescension,andthatwehavedoneevery-thinginourpowertopreventyourspendingyourtimeunpleasantly.”Elizabethwaseagerwithherthanksandassurancesofhappiness.Shehadspentsix

weekswithgreatenjoyment;andthepleasureofbeingwithCharlotte,andthekindat-tentionsshehadreceived,mustmakeher feel theobliged.Mr.Collinswasgratified,andwithamoresmilingsolemnityreplied:“Itgivesmegreatpleasuretohearthatyouhavepassedyourtimenotdisagreeably.

Wehavecertainlydoneourbest;andmostfortunatelyhavingitinourpowertointro-duceyoutoverysuperiorsociety,and,fromourconnectionwithRosings,thefrequentmeansofvarying thehumblehomescene, I thinkwemayflatterourselves thatyourHunsfordvisit cannothavebeenentirely irksome.Our situationwith regard toLadyCatherine’s family is indeed the sort of extraordinary advantage and blessingwhichfewcanboast.Youseeonwhatafootingweare.Youseehowcontinuallyweareen-gagedthere.IntruthImustacknowledgethat,withallthedisadvantagesofthishum-bleparsonage,Ishouldnotthinkanyoneabidinginitanobjectofcompassion,whiletheyaresharersofourintimacyatRosings.”Wordswereinsufficientfortheelevationofhisfeelings;andhewasobligedtowalk

about the room,while Elizabeth tried to unite civility and truth in a few short sen-tences.“Youmay,infact,carryaveryfavourablereportofusintoHertfordshire,mydear

cousin.Iflattermyselfatleastthatyouwillbeabletodoso.LadyCatherine’sgreatat-

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tentionstoMrs.Collinsyouhavebeenadailywitnessof;andaltogetherItrustitdoesnotappear thatyour friendhasdrawnanunfortunate—buton thispoint itwillbeaswelltobesilent.Onlyletmeassureyou,mydearMissElizabeth,thatIcanfrommyheartmostcordiallywishyouequalfelicityinmarriage.MydearCharlotteandIhavebutonemindandonewayof thinking.There is ineverythingamost remarkablere-semblanceofcharacterandideasbetweenus.Weseemtohavebeendesignedforeachother.”Elizabethcouldsafelysaythatitwasagreathappinesswherethatwasthecase,and

withequal sincerity couldadd, that she firmlybelievedand rejoiced inhisdomesticcomforts.Shewasnot sorry,however, tohave the recitalof them interruptedby theladyfromwhomtheysprang.PoorCharlotte!itwasmelancholytoleavehertosuchsociety!Butshehadchosenitwithhereyesopen;andthoughevidentlyregrettingthather visitorswere to go, she did not seem to ask for compassion.Her home and herhousekeeping,herparishandherpoultry,andalltheirdependentconcerns,hadnotyetlosttheircharms.Atlengththechaisearrived,thetrunkswerefastenedon,theparcelsplacedwithin,

anditwaspronouncedtobeready.Afteranaffectionatepartingbetweenthefriends,Elizabethwasattended to thecarriagebyMr.Collins, andas theywalkeddown thegardenhewascommissioningherwithhisbestrespectstoallherfamily,notforget-tinghis thanks for thekindnesshehad receivedatLongbourn in thewinter, andhiscomplimentstoMr.andMrs.Gardiner,thoughunknown.Hethenhandedherin,Mariafollowed,andthedoorwasonthepointofbeingclosed,whenhesuddenlyremindedthem,withsomeconsternation, that theyhadhithertoforgottentoleaveanymessagefortheladiesatRosings.“But,”headded,“youwillofcoursewishtohaveyourhumblerespectsdeliveredto

them,withyourgratefulthanksfortheirkindnesstoyouwhileyouhavebeenhere.”Elizabethmadenoobjection;thedoorwasthenallowedtobeshut,andthecarriage

droveoff.“Goodgracious!”criedMaria,afterafewminutes’silence,“itseemsbutadayor

twosincewefirstcame!andyethowmanythingshavehappened!”“Agreatmanyindeed,”saidhercompanionwithasigh.“WehavedinedninetimesatRosings,besidesdrinkingteatheretwice!Howmuch

Ishallhavetotell!”Elizabethaddedprivately,“AndhowmuchIshallhavetoconceal!”Theirjourneywasperformedwithoutmuchconversation,oranyalarm;andwithin

fourhoursof their leavingHunsford they reachedMr.Gardiner’shouse,where theyweretoremainafewdays.Janelookedwell,andElizabethhadlittleopportunityofstudyingherspirits,amidst

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the various engagementswhich the kindness of her aunt had reserved for them.ButJanewastogohomewithher,andatLongbourntherewouldbeleisureenoughforob-servation.Itwasnotwithoutaneffort,meanwhile,thatshecouldwaitevenforLongbourn,be-

foreshetoldhersisterofMr.Darcy’sproposals.Toknowthatshehadthepowerofre-vealing what would so exceedingly astonish Jane, and must, at the same time, sohighlygratifywhateverofherownvanityshehadnotyetbeenable toreasonaway,wassuchatemptationtoopennessasnothingcouldhaveconqueredbutthestateofin-decisioninwhichsheremainedastotheextentofwhatsheshouldcommunicate;andherfear,ifsheonceenteredonthesubject,ofbeinghurriedintorepeatingsomethingofBingleywhichmightonlygrievehersisterfurther.

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Chapter39

Itwas the secondweek inMay, inwhich the three young ladies set out togetherfromGracechurchStreetforthetownof——,inHertfordshire;and,astheydrewnearthe appointed innwhereMr.Bennet’s carriagewas tomeet them, they quickly per-ceived,intokenofthecoachman’spunctuality,bothKittyandLydialookingoutofadining-roomup stairs.These twogirlshadbeenaboveanhour in theplace,happilyemployedinvisitinganoppositemilliner,watchingthesentinelonguard,anddressingasaladandcucumber.Afterwelcomingtheirsisters,theytriumphantlydisplayedatablesetoutwithsuch

coldmeatasaninnlarderusuallyaffords,exclaiming,“Isnotthisnice?Isnotthisanagreeablesurprise?”“Andwemeantotreatyouall,”addedLydia,“butyoumustlendusthemoney,for

wehavejustspentoursat theshopout there.”Then,showingherpurchases—“Lookhere,Ihaveboughtthisbonnet.Idonotthinkitisverypretty;butIthoughtImightaswellbuyitasnot.IshallpullittopiecesassoonasIgethome,andseeifIcanmakeitupanybetter.”Andwhenhersistersabuseditasugly,sheadded,withperfectunconcern,“Oh!but

thereweretwoorthreemuchuglierintheshop;andwhenIhaveboughtsomeprettier-colouredsatintotrimitwithfresh,Ithinkitwillbeverytolerable.Besides,itwillnotmuchsignifywhatonewearsthissummer,afterthe——shirehaveleftMeryton,andtheyaregoinginafortnight.”“Aretheyindeed!”criedElizabeth,withthegreatestsatisfaction.“TheyaregoingtobeencampednearBrighton;andIdosowantpapatotakeusall

there for the summer! It would be such a delicious scheme; and I dare say wouldhardlycostanythingatall.Mammawouldliketogotooofallthings!Onlythinkwhatamiserablesummerelseweshallhave!”“Yes,” thought Elizabeth, “that would be a delightful scheme indeed, and com-

pletelydoforusatonce.GoodHeaven!Brighton,andawholecampfulofsoldiers,tous,whohavebeenoversetalreadybyonepoor regimentofmilitia,and themonthlyballsofMeryton!”“NowIhavegotsomenewsforyou,”saidLydia,astheysatdownattable.“What

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doyou think? It isexcellentnews—capitalnews—andaboutacertainpersonwealllike!”JaneandElizabeth lookedateachother,andthewaiterwas toldheneednotstay.

Lydialaughed,andsaid:“Aye,thatisjustlikeyourformalityanddiscretion.Youthoughtthewaitermustnot

hear,asifhecared!IdaresayheoftenhearsworsethingssaidthanIamgoingtosay.Butheisanuglyfellow!Iamgladheisgone.Ineversawsuchalongchininmylife.Well,butnowformynews; it isaboutdearWickham; toogoodfor thewaiter, is itnot?There isnodangerofWickham’smarryingMaryKing.There’sforyou!SheisgonedowntoheruncleatLiverpool:gonetostay.Wickhamissafe.”“AndMaryKingissafe!”addedElizabeth;“safefromaconnectionimprudentasto

fortune.”“Sheisagreatfoolforgoingaway,ifshelikedhim.”“ButIhopethereisnostrongattachmentoneitherside,”saidJane.“Iamsurethereisnotonhis.Iwillanswerforit,henevercaredthreestrawsabout

her—whocouldaboutsuchanastylittlefreckledthing?”Elizabethwas shocked to think that, however incapable of such coarseness ofex-

pressionherself, thecoarsenessof thesentimentwas littleother thanherownbreasthadharbouredandfanciedliberal!Assoonasallhadate,andtheelderonespaid,thecarriagewasordered;andafter

somecontrivance, thewholeparty,withall theirboxes,work-bags, andparcels, andtheunwelcomeadditionofKitty’sandLydia’spurchases,wereseatedinit.“Hownicelyweareallcrammedin,”criedLydia.“IamgladIboughtmybonnet,if

itisonlyforthefunofhavinganotherbandbox!Well,nowletusbequitecomfortableandsnug,andtalkandlaughallthewayhome.Andinthefirstplace,letushearwhathashappenedtoyouallsinceyouwentaway.Haveyouseenanypleasantmen?Haveyouhadanyflirting?Iwasingreathopesthatoneofyouwouldhavegotahusbandbeforeyoucameback. Janewillbequiteanoldmaidsoon, Ideclare.She isalmostthree-and-twenty!Lord,howashamedIshouldbeofnotbeingmarriedbefore three-and-twenty!MyauntPhillipswantsyousotogethusbands,youcan’tthink.ShesaysLizzyhadbetterhavetakenMr.Collins;butIdonotthinktherewouldhavebeenanyfunin it.Lord!howIshouldliketobemarriedbeforeanyofyou;andthenIwouldchaperon you about to all the balls.Dearme!wehad such a goodpiece of fun theother day atColonel Forster’s.Kitty andmewere to spend the day there, andMrs.Forsterpromisedtohavealittledanceintheevening;(bythebye,Mrs.Forsterandmearesuch friends!)andsosheaskedthe twoHarringtons tocome,butHarrietwas ill,andsoPenwasforced tocomebyherself;and then,whatdoyou thinkwedid?WedressedupChamberlayneinwoman’sclothesonpurposetopassforalady,onlythink

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whatfun!Notasoulknewofit,butColonelandMrs.Forster,andKittyandme,ex-ceptmyaunt,forwewereforcedtoborrowoneofhergowns;andyoucannotimaginehowwellhelooked!WhenDenny,andWickham,andPratt,andtwoorthreemoreofthemencamein,theydidnotknowhimintheleast.Lord!howIlaughed!andsodidMrs.Forster.IthoughtIshouldhavedied.Andthatmadethemensuspectsomething,andthentheysoonfoundoutwhatwasthematter.”Withsuchkindsofhistoriesoftheirpartiesandgoodjokes,didLydia,assistedby

Kitty’shintsandadditions,endeavourtoamusehercompanionsallthewaytoLong-bourn.Elizabethlistenedaslittleasshecould,buttherewasnoescapingthefrequentmentionofWickham’sname.Their receptionathomewasmostkind.Mrs.Bennet rejoiced toseeJane inundi-

minishedbeauty;andmorethanonceduringdinnerdidMr.BennetsayvoluntarilytoElizabeth:“Iamgladyouarecomeback,Lizzy.”Theirparty in thedining-roomwas large, foralmostall theLucasescametomeet

Maria and hear the news; and various were the subjects that occupied them: LadyLucaswas inquiring ofMaria, after thewelfare and poultry of her eldest daughter;Mrs.Bennetwas doubly engaged, on one hand collecting an account of the presentfashionsfromJane,whosatsomewaybelowher,and,ontheother,retailingthemallto theyoungerLucases;andLydia, inavoice rather louder thananyotherperson’s,wasenumeratingthevariouspleasuresofthemorningtoanybodywhowouldhearher.“Oh!Mary,”saidshe,“Iwishyouhadgonewithus, forwehadsuchfun!Aswe

went along,Kitty and I drew up the blinds, and pretended therewas nobody in thecoach;andIshouldhavegonesoalltheway,ifKittyhadnotbeensick;andwhenwegot to theGeorge, Ido thinkwebehavedveryhandsomely, forwe treated theotherthree with the nicest cold luncheon in the world, and if you would have gone, wewouldhavetreatedyoutoo.Andthenwhenwecameawayitwassuchfun!Ithoughtwenevershouldhavegotintothecoach.Iwasreadytodieoflaughter.Andthenweweresomerryallthewayhome!wetalkedandlaughedsoloud,thatanybodymighthaveheardustenmilesoff!”TothisMaryverygravelyreplied,“Farbeitfromme,mydearsister,todepreciate

such pleasures! They would doubtless be congenial with the generality of femaleminds.ButIconfesstheywouldhavenocharmsforme—Ishouldinfinitelypreferabook.”ButofthisanswerLydiaheardnotaword.Sheseldomlistenedtoanybodyformore

thanhalfaminute,andneverattendedtoMaryatall.IntheafternoonLydiawasurgentwiththerestofthegirlstowalktoMeryton,and

toseehoweverybodywenton;butElizabethsteadilyopposed thescheme.Itshould

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notbesaidthattheMissBennetscouldnotbeathomehalfadaybeforetheywereinpursuitof theofficers.Therewasanotherreasontooforheropposition.ShedreadedseeingMr.Wickhamagain,andwasresolvedtoavoiditaslongaspossible.Thecom-forttoheroftheregiment’sapproachingremovalwasindeedbeyondexpression.Inafortnighttheyweretogo—andoncegone,shehopedtherecouldbenothingmoretoplagueheronhisaccount.ShehadnotbeenmanyhoursathomebeforeshefoundthattheBrightonscheme,of

whichLydiahadgiventhemahintattheinn,wasunderfrequentdiscussionbetweenher parents. Elizabeth saw directly that her father had not the smallest intention ofyielding; but his answers were at the same time so vague and equivocal, that hermother,thoughoftendisheartened,hadneveryetdespairedofsucceedingatlast.

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Chapter40

Elizabeth’simpatiencetoacquaintJanewithwhathadhappenedcouldnolongerbeovercome;andatlength,resolvingtosuppresseveryparticularinwhichhersisterwasconcerned,andpreparingher tobesurprised,sherelatedtoher thenextmorningthechiefofthescenebetweenMr.Darcyandherself.Miss Bennet’s astonishment was soon lessened by the strong sisterly partiality

whichmadeanyadmirationofElizabethappearperfectlynatural;andallsurprisewasshortlylostinotherfeelings.ShewassorrythatMr.Darcyshouldhavedeliveredhissentiments in a manner so little suited to recommend them; but still more was shegrievedfortheunhappinesswhichhersister’srefusalmusthavegivenhim.“Hisbeingsosureofsucceedingwaswrong,”saidshe,“andcertainlyoughtnotto

haveappeared;butconsiderhowmuchitmustincreasehisdisappointment!”“Indeed,”repliedElizabeth,“Iamheartilysorryforhim;buthehasotherfeelings,

whichwillprobablysoondriveawayhisregardforme.Youdonotblameme,how-ever,forrefusinghim?”“Blameyou!Oh,no.”“ButyoublamemeforhavingspokensowarmlyofWickham?”“No—Idonotknowthatyouwerewronginsayingwhatyoudid.”“Butyouwillknowit,whenItellyouwhathappenedtheverynextday.”Shethenspokeoftheletter,repeatingthewholeofitscontentsasfarastheycon-

cernedGeorgeWickham.WhatastrokewasthisforpoorJane!whowouldwillinglyhavegonethroughtheworldwithoutbelievingthatsomuchwickednessexistedinthewholeraceofmankind,aswasherecollectedinoneindividual.NorwasDarcy’svin-dication,thoughgratefultoherfeelings,capableofconsolingherforsuchdiscovery.Mostearnestlydidshe labour toprove theprobabilityoferror,andseek toclear theonewithoutinvolvingtheother.“Thiswill not do,” saidElizabeth; “youneverwill be able tomake both of them

goodforanything.Takeyourchoice,butyoumustbesatisfiedwithonlyone.Thereisbutsuchaquantityofmeritbetweenthem;justenoughtomakeonegoodsortofman;andoflateithasbeenshiftingaboutprettymuch.Formypart,Iaminclinedtobelieve

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itallDarcy’s;butyoushalldoasyouchoose.”Itwassometime,however,beforeasmilecouldbeextortedfromJane.“IdonotknowwhenIhavebeenmoreshocked,”saidshe.“Wickhamsoverybad!

Itisalmostpastbelief.AndpoorMr.Darcy!DearLizzy,onlyconsiderwhathemusthavesuffered.Suchadisappointment!andwiththeknowledgeofyourillopinion,too!andhavingtorelatesuchathingofhissister!Itisreallytoodistressing.Iamsureyoumustfeelitso.”“Oh!no,myregretandcompassionarealldoneawaybyseeingyousofullofboth.

Iknowyouwilldohimsuchamplejustice,thatIamgrowingeverymomentmoreun-concernedand indifferent.Yourprofusionmakesmesaving;and ifyou lamentoverhimmuchlonger,myheartwillbeaslightasafeather.”“PoorWickham!thereissuchanexpressionofgoodnessinhiscountenance!such

anopennessandgentlenessinhismanner!”“There certainly was some great mismanagement in the education of those two

youngmen.Onehasgotallthegoodness,andtheotheralltheappearanceofit.”“IneverthoughtMr.Darcysodeficientintheappearanceofitasyouusedtodo.”“Andyet Imeant tobeuncommonlyclever in takingsodecidedadislike tohim,

withoutanyreason.Itissuchaspurtoone’sgenius,suchanopeningforwit,tohaveadislikeofthatkind.Onemaybecontinuallyabusivewithoutsayinganythingjust;butonecannotalwaysbelaughingatamanwithoutnowandthenstumblingonsomethingwitty.”“Lizzy,whenyoufirst read that letter, Iamsureyoucouldnot treat thematteras

youdonow.”“Indeed,Icouldnot.Iwasuncomfortableenough,Imaysayunhappy.Andwithno

onetospeaktoaboutwhatIfelt,noJanetocomfortmeandsaythatIhadnotbeensoveryweakandvainandnonsensicalasIknewIhad!Oh!howIwantedyou!”“Howunfortunatethatyoushouldhaveusedsuchverystrongexpressionsinspeak-

ingofWickhamtoMr.Darcy,fornowtheydoappearwhollyundeserved.”“Certainly.But themisfortuneofspeakingwithbitterness isamostnaturalconse-

quenceoftheprejudicesIhadbeenencouraging.ThereisonepointonwhichIwantyouradvice.IwanttobetoldwhetherIought,oroughtnot,tomakeouracquaintancesingeneralunderstandWickham’scharacter.”MissBennetpausedalittle,andthenreplied,“Surelytherecanbenooccasionfor

exposinghimsodreadfully.Whatisyouropinion?”“That it ought not to be attempted.Mr.Darcyhas not authorisedme tomakehis

communication public. On the contrary, every particular relative to his sister wasmeanttobekeptasmuchaspossibletomyself;andifIendeavourtoundeceivepeople

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astotherestofhisconduct,whowillbelieveme?ThegeneralprejudiceagainstMr.Darcyissoviolent,thatitwouldbethedeathofhalfthegoodpeopleinMerytontoat-tempt to place him in an amiable light. I amnot equal to it.Wickhamwill soonbegone; and therefore it will not signify to anyone herewhat he really is. Some timehenceitwillbeallfoundout,andthenwemaylaughattheirstupidityinnotknowingitbefore.AtpresentIwillsaynothingaboutit.”“Youarequiteright.Tohavehiserrorsmadepublicmightruinhimforever.Heis

now,perhaps,sorryforwhathehasdone,andanxioustore-establishacharacter.Wemustnotmakehimdesperate.”ThetumultofElizabeth’smindwasallayedbythisconversation.Shehadgotridof

twoofthesecretswhichhadweighedonherforafortnight,andwascertainofawill-inglistenerinJane,whenevershemightwishtotalkagainofeither.Buttherewasstillsomethinglurkingbehind,ofwhichprudenceforbadethedisclosure.Shedarednotre-latetheotherhalfofMr.Darcy’sletter,norexplaintohersisterhowsincerelyshehadbeenvaluedbyherfriend.Herewasknowledgeinwhichnoonecouldpartake;andshewassensible thatnothingless thanaperfectunderstandingbetweenthepartiescouldjustifyherinthrowingoffthislastencumbranceofmystery.“Andthen,”saidshe,“ifthatveryimprobableeventshouldevertakeplace,IshallmerelybeabletotellwhatBingleymaytellinamuchmoreagreeablemannerhimself.Thelibertyofcommunica-tioncannotbeminetillithaslostallitsvalue!”Shewasnow,onbeingsettledathome,atleisuretoobservetherealstateofhersis-

ter’sspirits.Janewasnothappy.ShestillcherishedaverytenderaffectionforBingley.Havingneverevenfanciedherselfinlovebefore,herregardhadallthewarmthoffirstattachment,and,fromherageanddisposition,greatersteadinessthanmostfirstattach-mentsoftenboast;andsoferventlydidshevaluehisremembrance,andpreferhimtoevery otherman, that all her good sense, and all her attention to the feelings of herfriends,wererequisitetochecktheindulgenceofthoseregretswhichmusthavebeeninjurioustoherownhealthandtheirtranquillity.“Well, Lizzy,” saidMrs. Bennet one day, “what is your opinion now of this sad

businessofJane’s?Formypart,Iamdeterminednevertospeakofitagaintoanybody.ItoldmysisterPhillipssotheotherday.ButIcannotfindoutthatJanesawanythingofhiminLondon.Well,heisaveryundeservingyoungman—andIdonotsupposethere’stheleastchanceintheworldofherevergettinghimnow.ThereisnotalkofhiscomingtoNetherfieldagaininthesummer;andIhaveinquiredofeverybody,too,whoislikelytoknow.”“IdonotbelievehewilleverliveatNetherfieldanymore.”“Ohwell!itisjustashechooses.Nobodywantshimtocome.ThoughIshallalways

sayheusedmydaughterextremelyill;andifIwasher,Iwouldnothaveputupwith

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it.Well,mycomfortis,IamsureJanewilldieofabrokenheart;andthenhewillbesorryforwhathehasdone.”ButasElizabethcouldnotreceivecomfortfromanysuchexpectation,shemadeno

answer.“Well, Lizzy,” continued hermother, soon afterwards, “and so the Collinses live

verycomfortable,dothey?Well,well,Ionlyhopeitwilllast.Andwhatsortoftabledotheykeep?Charlotteisanexcellentmanager,Idaresay.Ifsheishalfassharpashermother,sheissavingenough.Thereisnothingextravagantintheirhousekeeping,Idaresay.”“No,nothingatall.”“Agreatdealofgoodmanagement,dependuponit.Yes,yes.Theywilltakecarenot

tooutruntheirincome.Theywillneverbedistressedformoney.Well,muchgoodmayitdothem!Andso,Isuppose,theyoftentalkofhavingLongbournwhenyourfatherisdead.Theylookuponitasquitetheirown,Idaresay,wheneverthathappens.”“Itwasasubjectwhichtheycouldnotmentionbeforeme.”“No;itwouldhavebeenstrangeiftheyhad;butImakenodoubttheyoftentalkofit

betweenthemselves.Well,iftheycanbeeasywithanestatethatisnotlawfullytheirown,somuchthebetter.Ishouldbeashamedofhavingonethatwasonlyentailedonme.”

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Chapter41

Thefirstweekof theirreturnwassoongone.Thesecondbegan.Itwasthelastofthe regiment’s stay inMeryton, and all the young ladies in the neighbourhoodweredrooping apace. The dejection was almost universal. The elderMiss Bennets alonewere still able to eat, drink, and sleep, andpursue theusual courseof their employ-ments.VeryfrequentlyweretheyreproachedforthisinsensibilitybyKittyandLydia,whoseownmiserywasextreme,andwhocouldnotcomprehendsuchhard-heartednessinanyofthefamily.“GoodHeaven!whatistobecomeofus?Whatarewetodo?”wouldtheyoftenex-

claiminthebitternessofwoe.“Howcanyoubesmilingso,Lizzy?”Theiraffectionatemothersharedall theirgrief;sherememberedwhatshehadher-

selfenduredonasimilaroccasion,five-and-twentyyearsago.“Iamsure,”saidshe,“IcriedfortwodaystogetherwhenColonelMiller’sregiment

wentaway.IthoughtIshouldhavebrokenmyheart.”“IamsureIshallbreakmine,”saidLydia.“IfonecouldbutgotoBrighton!”observedMrs.Bennet.“Oh,yes!—ifonecouldbutgotoBrighton!Butpapaissodisagreeable.”“Alittlesea-bathingwouldsetmeupforever.”“AndmyauntPhillipsissureitwoulddomeagreatdealofgood,”addedKitty.Such were the kind of lamentations resounding perpetually through Longbourn

House. Elizabeth tried to be diverted by them; but all sense of pleasurewas lost inshame.ShefeltanewthejusticeofMr.Darcy’sobjections;andneverhadshebeensomuchdisposedtopardonhisinterferenceintheviewsofhisfriend.ButthegloomofLydia’sprospectwasshortlyclearedaway;forshereceivedanin-

vitationfromMrs.Forster,thewifeofthecoloneloftheregiment,toaccompanyhertoBrighton.Thisinvaluablefriendwasaveryyoungwoman,andverylatelymarried.AresemblanceingoodhumourandgoodspiritshadrecommendedherandLydiatoeachother,andoutoftheirthreemonths’acquaintancetheyhadbeenintimatetwo.TheraptureofLydiaonthisoccasion,heradorationofMrs.Forster,thedelightof

Mrs.Bennet,andthemortificationofKitty,arescarcelytobedescribed.Whollyinat-

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tentive tohersister’sfeelings,Lydiaflewabout thehouse inrestlessecstasy,callingforeveryone’scongratulations,andlaughingandtalkingwithmoreviolencethanever;whilstthelucklessKittycontinuedintheparlourrepinedatherfateintermsasunrea-sonableasheraccentwaspeevish.“I cannot see why Mrs. Forster should not askme as well as Lydia,” said she,

“ThoughIamnotherparticularfriend.Ihavejustasmuchrighttobeaskedasshehas,andmoretoo,forIamtwoyearsolder.”InvaindidElizabethattempttomakeherreasonable,andJanetomakeherresigned.

AsforElizabethherself,thisinvitationwassofarfromexcitinginherthesamefeel-ingsasinhermotherandLydia,thatsheconsidereditasthedeathwarrantofallpossi-bilityofcommonsenseforthelatter;anddetestableassuchastepmustmakeherwereitknown,shecouldnothelpsecretlyadvisingherfathernottolethergo.Sherepre-sented tohimall the improprietiesofLydia’sgeneralbehaviour, the little advantageshecouldderivefromthefriendshipofsuchawomanasMrs.Forster,andtheproba-bilityofherbeingyetmoreimprudentwithsuchacompanionatBrighton,wherethetemptationsmustbegreaterthanathome.Heheardherattentively,andthensaid:“Lydia will never be easy until she has exposed herself in some public place or

other,andwecanneverexpecthertodoitwithsolittleexpenseorinconveniencetoherfamilyasunderthepresentcircumstances.”“Ifyouwereaware,”saidElizabeth,“oftheverygreatdisadvantagetousallwhich

mustarisefromthepublicnoticeofLydia’sunguardedandimprudentmanner—nay,whichhasalreadyarisenfromit,Iamsureyouwouldjudgedifferentlyintheaffair.”“Already arisen?” repeatedMr. Bennet. “What, has she frightened away some of

yourlovers?PoorlittleLizzy!Butdonotbecastdown.Suchsqueamishyouthsascan-notbeartobeconnectedwithalittleabsurdityarenotwortharegret.Come,letmeseethelistofpitifulfellowswhohavebeenkeptaloofbyLydia’sfolly.”“Indeedyouaremistaken.Ihavenosuchinjuriestoresent.Itisnotofparticular,but

ofgeneralevils,which Iamnowcomplaining.Our importance,our respectability intheworldmustbeaffectedbythewildvolatility, theassuranceanddisdainofallre-straintwhichmarkLydia’scharacter.Excuseme,forImustspeakplainly.Ifyou,mydearfather,willnottakethetroubleofcheckingherexuberantspirits,andofteachingherthatherpresentpursuitsarenottobethebusinessofherlife,shewillsoonbebe-yondthereachofamendment.Hercharacterwillbefixed,andshewill,atsixteen,bethemostdeterminedflirtthatevermadeherselforherfamilyridiculous;aflirt,too,intheworstandmeanestdegreeofflirtation;withoutanyattractionbeyondyouthandatolerableperson;and,fromtheignoranceandemptinessofhermind,whollyunabletowardoffanyportionofthatuniversalcontemptwhichherrageforadmirationwillex-cite.InthisdangerKittyalsoiscomprehended.ShewillfollowwhereverLydialeads.

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Vain,ignorant,idle,andabsolutelyuncontrolled!Oh!mydearfather,canyousupposeitpossiblethattheywillnotbecensuredanddespisedwherevertheyareknown,andthattheirsisterswillnotbeofteninvolvedinthedisgrace?”Mr.Bennetsawthatherwholeheartwasinthesubject,andaffectionatelytakingher

handsaidinreply:“Do notmake yourself uneasy,my love.Wherever you and Jane are known you

mustberespectedandvalued;andyouwillnotappeartolessadvantageforhavingacoupleof—or Imay say, three—very silly sisters.We shall havenopeaceatLong-bournifLydiadoesnotgotoBrighton.Lethergo,then.ColonelForsterisasensibleman,andwillkeepheroutofanyrealmischief;andsheisluckilytoopoortobeanob-jectofpreytoanybody.AtBrightonshewillbeoflessimportanceevenasacommonflirtthanshehasbeenhere.Theofficerswillfindwomenbetterworththeirnotice.Letushope,therefore,thatherbeingtheremayteachherherowninsignificance.Atanyrate,shecannotgrowmanydegreesworse,withoutauthorisingus to lockherupfortherestofherlife.”WiththisanswerElizabethwasforcedtobecontent;butherownopinioncontinued

thesame,andshelefthimdisappointedandsorry.Itwasnotinhernature,however,toincreasehervexationsbydwellingon them.Shewasconfidentofhavingperformedherduty,andtofretoverunavoidableevils,oraugmentthembyanxiety,wasnopartofherdisposition.HadLydiaandhermotherknownthesubstanceofherconferencewithherfather,

their indignation would hardly have found expression in their united volubility. InLydia’simagination,avisit toBrightoncomprisedeverypossibilityofearthlyhappi-ness.Shesaw,withthecreativeeyeoffancy,thestreetsofthatgaybathing-placecov-eredwithofficers.Shesawherselftheobjectofattention,totensandtoscoresofthematpresentunknown.Shesawall thegloriesof thecamp—its tents stretched forth inbeauteousuniformityoflines,crowdedwiththeyoungandthegay,anddazzlingwithscarlet;and,tocompletetheview,shesawherselfseatedbeneathatent,tenderlyflirt-ingwithatleastsixofficersatonce.Hadsheknownhersistersoughttotearherfromsuchprospectsandsuchrealitiesas

these,whatwouldhavebeenhersensations?Theycouldhavebeenunderstoodonlybyhermother,whomighthave feltnearly the same.Lydia’sgoing toBrightonwasallthatconsoledherforhermelancholyconvictionofherhusband’sneverintendingtogotherehimself.But theywere entirely ignorant ofwhat had passed; and their raptures continued,

withlittleintermission,totheverydayofLydia’sleavinghome.ElizabethwasnowtoseeMr.Wickhamforthelasttime.Havingbeenfrequentlyin

companywith him sinceher return, agitationwasprettywell over; the agitations of

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formerpartialityentirelyso.Shehadevenlearnttodetect,intheverygentlenesswhichhadfirstdelightedher,anaffectationandasamenesstodisgustandweary.Inhispre-sentbehaviourtoherself,moreover,shehadafreshsourceofdispleasure,fortheincli-nationhesoontestifiedofrenewingthoseintentionswhichhadmarkedtheearlypartof their acquaintance could only serve, afterwhat had since passed, to provoke her.Shelostallconcernforhiminfindingherselfthusselectedastheobjectofsuchidleandfrivolousgallantry;andwhileshesteadilyrepressedit,couldnotbutfeel there-proofcontainedinhisbelieving,thathoweverlong,andforwhatevercause,hisatten-tionshadbeenwithdrawn,hervanitywouldbegratified,andherpreferencesecuredatanytimebytheirrenewal.Ontheverylastdayoftheregiment’sremainingatMeryton,hedined,withotherof

the officers, at Longbourn; and so littlewasElizabeth disposed to part fromhim ingoodhumour,thatonhismakingsomeinquiryastothemannerinwhichhertimehadpassedatHunsford,shementionedColonelFitzwilliam’sandMr.Darcy’shavingbothspentthreeweeksatRosings,andaskedhim,ifhewasacquaintedwiththeformer.Helookedsurprised,displeased,alarmed;butwithamoment’srecollectionandare-

turningsmile,replied,thathehadformerlyseenhimoften;and,afterobservingthathewas a very gentlemanlike man, asked her how she had liked him. Her answer waswarmlyinhisfavour.Withanairofindifferencehesoonafterwardsadded:“HowlongdidyousayhewasatRosings?”“Nearlythreeweeks.”“Andyousawhimfrequently?”“Yes,almosteveryday.”“Hismannersareverydifferentfromhiscousin’s.”“Yes,verydifferent.ButIthinkMr.Darcyimprovesuponacquaintance.”“Indeed!”criedMr.Wickhamwithalookwhichdidnotescapeher.“Andpray,may

Iask?—”Butcheckinghimself,headded,inagayertone,“Isitinaddressthatheim-proves?Hashedeignedtoaddaughtofcivilitytohisordinarystyle?—forIdarenothope,”hecontinuedinalowerandmoreserioustone,“thatheisimprovedinessen-tials.”“Oh, no!” said Elizabeth. “In essentials, I believe, he is verymuchwhat he ever

was.”While shespoke,Wickham lookedas if scarcelyknowingwhether to rejoiceover

her words, or to distrust their meaning. There was a something in her countenancewhichmadehimlistenwithanapprehensiveandanxiousattention,whilesheadded:“WhenIsaidthatheimprovedonacquaintance,Ididnotmeanthathismindorhis

mannerswereinastateofimprovement,butthat,fromknowinghimbetter,hisdispo-

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sitionwasbetterunderstood.”Wickham’salarmnowappearedinaheightenedcomplexionandagitatedlook;fora

fewminuteshewassilent,till,shakingoffhisembarrassment,heturnedtoheragain,andsaidinthegentlestofaccents:“You,whosowellknowmy feeling towardsMr.Darcy,will readilycomprehend

howsincerelyImustrejoicethatheiswiseenoughtoassumeeventheappearanceofwhatisright.Hispride,inthatdirection,maybeofservice,ifnottohimself,tomanyothers,foritmustonlydeterhimfromsuchfoulmisconductasIhavesufferedby.Ionlyfearthatthesortofcautiousnesstowhichyou,Iimagine,havebeenalluding,ismerely adopted on his visits to his aunt, of whose good opinion and judgement hestandsmuchinawe.Hisfearofherhasalwaysoperated,Iknow,whentheywereto-gether;andagooddealistobeimputedtohiswishofforwardingthematchwithMissdeBourgh,whichIamcertainhehasverymuchatheart.”Elizabethcouldnotrepressasmileatthis,butsheansweredonlybyaslightinclina-

tionofthehead.Shesawthathewantedtoengageherontheoldsubjectofhisgriev-ances,andshewasinnohumourtoindulgehim.Therestoftheeveningpassedwiththeappearance,onhisside,ofusualcheerfulness,butwithnofurtherattempttodis-tinguishElizabeth;andtheypartedatlastwithmutualcivility,andpossiblyamutualdesireofnevermeetingagain.When the party broke up, Lydia returned with Mrs. Forster to Meryton, from

whencetheywere tosetoutearly thenextmorning.Theseparationbetweenherandherfamilywasrathernoisythanpathetic.Kittywastheonlyonewhoshedtears;butshedidweepfromvexationandenvy.Mrs.Bennetwasdiffuseinhergoodwishesforthefelicityofherdaughter,andimpressiveinherinjunctionsthatsheshouldnotmisstheopportunityofenjoyingherselfasmuchaspossible—advicewhichtherewaseveryreasontobelievewouldbewellattendedto;andintheclamoroushappinessofLydiaherselfinbiddingfarewell,themoregentleadieusofhersisterswereutteredwithoutbeingheard.

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HadElizabeth’s opinionbeen all drawn fromher own family, she couldnot haveformedaverypleasingopinionof conjugal felicityordomestic comfort.Her father,captivatedbyyouthandbeauty,andthatappearanceofgoodhumourwhichyouthandbeautygenerallygive,hadmarriedawomanwhoseweakunderstandingandilliberalmindhadveryearlyintheirmarriageputanendtoallrealaffectionforher.Respect,esteem,andconfidencehadvanishedforever;andallhisviewsofdomestichappinesswereoverthrown.ButMr.Bennetwasnotofadispositiontoseekcomfortforthedis-appointment which his own imprudence had brought on, in any of those pleasureswhichtoooftenconsoletheunfortunatefortheirfollyortheirvice.Hewasfondofthecountryandofbooks;andfromthesetasteshadarisenhisprincipalenjoyments.Tohiswifehewasvery little otherwise indebted, than asher ignorance and follyhad con-tributedtohisamusement.Thisisnotthesortofhappinesswhichamanwouldingen-eralwishtoowetohiswife;butwhereotherpowersofentertainmentarewanting,thetruephilosopherwillderivebenefitfromsuchasaregiven.Elizabeth,however,hadneverbeenblindtotheimproprietyofherfather’sbehav-

iourasahusband.Shehadalwaysseen itwithpain;but respectinghisabilities,andgrateful forhisaffectionate treatmentofherself, sheendeavoured to forgetwhat shecouldnotoverlook,andtobanishfromherthoughtsthatcontinualbreachofconjugalobligationanddecorumwhich,inexposinghiswifetothecontemptofherownchil-dren,wassohighlyreprehensible.Butshehadneverfeltsostronglyasnowthedisad-vantageswhichmustattendthechildrenofsounsuitableamarriage,noreverbeensofullyawareoftheevilsarisingfromsoill-judgedadirectionoftalents;talents,which,rightlyused,mightat leasthavepreservedtherespectabilityofhisdaughters,evenifincapableofenlargingthemindofhiswife.WhenElizabethhadrejoicedoverWickham’sdepartureshefoundlittleothercause

forsatisfactioninthelossoftheregiment.Theirpartiesabroadwerelessvariedthanbefore,andathomeshehadamotherandsisterwhoseconstantrepiningsatthedull-ness of everything around them threw a real gloom over their domestic circle; and,thoughKittymight intimeregainhernaturaldegreeofsense,sincethedisturbersofherbrainwereremoved,herothersister,fromwhosedispositiongreaterevilmightbeapprehended,waslikelytobehardenedinallherfollyandassurancebyasituationof

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suchdoubledanger as awatering-place and a camp.Upon thewhole, therefore, shefound,what has been sometimes found before, that an event towhich she had beenlookingwithimpatientdesiredidnot,intakingplace,bringallthesatisfactionshehadpromised herself. It was consequently necessary to name some other period for thecommencementofactualfelicity—tohavesomeotherpointonwhichherwishesandhopesmightbefixed,andbyagainenjoyingthepleasureofanticipation,consoleher-selfforthepresent,andprepareforanotherdisappointment.HertourtotheLakeswasnowtheobjectofherhappiestthoughts;itwasherbestconsolationforalltheuncom-fortable hourswhich the discontentedness of hermother andKittymade inevitable;andcouldshehaveincludedJaneinthescheme,everypartofitwouldhavebeenper-fect.“But it is fortunate,” thought she, “that I have something to wish for. Were the

wholearrangementcomplete,mydisappointmentwouldbecertain.Buthere,bycarry-ingwithmeoneceaseless sourceof regret inmy sister’s absence, Imay reasonablyhopetohaveallmyexpectationsofpleasurerealised.Aschemeofwhicheverypartpromisesdelightcanneverbesuccessful;andgeneraldisappointmentisonlywardedoffbythedefenceofsomelittlepeculiarvexation.”WhenLydiawentawayshepromisedtowriteveryoftenandveryminutelytoher

mother andKitty; but her letterswere always long expected, and alwaysvery short.Thosetohermothercontainedlittleelsethanthattheywerejustreturnedfromtheli-brary,wheresuchandsuchofficershadattendedthem,andwhereshehadseensuchbeautifulornamentsasmadeherquitewild;thatshehadanewgown,oranewparasol,whichshewouldhavedescribedmorefully,butwasobligedtoleaveoffinaviolenthurry,asMrs.Forstercalledher,andtheyweregoingoff to thecamp;andfromhercorrespondencewithhersister,therewasstilllesstobelearnt—forherletterstoKitty,thoughratherlonger,weremuchtoofulloflinesunderthewordstobemadepublic.After the first fortnight or threeweeks of her absence, health, good humour, and

cheerfulnessbegantoreappearatLongbourn.Everythingworeahappieraspect.Thefamilieswhohadbeenintownforthewintercamebackagain,andsummerfineryandsummerengagementsarose.Mrs.Bennetwasrestoredtoherusualquerulousserenity;and,bythemiddleofJune,KittywassomuchrecoveredastobeabletoenterMerytonwithout tears;aneventofsuchhappypromiseas tomakeElizabethhopethatbythefollowingChristmasshemightbesotolerablyreasonableasnottomentionanofficeraboveonceaday,unless,bysomecruelandmaliciousarrangementattheWarOffice,anotherregimentshouldbequarteredinMeryton.The time fixed for thebeginningof theirnorthern tourwasnowfastapproaching,

andafortnightonlywaswantingofit,whenaletterarrivedfromMrs.Gardiner,whichatoncedelayeditscommencementandcurtaileditsextent.Mr.Gardinerwouldbepre-ventedbybusinessfromsettingouttillafortnightlaterinJuly,andmustbeinLondon

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againwithinamonth,andasthatlefttooshortaperiodforthemtogosofar,andseesomuchastheyhadproposed,oratleasttoseeitwiththeleisureandcomforttheyhadbuilton,theywereobligedtogiveuptheLakes,andsubstituteamorecontractedtour,and,accordingtothepresentplan,weretogonofarthernorthwardsthanDerbyshire.In thatcounty therewasenough tobeseen tooccupy thechiefof their threeweeks;andtoMrs.Gardinerithadapeculiarlystrongattraction.Thetownwhereshehadfor-merlypassedsomeyearsofher life,andwhere theywerenowtospenda fewdays,wasprobablyasgreatanobjectofhercuriosityasallthecelebratedbeautiesofMat-lock,Chatsworth,Dovedale,orthePeak.Elizabethwasexcessivelydisappointed;shehadsetherheartonseeingtheLakes,

andstillthoughttheremighthavebeentimeenough.Butitwasherbusinesstobesat-isfied—andcertainlyhertempertobehappy;andallwassoonrightagain.WiththementionofDerbyshirethereweremanyideasconnected.Itwasimpossible

forhertoseethewordwithoutthinkingofPemberleyanditsowner.“Butsurely,”saidshe,“Imayenterhiscountywithimpunity,androbitofafewpetrifiedsparswithouthisperceivingme.”Theperiodofexpectationwasnowdoubled.Fourweeksweretopassawaybefore

heruncleandaunt’sarrival.Buttheydidpassaway,andMr.andMrs.Gardiner,withtheir fourchildren,didat lengthappearatLongbourn.Thechildren, twogirlsof sixandeightyearsold,andtwoyoungerboys,weretobeleftundertheparticularcareoftheircousinJane,whowasthegeneralfavourite,andwhosesteadysenseandsweet-nessoftemperexactlyadaptedherforattendingtothemineveryway—teachingthem,playingwiththem,andlovingthem.TheGardiners stayed only one night at Longbourn, and set off the nextmorning

withElizabethinpursuitofnoveltyandamusement.Oneenjoymentwascertain—thatofsuitablenessofcompanions;asuitablenesswhichcomprehendedhealthandtemperto bear inconveniences—cheerfulness to enhance every pleasure—and affection andintelligence,whichmight supply it among themselves if therewere disappointmentsabroad.ItisnottheobjectofthisworktogiveadescriptionofDerbyshire,norofanyofthe

remarkableplacesthroughwhichtheirroutethitherlay;Oxford,Blenheim,Warwick,Kenilworth,Birmingham,etc.aresufficientlyknown.AsmallpartofDerbyshireisallthepresentconcern.TothelittletownofLambton,thesceneofMrs.Gardiner’sfor-merresidence,andwhereshehadlatelylearnedsomeacquaintancestillremained,theybenttheirsteps,afterhavingseenalltheprincipalwondersofthecountry;andwithinfivemilesofLambton,ElizabethfoundfromherauntthatPemberleywassituated.Itwasnotintheirdirectroad,normorethanamileortwooutofit.Intalkingovertheirroutetheeveningbefore,Mrs.Gardinerexpressedaninclinationtoseetheplaceagain.Mr.Gardinerdeclaredhiswillingness,andElizabethwasappliedtoforherapproba-

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tion.“My love, shouldnotyou like to seeaplaceofwhichyouhaveheardsomuch?”

saidheraunt;“aplace,too,withwhichsomanyofyouracquaintancesareconnected.Wickhampassedallhisyouththere,youknow.”Elizabethwasdistressed.She felt that shehadnobusinessatPemberley, andwas

obligedtoassumeadisinclinationforseeingit.Shemustownthatshewastiredofsee-inggreathouses;aftergoingoversomany,shereallyhadnopleasureinfinecarpetsorsatincurtains.Mrs.Gardinerabusedherstupidity.“Ifitweremerelyafinehouserichlyfurnished,”

saidshe,“Ishouldnotcareaboutitmyself;butthegroundsaredelightful.Theyhavesomeofthefinestwoodsinthecountry.”Elizabethsaidnomore—buthermindcouldnotacquiesce.Thepossibilityofmeet-

ingMr.Darcy,whileviewingtheplace,instantlyoccurred.Itwouldbedreadful!Sheblushedat thevery idea, and thought itwouldbebetter to speakopenly toher auntthantorunsucharisk.Butagainstthistherewereobjections;andshefinallyresolvedthat itcouldbe the last resource, ifherprivate inquiries to theabsenceof thefamilywereunfavourablyanswered.Accordingly,whenshe retiredatnight, sheasked thechambermaidwhetherPem-

berleywerenotaveryfineplace?whatwasthenameofitsproprietor?and,withnolittlealarm,whetherthefamilyweredownforthesummer?Amostwelcomenegativefollowedthelastquestion—andheralarmsnowbeingremoved,shewasatleisuretofeelagreatdealofcuriositytoseethehouseherself;andwhenthesubjectwasrevivedthe next morning, and she was again applied to, could readily answer, and with aproperairofindifference,thatshehadnotreallyanydisliketothescheme.ToPem-berley,therefore,theyweretogo.

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Elizabeth, as they drove along, watched for the first appearance of PemberleyWoodswith some perturbation; andwhen at length they turned in at the lodge, herspiritswereinahighflutter.Theparkwasverylarge,andcontainedgreatvarietyofground.Theyenteredit in

oneofitslowestpoints,anddroveforsometimethroughabeautifulwoodstretchingoverawideextent.Elizabeth’smindwastoofullforconversation,butshesawandadmiredeveryre-

markable spot and point of view.Theygradually ascended for half-a-mile, and thenfoundthemselvesatthetopofaconsiderableeminence,wherethewoodceased,andtheeyewas instantlycaughtbyPemberleyHouse, situatedon theopposite sideofavalley, intowhich the roadwith some abruptnesswound. It was a large, handsomestonebuilding,standingwellonrisingground,andbackedbyaridgeofhighwoodyhills;andinfront,astreamofsomenatural importancewasswelledintogreater,butwithout any artificial appearance. Its bankswere neither formal nor falsely adorned.Elizabethwasdelighted.Shehadneverseenaplaceforwhichnaturehaddonemore,or where natural beauty had been so little counteracted by an awkward taste. Theywereallofthemwarmintheiradmiration;andatthatmomentshefeltthattobemis-tressofPemberleymightbesomething!Theydescendedthehill,crossedthebridge,anddrovetothedoor;and,whileexam-

ining the nearer aspect of the house, all her apprehension of meeting its owner re-turned.Shedreadedlestthechambermaidhadbeenmistaken.Onapplyingtoseetheplace, theywere admitted into thehall; andElizabeth, as theywaited for thehouse-keeper,hadleisuretowonderatherbeingwhereshewas.The housekeeper came; a respectable-looking elderlywoman,much less fine, and

morecivil,thanshehadanynotionoffindingher.Theyfollowedherintothedining-parlour.Itwasalarge,wellproportionedroom,handsomelyfittedup.Elizabeth,afterslightlysurveying it,went toawindowtoenjoy itsprospect.Thehill,crownedwithwood,which they had descended, receiving increased abruptness from the distance,wasabeautifulobject.Everydispositionof thegroundwasgood;andshelookedonthewholescene,theriver,thetreesscatteredonitsbanksandthewindingoftheval-

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ley,asfarasshecouldtraceit,withdelight.Astheypassedintootherroomstheseob-jectsweretakingdifferentpositions;butfromeverywindowtherewerebeautiestobeseen.Theroomswereloftyandhandsome,andtheirfurnituresuitabletothefortuneofitsproprietor;butElizabethsaw,withadmirationofhistaste,thatitwasneithergaudynoruselesslyfine;withlessofsplendour,andmorerealelegance,thanthefurnitureofRosings.“Andofthisplace,”thoughtshe,“Imighthavebeenmistress!WiththeseroomsI

mightnowhavebeenfamiliarlyacquainted! Insteadofviewing themasastranger, Imighthaverejoicedin themasmyown,andwelcomedto themasvisitorsmyuncleand aunt. But no,”—recollecting herself—“that could never be; my uncle and auntwouldhavebeenlosttome;Ishouldnothavebeenallowedtoinvitethem.”Thiswasaluckyrecollection—itsavedherfromsomethingverylikeregret.Shelongedtoinquireofthehousekeeperwhetherhermasterwasreallyabsent,but

hadnotthecourageforit.Atlengthhowever,thequestionwasaskedbyheruncle;andsheturnedawaywithalarm,whileMrs.Reynoldsrepliedthathewas,adding,“Butweexpecthimto-morrow,withalargepartyoffriends.”HowrejoicedwasElizabeththattheirownjourneyhadnotbyanycircumstancebeendelayedaday!Herauntnowcalledhertolookatapicture.Sheapproachedandsawthelikenessof

Mr.Wickham,suspended,amongstseveralotherminiatures,overthemantelpiece.Herauntaskedher,smilingly,howshe liked it.Thehousekeepercameforward,and toldthemitwasapictureofayounggentleman,thesonofherlatemaster’ssteward,whohadbeenbroughtupbyhimathisownexpense.“Heisnowgoneintothearmy,”sheadded;“butIamafraidhehasturnedoutverywild.”Mrs.Gardinerlookedatherniecewithasmile,butElizabethcouldnotreturnit.“Andthat,”saidMrs.Reynolds,pointingtoanotheroftheminiatures,“ismymaster

—andvery likehim. Itwasdrawnat the same time as theother—about eight yearsago.”“Ihaveheardmuchofyourmaster’sfineperson,”saidMrs.Gardiner,lookingatthe

picture;“itisahandsomeface.But,Lizzy,youcantelluswhetheritislikeornot.”Mrs. Reynolds respect for Elizabeth seemed to increase on this intimation of her

knowinghermaster.“DoesthatyoungladyknowMr.Darcy?”Elizabethcoloured,andsaid:“Alittle.”“Anddonotyouthinkhimaveryhandsomegentleman,ma’am?”“Yes,veryhandsome.”“IamsureIknownonesohandsome;butinthegalleryupstairsyouwillseeafiner,

largerpictureofhim than this.This roomwasmy latemaster’s favourite room,and

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theseminiaturesarejustastheyusedtobethen.Hewasveryfondofthem.”ThisaccountedtoElizabethforMr.Wickham’sbeingamongthem.Mrs.ReynoldsthendirectedtheirattentiontooneofMissDarcy,drawnwhenshe

wasonlyeightyearsold.“AndisMissDarcyashandsomeasherbrother?”saidMrs.Gardiner.“Oh!yes—thehandsomestyoungladythateverwasseen;andsoaccomplished!—

Sheplaysandsingsalldaylong.Inthenextroomisanewinstrumentjustcomedownforher—apresentfrommymaster;shecomeshereto-morrowwithhim.”Mr.Gardiner,whosemannerswereveryeasyandpleasant,encouragedhercommu-

nicativenessbyhisquestions and remarks;Mrs.Reynolds, eitherbyprideor attach-ment,hadevidentlygreatpleasureintalkingofhermasterandhissister.“IsyourmastermuchatPemberleyinthecourseoftheyear?”“NotsomuchasIcouldwish,sir;butIdaresayhemayspendhalfhistimehere;

andMissDarcyisalwaysdownforthesummermonths.”“Except,”thoughtElizabeth,“whenshegoestoRamsgate.”“Ifyourmasterwouldmarry,youmightseemoreofhim.”“Yes,sir;butIdonotknowwhenthatwillbe.Idonotknowwhoisgoodenough

forhim.”Mr.andMrs.Gardinersmiled.Elizabethcouldnothelpsaying,“Itisverymuchto

hiscredit,Iamsure,thatyoushouldthinkso.”“Isaynomorethanthetruth,andeverybodywillsaythatknowshim,”repliedthe

other.Elizabeththoughtthiswasgoingprettyfar;andshelistenedwithincreasingas-tonishmentasthehousekeeperadded,“Ihaveneverknownacrosswordfromhiminmylife,andIhaveknownhimeversincehewasfouryearsold.”Thiswaspraise,ofallothersmostextraordinary,mostoppositetoherideas.Thathe

wasnotagood-temperedmanhadbeenherfirmestopinion.Herkeenestattentionwasawakened;shelongedtohearmore,andwasgratefultoheruncleforsaying:“Thereareveryfewpeopleofwhomsomuchcanbesaid.Youareluckyinhaving

suchamaster.”“Yes,sir, IknowIam.IfIweretogothroughtheworld,Icouldnotmeetwitha

better.ButIhavealwaysobserved,thattheywhoaregood-naturedwhenchildren,aregood-naturedwhentheygrowup;andhewasalwaysthesweetest-tempered,mostgen-erous-heartedboyintheworld.”Elizabethalmoststaredather.“CanthisbeMr.Darcy?”thoughtshe.“Hisfatherwasanexcellentman,”saidMrs.Gardiner.“Yes,ma’am,thathewasindeed;andhissonwillbejustlikehim—justasaffable

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tothepoor.”Elizabethlistened,wondered,doubted,andwasimpatientformore.Mrs.Reynolds

couldinterestheronnootherpoint.Sherelatedthesubjectsofthepictures,thedimen-sionsoftherooms,andthepriceofthefurniture,invain.Mr.Gardiner,highlyamusedbythekindoffamilyprejudicetowhichheattributedherexcessivecommendationofhermaster,soonledagaintothesubject;andshedweltwithenergyonhismanymeritsastheyproceededtogetherupthegreatstaircase.“Heisthebestlandlord,andthebestmaster,”saidshe,“thateverlived;notlikethe

wildyoungmennowadays,whothinkofnothingbutthemselves.Thereisnotoneofhistenantsorservantsbutwillgivehimagoodname.Somepeoplecallhimproud;butIamsureIneversawanythingofit.Tomyfancy,itisonlybecausehedoesnotrattleawaylikeotheryoungmen.”“Inwhatanamiablelightdoesthisplacehim!”thoughtElizabeth.“Thisfineaccountofhim,”whisperedherauntastheywalked,“isnotquiteconsis-

tentwithhisbehaviourtoourpoorfriend.”“Perhapswemightbedeceived.”“Thatisnotverylikely;ourauthoritywastoogood.”On reaching the spacious lobbyabove theywere shown intoaverypretty sitting-

room, lately fittedupwithgreatereleganceand lightness than theapartmentsbelow;andwereinformedthatitwasbutjustdonetogivepleasuretoMissDarcy,whohadtakenalikingtotheroomwhenlastatPemberley.“Heiscertainlyagoodbrother,”saidElizabeth,asshewalked towardsoneof the

windows.Mrs.Reynolds anticipatedMissDarcy’sdelight,when she should enter the room.

“Andthisisalwaysthewaywithhim,”sheadded.“Whatevercangivehissisteranypleasureissuretobedoneinamoment.Thereisnothinghewouldnotdoforher.”The picture-gallery, and two or three of the principal bedrooms,were all that re-

mained to be shown. In the former weremany good paintings; but Elizabeth knewnothingoftheart;andfromsuchashadbeenalreadyvisiblebelow,shehadwillinglyturnedtolookatsomedrawingsofMissDarcy’s,incrayons,whosesubjectswereusu-allymoreinteresting,andalsomoreintelligible.Inthegallerythereweremanyfamilyportraits,buttheycouldhavelittletofixthe

attention of a stranger. Elizabeth walked in quest of the only face whose featureswouldbeknowntoher.Atlastitarrestedher—andshebeheldastrikingresemblancetoMr.Darcy,withsuchasmileoverthefaceassherememberedtohavesometimesseenwhenhe lookedather.Shestoodseveralminutesbefore thepicture, inearnestcontemplation,andreturnedtoitagainbeforetheyquittedthegallery.Mrs.Reynolds

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informedthemthatithadbeentakeninhisfather’slifetime.Therewascertainlyatthismoment,inElizabeth’smind,amoregentlesensationto-

wardstheoriginalthanshehadeverfeltattheheightoftheiracquaintance.Thecom-mendationbestowedonhimbyMrs.Reynoldswasofnotriflingnature.Whatpraiseismorevaluablethanthepraiseofanintelligentservant?Asabrother,alandlord,amas-ter, she considered how many people’s happiness were in his guardianship!—howmuchofpleasureorpainwasit inhispowertobestow!—howmuchofgoodorevilmustbedonebyhim!Every idea thathadbeenbrought forwardby thehousekeeperwasfavourabletohischaracter,andasshestoodbeforethecanvasonwhichhewasrepresented,andfixedhiseyesuponherself, she thoughtofhis regardwithadeepersentimentofgratitudethanithadeverraisedbefore;sheremembereditswarmth,andsofteneditsimproprietyofexpression.Whenallof thehouse thatwasopentogeneral inspectionhadbeenseen, theyre-

turneddownstairs, and, taking leaveof thehousekeeper,were consignedover to thegardener,whometthematthehall-door.As they walked across the hall towards the river, Elizabeth turned back to look

again;heruncleandauntstoppedalso,andwhiletheformerwasconjecturingastothedate of the building, the owner of it himself suddenly came forward from the road,whichledbehindittothestables.Theywerewithintwentyyardsofeachother,andsoabruptwashisappearance,that

itwasimpossibletoavoidhissight.Theireyesinstantlymet,andthecheeksofbothwere overspread with the deepest blush. He absolutely started, and for a momentseemed immovable from surprise; but shortly recovering himself, advanced towardstheparty,andspoketoElizabeth,ifnotintermsofperfectcomposure,atleastofper-fectcivility.Shehadinstinctivelyturnedaway;butstoppingonhisapproach,receivedhiscom-

plimentswithanembarrassmentimpossibletobeovercome.Hadhisfirstappearance,orhisresemblancetothepicturetheyhadjustbeenexamining,beeninsufficienttoas-suretheothertwothattheynowsawMr.Darcy,thegardener’sexpressionofsurprise,onbeholdinghismaster,mustimmediatelyhavetoldit.Theystoodalittlealoofwhilehewastalkingtotheirniece,who,astonishedandconfused,scarcelydaredlifthereyestohisface,andknewnotwhatanswershereturnedtohiscivilinquiriesafterherfam-ily.Amazedatthealterationofhismannersincetheylastparted,everysentencethatheutteredwasincreasingherembarrassment;andeveryideaoftheimproprietyofherbeingfoundthererecurringtohermind,thefewminutesinwhichtheycontinuedweresomeofthemostuncomfortableinherlife.Nordidheseemmuchmoreatease;whenhespoke,hisaccenthadnoneofitsusualsedateness;andherepeatedhisinquiriesasto the timeofherhavingleftLongbourn,andofherhavingstayedinDerbyshire,sooften,andinsohurriedaway,asplainlyspokethedistractionofhisthoughts.

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Atlengtheveryideaseemedtofailhim;and,afterstandingafewmomentswithoutsayingaword,hesuddenlyrecollectedhimself,andtookleave.The others then joined her, and expressed admiration of his figure; but Elizabeth

heardnotaword,andwhollyengrossedbyherownfeelings,followedtheminsilence.Shewasoverpoweredbyshameandvexation.Hercomingtherewasthemostunfortu-nate, themost ill-judged thing in theworld!How strange itmust appear to him! Inwhatadisgracefullightmightitnotstrikesovainaman!Itmightseemasifshehadpurposely thrownherself in hisway again!Oh!whydid she come?Or,whydid hethuscomeadaybeforehewasexpected?Hadtheybeenonlytenminutessooner,theyshouldhavebeenbeyondthereachofhisdiscrimination;foritwasplainthathewasthatmomentarrived—thatmomentalightedfromhishorseorhiscarriage.Sheblushedagainandagainovertheperversenessofthemeeting.Andhisbehaviour,sostrikinglyaltered—whatcoulditmean?Thatheshouldevenspeaktoherwasamazing!—buttospeakwithsuchcivility,toinquireafterherfamily!Neverinherlifehadsheseenhismannerssolittledignified,neverhadhespokenwithsuchgentlenessasonthisunex-pectedmeeting.WhatacontrastdiditoffertohislastaddressinRosingsPark,whenheputhisletterintoherhand!Sheknewnotwhattothink,orhowtoaccountforit.Theyhadnowenteredabeautifulwalkbythesideofthewater,andeverystepwas

bringingforwardanoblerfallofground,orafinerreachofthewoodstowhichtheywereapproaching;butitwassometimebeforeElizabethwassensibleofanyofit;and,thoughsheansweredmechanicallytotherepeatedappealsofheruncleandaunt,andseemedtodirecthereyestosuchobjectsastheypointedout,shedistinguishednopartof the scene. Her thoughts were all fixed on that one spot of Pemberley House,whicheveritmightbe,whereMr.Darcythenwas.Shelongedtoknowwhatatthemo-mentwaspassinginhismind—inwhatmannerhethoughtofher,andwhether,indefi-anceofeverything,shewasstilldeartohim.Perhapshehadbeencivilonlybecausehefelt himself at ease; yet there had been that in his voice which was not like ease.Whetherhehadfeltmoreofpainorofpleasureinseeinghershecouldnottell,buthecertainlyhadnotseenherwithcomposure.Atlength,however,theremarksofhercompanionsonherabsenceofmindaroused

her,andshefeltthenecessityofappearingmorelikeherself.Theyenteredthewoods,andbiddingadieutotheriverforawhile,ascendedsome

of the higher grounds; when, in spots where the opening of the trees gave the eyepowertowander,weremanycharmingviewsofthevalley,theoppositehills,withthelong range of woods overspreadingmany, and occasionally part of the stream.Mr.Gardinerexpressedawishofgoingroundthewholepark,butfeareditmightbebe-yondawalk.Withatriumphantsmiletheyweretoldthatitwastenmilesround.Itset-tled thematter; and theypursued theaccustomedcircuit;whichbrought themagain,aftersometime,inadescentamonghangingwoods,totheedgeofthewater,andone

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ofitsnarrowestparts.Theycrosseditbyasimplebridge,incharacterwiththegeneralairofthescene;itwasaspotlessadornedthananytheyhadyetvisited;andthevalley,here contracted into a glen, allowed room only for the stream, and a narrow walkamidst the rough coppice-wood which bordered it. Elizabeth longed to explore itswindings;butwhentheyhadcrossedthebridge,andperceivedtheirdistancefromthehouse,Mrs.Gardiner,whowasnot agreatwalker, couldgono farther, and thoughtonly of returning to the carriage as quickly as possible. Her niece was, therefore,obligedtosubmit,andtheytooktheirwaytowardsthehouseontheoppositesideoftheriver,inthenearestdirection;buttheirprogresswasslow,forMr.Gardiner,thoughseldomabletoindulgethetaste,wasveryfondoffishing,andwassomuchengagedinwatchingtheoccasionalappearanceofsometroutinthewater,andtalkingtothemanaboutthem,thatheadvancedbutlittle.Whilstwanderingoninthisslowmanner,theywereagainsurprised,andElizabeth’sastonishmentwasquiteequaltowhatithadbeenatfirst,bythesightofMr.Darcyapproachingthem,andatnogreatdistance.Thewalkherebeingherelessshelteredthanontheotherside,allowedthemtoseehimbeforetheymet.Elizabeth,howeverastonished,wasat leastmorepreparedforaninterviewthanbefore,andresolvedtoappearandtospeakwithcalmness,ifhereallyintendedtomeet them. For a fewmoments, indeed, she felt that hewould probably strike intosomeotherpath.Theidealastedwhileaturninginthewalkconcealedhimfromtheirview;theturningpast,hewasimmediatelybeforethem.Withaglance,shesawthathehad lostnoneofhis recentcivility;and, to imitatehispoliteness, shebegan,as theymet,toadmirethebeautyoftheplace;butshehadnotgotbeyondthewords“delight-ful,”and“charming,”whensomeunluckyrecollectionsobtruded,andshefanciedthatpraiseofPemberleyfromhermightbemischievouslyconstrued.Hercolourchanged,andshesaidnomore.Mrs.Gardinerwasstandingalittlebehind;andonherpausing,heaskedherifshe

woulddohimthehonourofintroducinghimtoherfriends.Thiswasastrokeofcivil-ityforwhichshewasquiteunprepared;andshecouldhardlysuppressasmileathisbeingnowseeking theacquaintanceof someof thoseverypeopleagainstwhomhispride had revolted in his offer to herself. “What will be his surprise,” thought she,“whenheknowswhotheyare?Hetakesthemnowforpeopleoffashion.”Theintroduction,however,wasimmediatelymade;andasshenamedtheirrelation-

shiptoherself,shestoleaslylookathim,toseehowheboreit,andwasnotwithouttheexpectationofhisdecampingas fast ashecould fromsuchdisgraceful compan-ions.Thathewassurprisedbytheconnectionwasevident;hesustainedit,however,with fortitude, and so far fromgoingaway, turnedbackwith them,andentered intoconversationwithMr.Gardiner.Elizabethcouldnotbutbepleased,couldnotbuttri-umph. Itwasconsoling thathe shouldknowshehadsome relations forwhom therewasnoneed toblush.She listenedmostattentively toall thatpassedbetween them,

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andgloriedineveryexpression,everysentenceofheruncle,whichmarkedhisintelli-gence,histaste,orhisgoodmanners.The conversation soon turned upon fishing; and she heardMr.Darcy invite him,

withthegreatestcivility, tofishthereasoftenashechosewhilehecontinuedintheneighbourhood,offeringatthesametimetosupplyhimwithfishingtackle,andpoint-ingout thosepartsof thestreamwhere therewasusuallymostsport.Mrs.Gardiner,whowaswalking arm-in-armwithElizabeth, gaveher a look expressiveofwonder.Elizabethsaidnothing,butitgratifiedherexceedingly;thecomplimentmustbeallforherself.Herastonishment,however,wasextreme,andcontinuallywassherepeating,“Whyishesoaltered?Fromwhatcanitproceed?Itcannotbeforme—itcannotbeformysakethathismannersarethussoftened.MyreproofsatHunsfordcouldnotworksuchachangeasthis.Itisimpossiblethatheshouldstillloveme.”Afterwalkingsometimeinthisway,thetwoladiesinfront,thetwogentlemenbe-

hind,onresumingtheirplaces,afterdescendingtothebrinkoftheriverforthebetterinspectionofsomecuriouswater-plant,therechancedtobealittlealteration.Itorigi-nated inMrs.Gardiner,who, fatigued by the exercise of themorning, found Eliza-beth’sarm inadequate tohersupport,andconsequentlypreferredherhusband’s.Mr.Darcytookherplacebyherniece,andtheywalkedontogether.Afterashortsilence,theladyfirstspoke.Shewishedhimtoknowthatshehadbeenassuredofhisabsencebeforeshecametotheplace,andaccordinglybeganbyobserving,thathisarrivalhadbeen very unexpected—“for your housekeeper,” she added, “informed us that youwouldcertainlynotbehere till to-morrow; and indeed,beforewe leftBakewell,weunderstoodthatyouwerenotimmediatelyexpectedinthecountry.”Heacknowledgedthe truthof itall,andsaid thatbusinesswithhisstewardhadoccasionedhiscomingforward a fewhours before the rest of the partywithwhomhe had been travelling.“Theywill joinmeearlyto-morrow,”hecontinued,“andamongthemaresomewhowillclaimanacquaintancewithyou—Mr.Bingleyandhissisters.”Elizabethansweredonlybyaslightbow.Herthoughtswereinstantlydrivenbackto

thetimewhenMr.Bingley’snamehadbeenthelastmentionedbetweenthem;and,ifshemightjudgebyhiscomplexion,hismindwasnotverydifferentlyengaged.“Thereisalsooneotherpersonintheparty,”hecontinuedafterapause,“whomore

particularlywishestobeknowntoyou.Willyouallowme,ordoIasktoomuch,toin-troducemysistertoyouracquaintanceduringyourstayatLambton?”The surprise of such an applicationwas great indeed; it was too great for her to

knowinwhatmannersheaccededtoit.SheimmediatelyfeltthatwhateverdesireMissDarcymighthaveofbeingacquaintedwithhermustbetheworkofherbrother,and,without lookingfarther, itwassatisfactory; itwasgratifying toknowthathis resent-menthadnotmadehimthinkreallyillofher.

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Theynowwalkedon in silence, eachof themdeep in thought.Elizabethwasnotcomfortable;thatwasimpossible;butshewasflatteredandpleased.Hiswishofintro-ducinghissister toherwasacomplimentof thehighestkind.Theysoonoutstrippedtheothers,andwhentheyhadreachedthecarriage,Mr.andMrs.Gardinerwerehalfaquarterofamilebehind.He then askedher towalk into thehouse—but shedeclaredherself not tired, and

theystood togetheron the lawn.Atsucha timemuchmighthavebeensaid,andsi-lencewasveryawkward.Shewanted to talk,but thereseemed tobeanembargooneverysubject.At lastsherecollected thatshehadbeen travelling,and they talkedofMatlockandDoveDalewithgreatperseverance.Yettimeandherauntmovedslowly—andherpatienceandherideaswerenearlywornoutbeforethetête-à-têtewasover.OnMr.andMrs.Gardiner’scominguptheywereallpressedtogointo thehouse

andtakesomerefreshment;butthiswasdeclined,andtheypartedoneachsidewithut-mostpoliteness.Mr.Darcyhandedtheladiesintothecarriage;andwhenitdroveoff,Elizabethsawhimwalkingslowlytowardsthehouse.Theobservationsofheruncleandauntnowbegan;andeachof thempronounced

himtobeinfinitelysuperiortoanythingtheyhadexpected.“Heisperfectlywellbe-haved,polite,andunassuming,”saidheruncle.“There is somethinga little stately inhim, tobe sure,” repliedher aunt, “but it is

confinedtohisair,andisnotunbecoming.Icannowsaywith thehousekeeper, thatthoughsomepeoplemaycallhimproud,Ihaveseennothingofit.”“Iwasnevermoresurprisedthanbyhisbehaviourtous.Itwasmorethancivil; it

was really attentive; and therewasnonecessity for suchattention.His acquaintancewithElizabethwasverytrifling.”“Tobesure,Lizzy,”saidheraunt,“heisnotsohandsomeasWickham;or,rather,

hehasnotWickham’scountenance,forhisfeaturesareperfectlygood.Buthowcameyoutotellmethathewassodisagreeable?”Elizabeth excused herself aswell as she could; said that she had liked himbetter

whentheyhadmetinKentthanbefore,andthatshehadneverseenhimsopleasantasthismorning.“Butperhapshemaybealittlewhimsicalinhiscivilities,”repliedheruncle.“Your

greatmenoftenare;andthereforeIshallnottakehimathisword,ashemightchangehismindanotherday,andwarnmeoffhisgrounds.”Elizabethfeltthattheyhadentirelymisunderstoodhischaracter,butsaidnothing.“Fromwhatwehave seenof him,” continuedMrs.Gardiner, “I really shouldnot

havethoughtthathecouldhavebehavedinsocruelawaybyanybodyashehasdonebypoorWickham.Hehasnotanill-naturedlook.Onthecontrary,thereissomethingpleasing about hismouthwhen he speaks.And there is something of dignity in his

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countenancethatwouldnotgiveoneanunfavourableideaofhisheart.But,tobesure,thegoodladywhoshowedushishousedidgivehimamostflamingcharacter!Icouldhardlyhelplaughingaloudsometimes.Butheisaliberalmaster,Isuppose,andthatintheeyeofaservantcomprehendseveryvirtue.”Elizabethherefeltherselfcalledontosaysomethinginvindicationofhisbehaviour

toWickham; and therefore gave them tounderstand, in as guarded amanner as shecould,thatbywhatshehadheardfromhisrelationsinKent,hisactionswerecapableofaverydifferentconstruction;andthathischaracterwasbynomeanssofaulty,norWickham’ssoamiable,astheyhadbeenconsideredinHertfordshire.Inconfirmationof this,sherelatedtheparticularsofall thepecuniarytransactions inwhichtheyhadbeen connected, without actually naming her authority, but stating it to be such asmightbereliedon.Mrs.Gardinerwassurprisedandconcerned;butastheywerenowapproachingthe

sceneofherformerpleasures,everyideagavewaytothecharmofrecollection;andshewastoomuchengagedinpointingouttoherhusbandalltheinterestingspotsinitsenvirons to thinkof anything else. Fatigued as she hadbeenby themorning’swalktheyhadnosoonerdined thanshesetoffagain inquestofher formeracquaintance,and the eveningwas spent in the satisfactions of an intercourse renewed aftermanyyears’discontinuance.TheoccurrencesofthedayweretoofullofinteresttoleaveElizabethmuchatten-

tionforanyofthesenewfriends;andshecoulddonothingbutthink,andthinkwithwonder, ofMr.Darcy’s civility, and, above all, of hiswishing her to be acquaintedwithhissister.

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ElizabethhadsettleditthatMr.DarcywouldbringhissistertovisithertheverydayafterherreachingPemberley;andwasconsequentlyresolvednottobeoutofsightoftheinnthewholeofthatmorning.Butherconclusionwasfalse;forontheverymorn-ingafter theirarrivalatLambton, thesevisitorscame.Theyhadbeenwalkingabouttheplacewith someof theirnew friends, andwere just returning to the inn todressthemselvesfordiningwiththesamefamily,whenthesoundofacarriagedrewthemtoawindow,andtheysawagentlemanandaladyinacurricledrivingupthestreet.Eliz-abeth immediately recognizing the livery, guessed what it meant, and imparted nosmall degree of her surprise to her relations by acquainting them with the honourwhichsheexpected.Heruncleandauntwereallamazement;andtheembarrassmentofhermanneras she spoke, joined to thecircumstance itself, andmanyof thecircum-stancesoftheprecedingday,openedtothemanewideaonthebusiness.Nothinghadever suggested itbefore,but they felt that therewasnootherwayofaccounting forsuchattentionsfromsuchaquarterthanbysupposingapartialityfortheirniece.Whilethesenewly-bornnotionswerepassing in theirheads, theperturbationofElizabeth’sfeelingswasateverymomentincreasing.Shewasquiteamazedatherowndiscompo-sure;butamongstothercausesofdisquiet,shedreadedlestthepartialityofthebrothershouldhavesaidtoomuchinherfavour;and,morethancommonlyanxioustoplease,shenaturallysuspectedthateverypowerofpleasingwouldfailher.She retreated from thewindow, fearful of being seen; and as shewalked up and

downtheroom,endeavouringtocomposeherself,sawsuchlooksofinquiringsurpriseinheruncleandauntasmadeeverythingworse.MissDarcyandherbrotherappeared,and this formidable introduction tookplace.

WithastonishmentdidElizabethsee thathernewacquaintancewasat leastasmuchembarrassed as herself. Since her being atLambton, she had heard thatMissDarcywasexceedinglyproud;buttheobservationofaveryfewminutesconvincedherthatshewasonlyexceedinglyshy.Shefounditdifficulttoobtainevenawordfromherbe-yondamonosyllable.MissDarcywas tall, andona larger scale thanElizabeth; and, though littlemore

than sixteen,her figurewas formed, andher appearancewomanlyandgraceful.Shewaslesshandsomethanherbrother;buttherewassenseandgoodhumourinherface,

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andhermannerswereperfectlyunassumingandgentle.Elizabeth,whohadexpectedtofindinherasacuteandunembarrassedanobserveraseverMr.Darcyhadbeen,wasmuchrelievedbydiscerningsuchdifferentfeelings.Theyhadnot longbeen togetherbeforeMr.Darcy toldher thatBingleywasalso

comingtowaitonher;andshehadbarelytimetoexpresshersatisfaction,andprepareforsuchavisitor,whenBingley’squickstepwasheardonthestairs,andinamomentheenteredtheroom.AllElizabeth’sangeragainsthimhadbeenlongdoneaway;buthadshestillfeltany,itcouldhardlyhavestooditsgroundagainsttheunaffectedcor-dialitywithwhichheexpressedhimselfonseeingheragain.Heinquiredinafriendly,thoughgeneralway,afterher family, and lookedandspokewith the samegood-hu-mouredeasethathehadeverdone.ToMr.andMrs.Gardinerhewasscarcelyalessinterestingpersonagethantoher-

self.Theyhadlongwishedtoseehim.Thewholepartybeforethem,indeed,excitedalivelyattention.ThesuspicionswhichhadjustarisenofMr.Darcyandtheirniecedi-rectedtheirobservationtowardseachwithanearnestthoughguardedinquiry;andtheysoondrewfromthoseinquiriesthefullconvictionthatoneofthematleastknewwhatitwastolove.Ofthelady’ssensationstheyremainedalittleindoubt;butthatthegen-tlemanwasoverflowingwithadmirationwasevidentenough.Elizabeth,onherside,hadmuchtodo.Shewantedtoascertainthefeelingsofeach

ofhervisitors;shewantedtocomposeherown,andtomakeherselfagreeabletoall;andinthelatterobject,whereshefearedmosttofail,shewasmostsureofsuccess,forthosetowhomsheendeavouredtogivepleasurewereprepossessedinherfavour.Bin-gleywasready,Georgianawaseager,andDarcydetermined,tobepleased.InseeingBingley,her thoughtsnaturally flew toher sister;and,oh!howardently

didshelongtoknowwhetheranyofhisweredirectedinalikemanner.Sometimesshecould fancy that he talked less thanon formeroccasions, andonceor twicepleasedherselfwiththenotionthat,ashelookedather,hewastryingtotracearesemblance.But,thoughthismightbeimaginary,shecouldnotbedeceivedastohisbehaviourtoMissDarcy,whohadbeensetupasarival toJane.Nolookappearedoneithersidethat spoke particular regard. Nothing occurred between them that could justify thehopesofhissister.Onthispointshewassoonsatisfied;andtwoorthreelittlecircum-stancesoccurrederetheyparted,which,inheranxiousinterpretation,denotedarecol-lectionof Janenot untincturedby tenderness, and awishof sayingmore thatmightlead to thementionofher,hadhedared.Heobserved toher,atamomentwhentheothersweretalkingtogether,andinatonewhichhadsomethingofrealregret,thatit“wasavery long timesincehehadhad thepleasureof seeingher;”and,before shecould reply,headded,“It isaboveeightmonths.Wehavenotmetsince the26thofNovember,whenwewerealldancingtogetheratNetherfield.”Elizabethwaspleasedtofindhismemorysoexact;andheafterwardstookoccasion

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toaskher,whenunattendedtobyanyoftherest,whetherallhersisterswereatLong-bourn.Therewasnotmuchinthequestion,norintheprecedingremark;buttherewasalookandamannerwhichgavethemmeaning.Itwasnotoftenthatshecould turnhereyesonMr.Darcyhimself;but,whenever

shedidcatchaglimpse,shesawanexpressionofgeneralcomplaisance,andinallthathesaidsheheardanaccentsoremovedfromhauteurordisdainofhiscompanions,asconvinced her that the improvement ofmannerswhich she had yesterdaywitnessedhowevertemporaryitsexistencemightprove,hadatleastoutlivedoneday.Whenshesawhimthusseekingtheacquaintanceandcourtingthegoodopinionofpeoplewithwhomanyintercourseafewmonthsagowouldhavebeenadisgrace—whenshesawhimthuscivil,notonlytoherself,buttotheveryrelationswhomhehadopenlydis-dained,andrecollectedtheirlast livelysceneinHunsfordParsonage—thedifference,thechangewassogreat,andstrucksoforciblyonhermind,thatshecouldhardlyre-strain her astonishment from being visible.Never, even in the company of his dearfriendsatNetherfield,orhisdignified relations atRosings,had she seenhimsode-siroustoplease,sofreefromself-consequenceorunbendingreserve,asnow,whennoimportance could result from the success of his endeavours, andwhen even the ac-quaintance of those to whom his attentions were addressed would draw down theridiculeandcensureoftheladiesbothofNetherfieldandRosings.Theirvisitorsstayedwiththemabovehalf-an-hour;andwhentheyarosetodepart,

Mr.Darcycalledonhissister to joinhiminexpressingtheirwishofseeingMr.andMrs.Gardiner,andMissBennet,todinneratPemberley,beforetheyleftthecountry.MissDarcy,thoughwithadiffidencewhichmarkedherlittleinthehabitofgivingin-vitations,readilyobeyed.Mrs.Gardinerlookedatherniece,desirousofknowinghowshe,whomtheinvitationmostconcerned,feltdisposedastoitsacceptance,butEliza-bethhadturnedawayherhead.Presuminghowever,thatthisstudiedavoidancespokeratheramomentaryembarrassmentthananydislikeoftheproposal,andseeinginherhusband,whowasfondofsociety,aperfectwillingness toaccept it,sheventured toengageforherattendance,andthedayafterthenextwasfixedon.BingleyexpressedgreatpleasureinthecertaintyofseeingElizabethagain,having

stillagreatdealtosaytoher,andmanyinquiriestomakeafteralltheirHertfordshirefriends.Elizabeth,construingallthisintoawishofhearingherspeakofhersister,waspleased,andonthisaccount,aswellassomeothers,foundherself,whentheirvisitorsleft them, capable of considering the last half-hour with some satisfaction, thoughwhileitwaspassing,theenjoymentofithadbeenlittle.Eagertobealone,andfearfulofinquiriesorhintsfromheruncleandaunt,shestayedwiththemonlylongenoughtoheartheirfavourableopinionofBingley,andthenhurriedawaytodress.But she had no reason to fearMr. andMrs.Gardiner’s curiosity; itwas not their

wishtoforcehercommunication.Itwasevidentthatshewasmuchbetteracquainted

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withMr.Darcythantheyhadbeforeanyideaof;itwasevidentthathewasverymuchinlovewithher.Theysawmuchtointerest,butnothingtojustifyinquiry.OfMr.Darcyitwasnowamatterofanxietytothinkwell;and,asfarastheirac-

quaintancereached,therewasnofaulttofind.Theycouldnotbeuntouchedbyhispo-liteness;andhadtheydrawnhischaracterfromtheirownfeelingsandhisservant’sre-port,withoutanyreferencetoanyotheraccount,thecircleinHertfordshiretowhichhewasknownwouldnothave recognized it forMr.Darcy.Therewasnowan interest,however,inbelievingthehousekeeper;andtheysoonbecamesensiblethattheauthor-ityofaservantwhohadknownhimsincehewasfouryearsold,andwhoseownman-ners indicatedrespectability,wasnot tobehastilyrejected.Neitherhadanythingoc-curred in the intelligence of their Lambton friends that could materially lessen itsweight.Theyhadnothingtoaccusehimofbutpride;prideheprobablyhad,andifnot,itwouldcertainlybeimputedbytheinhabitantsofasmallmarket-townwherethefam-ily did not visit. Itwas acknowledged, however, that hewas a liberalman, and didmuchgoodamongthepoor.With respect toWickham, the travellers soon found that hewas not held there in

muchestimation;forthoughthechiefofhisconcernswiththesonofhispatronwereimperfectlyunderstood,itwasyetawell-knownfactthat,onhisquittingDerbyshire,hehadleftmanydebtsbehindhim,whichMr.Darcyafterwardsdischarged.As forElizabeth,her thoughtswereatPemberley this eveningmore than the last;

andtheevening,thoughasitpasseditseemedlong,wasnotlongenoughtodetermineherfeelingstowardsoneinthatmansion;andshelayawaketwowholehoursendeav-ouringtomakethemout.Shecertainlydidnothatehim.No;hatredhadvanishedlongago,andshehadalmostas longbeenashamedofever feelingadislikeagainsthim,thatcouldbesocalled.Therespectcreatedbytheconvictionofhisvaluablequalities,thoughatfirstunwillinglyadmitted,hadforsometimeceasedtoberepugnanttoherfeeling;anditwasnowheightenedintosomewhatofafriendliernature,bythetesti-mony so highly in his favour, and bringing forward his disposition in so amiable alight,whichyesterdayhadproduced.But above all, above respect and esteem, therewasamotivewithinherofgoodwillwhichcouldnotbeoverlooked.Itwasgratitude;gratitude,notmerelyforhavingoncelovedher,butforlovingherstillwellenoughtoforgiveallthepetulanceandacrimonyofhermannerinrejectinghim,andalltheun-justaccusationsaccompanyingherrejection.Hewho,shehadbeenpersuaded,wouldavoidherashisgreatestenemy,seemed,onthisaccidentalmeeting,mosteagertopre-servetheacquaintance,andwithoutanyindelicatedisplayofregard,oranypeculiarityofmanner,wheretheirtwoselvesonlywereconcerned,wassolicitingthegoodopin-ionofherfriends,andbentonmakingherknowntohissister.Suchachangeinamanof so much pride exciting not only astonishment but gratitude—for to love, ardentlove,itmustbeattributed;andassuchitsimpressiononherwasofasorttobeencour-

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aged, as by no means unpleasing, though it could not be exactly defined. She re-spected,sheesteemed,shewasgrateful tohim,shefeltareal interest inhiswelfare;andsheonlywantedtoknowhowfarshewishedthatwelfaretodependuponherself,andhowfaritwouldbeforthehappinessofboththatsheshouldemploythepower,whichherfancytoldhershestillpossessed,ofbringingonhertherenewalofhisad-dresses.Ithadbeensettledintheeveningbetweentheauntandtheniece,thatsuchastriking

civilityasMissDarcy’sincomingtoseethemontheverydayofherarrivalatPem-berley,forshehadreacheditonlytoalatebreakfast,oughttobeimitated, thoughitcouldnotbeequalled,bysomeexertionofpolitenessontheirside;and,consequently,thatitwouldbehighlyexpedienttowaitonheratPemberleythefollowingmorning.Theywere,therefore,togo.Elizabethwaspleased;thoughwhensheaskedherselfthereason,shehadverylittletosayinreply.Mr.Gardinerleftthemsoonafterbreakfast.Thefishingschemehadbeenrenewed

thedaybefore,andapositiveengagementmadeofhismeetingsomeofthegentlemenatPemberleybeforenoon.

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ConvincedasElizabethnowwasthatMissBingley’sdislikeofherhadoriginatedinjealousy,shecouldnothelpfeelinghowunwelcomeherappearanceatPemberleymustbetoher,andwascurioustoknowwithhowmuchcivilityonthatlady’ssidetheac-quaintancewouldnowberenewed.On reaching the house, theywere shown through the hall into the saloon,whose

northernaspectrendereditdelightfulforsummer.Itswindowsopeningtotheground,admittedamostrefreshingviewofthehighwoodyhillsbehindthehouse,andofthebeautifuloaksandSpanishchestnutswhichwerescatteredovertheintermediatelawn.In this house theywere receivedbyMissDarcy,whowas sitting therewithMrs.

HurstandMissBingley,andtheladywithwhomshelivedinLondon.Georgiana’sre-ceptionofthemwasverycivil,butattendedwithalltheembarrassmentwhich,thoughproceedingfromshynessandthefearofdoingwrong,wouldeasilygivetothosewhofeltthemselvesinferiorthebeliefofherbeingproudandreserved.Mrs.Gardinerandherniece,however,didherjustice,andpitiedher.ByMrs.HurstandMissBingleytheywerenoticedonlybyacurtsey;and,ontheir

beingseated,apause,awkwardassuchpausesmustalwaysbe,succeededfora fewmoments.ItwasfirstbrokenbyMrs.Annesley,agenteel,agreeable-lookingwoman,whose endeavour to introduce some kind of discourse proved her to be more trulywell-bred than either of the others; and between her andMrs. Gardiner, with occa-sionalhelpfromElizabeth, theconversationwascarriedon.MissDarcylookedas ifshewished for courageenough to join in it; and sometimesdidventurea short sen-tencewhentherewasleastdangerofitsbeingheard.ElizabethsoonsawthatshewasherselfcloselywatchedbyMissBingley,andthat

she couldnot speak aword, especially toMissDarcy,without callingher attention.This observationwould not have prevented her from trying to talk to the latter, hadtheynotbeenseatedataninconvenientdistance;butshewasnotsorrytobesparedthenecessityofsayingmuch.Herownthoughtswereemployingher.Sheexpectedeverymomentthatsomeofthegentlemenwouldentertheroom.Shewished,shefearedthatthemasterofthehousemightbeamongstthem;andwhethershewishedorfeareditmost, shecouldscarcelydetermine.After sitting in thismanneraquarterofanhour

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withouthearingMissBingley’svoice,Elizabethwas rousedby receiving fromheracoldinquiryafter thehealthofherfamily.Sheansweredwithequal indifferenceandbrevity,andtheothersaidnomore.Thenextvariationwhich theirvisitaffordedwasproducedby theentranceofser-

vantswithcoldmeat,cake,andavarietyofallthefinestfruitsinseason;butthisdidnottakeplacetillaftermanyasignificantlookandsmilefromMrs.AnnesleytoMissDarcyhadbeengiven,toremindherofherpost.Therewasnowemploymentforthewholeparty—for though theycouldnotall talk, theycouldalleat;and thebeautifulpyramidsofgrapes,nectarines,andpeachessooncollectedthemroundthetable.Whilethusengaged,Elizabethhadafairopportunityofdecidingwhethershemost

fearedorwishedfortheappearanceofMr.Darcy,bythefeelingswhichprevailedonhis entering the room; and then, though but amoment before she had believed herwishestopredominate,shebegantoregretthathecame.HehadbeensometimewithMr.Gardiner,who,withtwoorthreeothergentlemen

fromthehouse,wasengagedbytheriver,andhadlefthimonlyonlearningthat theladiesofthefamilyintendedavisittoGeorgianathatmorning.Nosoonerdidheap-pearthanElizabethwiselyresolvedtobeperfectlyeasyandunembarrassed;aresolu-tionthemorenecessarytobemade,butperhapsnotthemoreeasilykept,becauseshesawthatthesuspicionsofthewholepartywereawakenedagainstthem,andthattherewas scarcely an eyewhichdid notwatchhis behaviourwhenhe first came into theroom.InnocountenancewasattentivecuriositysostronglymarkedasinMissBing-ley’s,inspiteofthesmileswhichoverspreadherfacewhenevershespoketooneofitsobjects;forjealousyhadnotyetmadeherdesperate,andherattentionstoMr.Darcywerebynomeansover.MissDarcy,onherbrother’sentrance,exertedherselfmuchmoretotalk,andElizabethsawthathewasanxiousforhissisterandherselftogetac-quainted,andforwardedasmuchaspossible,everyattemptatconversationoneitherside.MissBingleysawallthislikewise;and,intheimprudenceofanger,tookthefirstopportunityofsaying,withsneeringcivility:“Pray,MissEliza,arenotthe——shireMilitiaremovedfromMeryton?Theymust

beagreatlosstoyourfamily.”InDarcy’spresenceshedarednotmentionWickham’sname;butElizabethinstantly

comprehended that hewas uppermost in her thoughts; and the various recollectionsconnectedwithhimgaveher amoment’sdistress;but exertingherselfvigorously torepeltheill-naturedattack,shepresentlyansweredthequestioninatolerablydetachedtone.While she spoke, an involuntary glance showed herDarcy, with a heightenedcomplexion,earnestlylookingather,andhissisterovercomewithconfusion,andun-ableto liftuphereyes.HadMissBingleyknownwhatpainshewasthengivingherbeloved friend, she undoubtedly would have refrained from the hint; but she hadmerely intended to discompose Elizabeth by bringing forward the idea of aman to

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whomshebelievedherpartial,tomakeherbetrayasensibilitywhichmightinjureherinDarcy’sopinion,and,perhaps,toremindthelatterofallthefolliesandabsurditiesbywhichsomepartofherfamilywereconnectedwiththatcorps.NotasyllablehadeverreachedherofMissDarcy’smeditatedelopement.Tonocreaturehaditbeenre-vealed,wheresecrecywaspossible,except toElizabeth;andfromallBingley’scon-nectionsherbrotherwasparticularlyanxioustoconcealit,fromtheverywishwhichElizabethhadlongagoattributedtohim,oftheirbecominghereafterherown.Hehadcertainlyformedsuchaplan,andwithoutmeaningthatitshouldaffecthisendeavourto separate him fromMissBennet, it is probable that itmight add something to hislivelyconcernforthewelfareofhisfriend.Elizabeth’s collected behaviour, however, soon quieted his emotion; and asMiss

Bingley,vexedanddisappointed,darednot approachnearer toWickham,Georgianaalsorecoveredintime,thoughnotenoughtobeabletospeakanymore.Herbrother,whose eye she feared tomeet, scarcely recollected her interest in the affair, and thevery circumstance which had been designed to turn his thoughts from Elizabethseemedtohavefixedthemonhermoreandmorecheerfully.Theirvisitdidnotcontinuelongafterthequestionandanswerabovementioned;and

whileMr.Darcywas attending them to their carriageMissBingleywasventingherfeelings in criticisms on Elizabeth’s person, behaviour, and dress. But Georgianawouldnot joinher.Herbrother’s recommendationwasenough toensureher favour;hisjudgementcouldnoterr.AndhehadspokeninsuchtermsofElizabethastoleaveGeorgianawithoutthepoweroffindingherotherwisethanlovelyandamiable.WhenDarcyreturnedtothesaloon,MissBingleycouldnothelprepeatingtohimsomepartofwhatshehadbeensayingtohissister.“HowveryillMissElizaBennetlooksthismorning,Mr.Darcy,”shecried;“Inever

inmy life saw anyone somuch altered as she is since thewinter. She is grown sobrown and coarse! Louisa and I were agreeing that we should not have known heragain.”However littleMr.Darcymight have liked such an address, he contentedhimself

withcoollyreplyingthatheperceivednootheralterationthanherbeingrathertanned,nomiraculousconsequenceoftravellinginthesummer.“Formyownpart,”sherejoined,“ImustconfessthatInevercouldseeanybeauty

inher.Herfaceistoothin;hercomplexionhasnobrilliancy;andherfeaturesarenotatallhandsome.Hernosewantscharacter—there isnothingmarked in its lines.Herteethare tolerable,butnotoutof thecommonway;andas forhereyes,whichhavesometimesbeencalledsofine,Icouldneverseeanythingextraordinaryinthem.Theyhaveasharp,shrewishlook,whichIdonotlikeatall;andinherairaltogetherthereisaself-sufficiencywithoutfashion,whichisintolerable.”

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PersuadedasMissBingleywasthatDarcyadmiredElizabeth,thiswasnotthebestmethodofrecommendingherself;butangrypeoplearenotalwayswise;andinseeinghimat last looksomewhatnettled,shehadall thesuccesssheexpected.Hewasres-olutelysilent,however,and,fromadeterminationofmakinghimspeak,shecontinued:“Iremember,whenwefirstknewherinHertfordshire,howamazedweallwereto

findthatshewasareputedbeauty;andIparticularlyrecollectyoursayingonenight,after they hadbeendining atNetherfield, ‘She a beauty!—I should as soon call hermotherawit.’Butafterwardssheseemedtoimproveonyou,andIbelieveyouthoughtherratherprettyatonetime.”“Yes,”repliedDarcy,whocouldcontainhimselfnolonger,“butthatwasonlywhen

Ifirstsawher,foritismanymonthssinceIhaveconsideredherasoneofthehand-somestwomenofmyacquaintance.”He then went away, and Miss Bingley was left to all the satisfaction of having

forcedhimtosaywhatgavenooneanypainbutherself.Mrs.GardinerandElizabethtalkedofallthathadoccurredduringtheirvisit,asthey

returned,exceptwhathadparticularlyinterestedthemboth.Thelookandbehaviourofeverybodytheyhadseenwerediscussed,exceptofthepersonwhohadmostlyengagedtheirattention.Theytalkedofhissister,hisfriends,hishouse,hisfruit—ofeverythingbuthimself;yetElizabethwas longing toknowwhatMrs.Gardiner thoughtofhim,andMrs.Gardinerwouldhavebeenhighlygratifiedbyherniece’sbeginningthesub-ject.

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Elizabeth had been a good deal disappointed in not finding a letter from Jane ontheirfirstarrivalatLambton;andthisdisappointmenthadbeenrenewedoneachofthemornings thathadnowbeenspent there;buton the thirdher repiningwasover,andhersisterjustified,bythereceiptoftwolettersfromheratonce,ononeofwhichwasmarked that ithadbeenmissentelsewhere.Elizabethwasnotsurprisedat it,asJanehadwrittenthedirectionremarkablyill.Theyhadjustbeenpreparingtowalkastheletterscamein;andheruncleandaunt,

leavinghertoenjoytheminquiet,setoffbythemselves.Theonemissentmustfirstbeattendedto;ithadbeenwrittenfivedaysago.Thebeginningcontainedanaccountofalltheirlittlepartiesandengagements,withsuchnewsasthecountryafforded;butthelatterhalf,whichwasdatedadaylater,andwritteninevidentagitation,gavemoreim-portantintelligence.Itwastothiseffect:“Sincewriting the above, dearest Lizzy, something has occurred of amost unex-

pectedandseriousnature;butIamafraidofalarmingyou—beassuredthatweareallwell.WhatIhavetosayrelatestopoorLydia.Anexpresscameattwelvelastnight,justaswewereallgonetobed,fromColonelForster,toinformusthatshewasgoneofftoScotlandwithoneofhisofficers;toownthetruth,withWickham!Imagineoursurprise.ToKitty,however, itdoesnotseemsowhollyunexpected. Iamvery,verysorry.Soimprudentamatchonbothsides!ButIamwillingtohopethebest,andthathischaracterhasbeenmisunderstood.ThoughtlessandindiscreetIcaneasilybelievehim,butthisstep(andletusrejoiceoverit)marksnothingbadatheart.Hischoiceisdisinterested at least, for he must know my father can give her nothing. Our poormotherissadlygrieved.Myfatherbearsitbetter.HowthankfulamIthatweneverletthemknowwhathasbeensaidagainsthim;wemustforgetitourselves.TheywereoffSaturday night about twelve, as is conjectured, but were not missed till yesterdaymorning at eight.The expresswas sent off directly.MydearLizzy, theymust havepassedwithintenmilesofus.ColonelForstergivesusreasontoexpecthimheresoon.Lydialeftafewlinesforhiswife,informingheroftheirintention.Imustconclude,forIcannotbelongfrommypoormother.Iamafraidyouwillnotbeabletomakeitout,butIhardlyknowwhatIhavewritten.”Withoutallowingherselftimeforconsideration,andscarcelyknowingwhatshefelt,

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Elizabethonfinishingthisletterinstantlyseizedtheother,andopeningitwiththeut-mostimpatience,readasfollows:ithadbeenwrittenadaylaterthantheconclusionofthefirst.“Bythistime,mydearestsister,youhavereceivedmyhurriedletter;Iwishthismay

bemoreintelligible,butthoughnotconfinedfortime,myheadissobewilderedthatIcannotanswer forbeingcoherent.DearestLizzy, Ihardlyknowwhat Iwouldwrite,butIhavebadnewsforyou,anditcannotbedelayed.Imprudentasthemarriagebe-tweenMr.WickhamandourpoorLydiawouldbe,wearenowanxioustobeassuredithastakenplace,forthereisbuttoomuchreasontofeartheyarenotgonetoScotland.ColonelForstercameyesterday,havingleftBrightonthedaybefore,notmanyhoursaftertheexpress.ThoughLydia’sshortlettertoMrs.F.gavethemtounderstandthattheyweregoingtoGretnaGreen,somethingwasdroppedbyDennyexpressinghisbe-liefthatW.neverintendedtogothere,ortomarryLydiaatall,whichwasrepeatedtoColonel F., who, instantly taking the alarm, set off fromB. intending to trace theirroute.HedidtracethemeasilytoClapham,butnofurther;foronenteringthatplace,theyremovedintoahackneycoach,anddismissedthechaisethatbroughtthemfromEpsom.Allthatisknownafterthisis,thattheywereseentocontinuetheLondonroad.Iknownotwhat to think.Aftermakingeverypossible inquiryon that sideLondon,ColonelF.cameon intoHertfordshire,anxiouslyrenewing thematall the turnpikes,andat the inns inBarnetandHatfield,butwithoutanysuccess—nosuchpeoplehadbeen seen topass through.With thekindest concernhe cameon toLongbourn, andbrokehisapprehensionstousinamannermostcreditabletohisheart.IamsincerelygrievedforhimandMrs.F.,butnoonecanthrowanyblameonthem.Ourdistress,mydearLizzy,isverygreat.Myfatherandmotherbelievetheworst,butIcannotthinksoillofhim.Manycircumstancesmightmakeitmoreeligibleforthemtobemarriedpri-vatelyintownthantopursuetheirfirstplan;andevenifhecouldformsuchadesignagainstayoungwomanofLydia’sconnections,whichisnotlikely,canIsupposehersolosttoeverything?Impossible!Igrievetofind,however,thatColonelF.isnotdis-posedtodependupontheirmarriage;heshookhisheadwhenIexpressedmyhopes,andsaidhefearedW.wasnotamantobetrusted.Mypoormotherisreallyill,andkeepsher room.Couldsheexertherself, itwouldbebetter;but this isnot tobeex-pected.Andas tomy father, I never inmy life sawhimsoaffected.PoorKittyhasangerforhavingconcealedtheirattachment;butasitwasamatterofconfidence,onecannotwonder.Iamtrulyglad,dearestLizzy,thatyouhavebeensparedsomethingofthesedistressingscenes;butnow,asthefirstshockisover,shallIownthatIlongforyourreturn?Iamnotsoselfish,however,astopressforit,ifinconvenient.Adieu!ItakeupmypenagaintodowhatIhavejusttoldyouIwouldnot;butcircumstancesaresuchthatIcannothelpearnestlybeggingyoualltocomehereassoonaspossible.Iknowmydearuncleandauntsowell, that Iamnotafraidof requesting it, thoughIhave still somethingmore to ask of the former.My father is going to Londonwith

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ColonelForsterinstantly,totrytodiscoverher.WhathemeanstodoIamsureIknownot;buthisexcessivedistresswillnotallowhimtopursueanymeasureinthebestandsafestway,andColonelForsterisobligedtobeatBrightonagainto-morrowevening.In such an exigence, my uncle’s advice and assistance would be everything in theworld;hewill immediately comprehendwhat Imust feel, and I relyuponhisgood-ness.”“Oh!where,whereismyuncle?”criedElizabeth,dartingfromherseatasshefin-

ished the letter, in eagerness to followhim,without losingamomentof the time soprecious;butasshereachedthedoor itwasopenedbyaservant,andMr.Darcyap-peared.Herpalefaceandimpetuousmannermadehimstart,andbeforehecouldre-coverhimselftospeak,she,inwhosemindeveryideawassupersededbyLydia’ssitu-ation,hastilyexclaimed,“Ibegyourpardon,butImustleaveyou.ImustfindMr.Gar-dinerthismoment,onbusinessthatcannotbedelayed;Ihavenotaninstanttolose.”“GoodGod!what is thematter?”criedhe,withmorefeelingthanpoliteness; then

recollectinghimself,“Iwillnotdetainyouaminute;butletme,orlettheservantgoafterMr.andMrs.Gardiner.Youarenotwellenough;youcannotgoyourself.”Elizabethhesitated,butherkneestrembledunderherandshefelthowlittlewould

begainedbyher attempting topursue them.Callingback the servant, therefore, shecommissionedhim, thoughinsobreathlessanaccentasmadeheralmostunintelligi-ble,tofetchhismasterandmistresshomeinstantly.On his quitting the room she sat down, unable to support herself, and looking so

miserablyill,thatitwasimpossibleforDarcytoleaveher,ortorefrainfromsaying,inatoneofgentlenessandcommiseration,“Letmecallyourmaid.Istherenothingyoucould take togiveyoupresent relief?Aglassofwine; shall Igetyouone?Youareveryill.”“No, I thankyou,”she replied,endeavouring to recoverherself.“There isnothing

thematterwithme.Iamquitewell;IamonlydistressedbysomedreadfulnewswhichIhavejustreceivedfromLongbourn.”Sheburstintotearsasshealludedtoit,andforafewminutescouldnotspeakan-

otherword.Darcy,inwretchedsuspense,couldonlysaysomethingindistinctlyofhisconcern,andobserveherincompassionatesilence.Atlengthshespokeagain.“IhavejusthadaletterfromJane,withsuchdreadfulnews.Itcannotbeconcealedfromany-one.Myyoungersisterhasleftallherfriends—haseloped;hasthrownherselfintothepowerof—ofMr.Wickham.TheyaregoneofftogetherfromBrighton.Youknowhimtoowelltodoubttherest.Shehasnomoney,noconnections,nothingthatcantempthimto—sheislostforever.”Darcywasfixedinastonishment.“WhenIconsider,”sheaddedinayetmoreagi-

tatedvoice,“thatImighthavepreventedit!Iwhoknewwhathewas.HadIbutex-

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plainedsomepartofitonly—somepartofwhatIlearnt, tomyownfamily!Hadhischaracterbeenknown,thiscouldnothavehappened.Butitisall—alltoolatenow.”“I am grieved indeed,” cried Darcy; “grieved—shocked. But is it certain—ab-

solutelycertain?”“Oh,yes!They leftBrighton togetheronSundaynight,andwere tracedalmost to

London,butnotbeyond;theyarecertainlynotgonetoScotland.”“Andwhathasbeendone,whathasbeenattempted,torecoverher?”“MyfatherisgonetoLondon,andJanehaswrittentobegmyuncle’simmediateas-

sistance;andweshallbeoff,Ihope,inhalf-an-hour.Butnothingcanbedone—Iknowverywellthatnothingcanbedone.Howissuchamantobeworkedon?Howaretheyeventobediscovered?Ihavenotthesmallesthope.Itiseverywayhorrible!”Darcyshookhisheadinsilentacquiescence.“Whenmyeyeswereopenedtohisrealcharacter—Oh!hadIknownwhatIought,

what I dared to do! But I knew not—I was afraid of doing too much. Wretched,wretchedmistake!”Darcymadenoanswer.He seemed scarcely tohearher, andwaswalkingupand

down the room inearnestmeditation,hisbrowcontracted,hisairgloomy.Elizabethsoonobserved, and instantly understood it.Her powerwas sinking; everythingmustsinkundersuchaproofoffamilyweakness,suchanassuranceofthedeepestdisgrace.She could neither wonder nor condemn, but the belief of his self-conquest broughtnothingconsolatorytoherbosom,affordednopalliationofherdistress.Itwas,onthecontrary,exactlycalculatedtomakeherunderstandherownwishes;andneverhadshesohonestlyfeltthatshecouldhavelovedhim,asnow,whenalllovemustbevain.Butself,thoughitwouldintrude,couldnotengrossher.Lydia—thehumiliation,the

miseryshewasbringingonthemall,soonswallowedupeveryprivatecare;andcover-ing her facewith her handkerchief, Elizabethwas soon lost to everything else; and,afterapauseof severalminutes,wasonly recalled toa senseofher situationby thevoiceofhercompanion,who,inamannerwhich,thoughitspokecompassion,spokelikewiserestraint,said,“Iamafraidyouhavebeenlongdesiringmyabsence,norhaveIanythingtopleadinexcuseofmystay,butreal,thoughunavailingconcern.WouldtoHeaventhatanythingcouldbeeithersaidordoneonmypartthatmightofferconsola-tion to suchdistress!But Iwill not torment youwithvainwishes,whichmay seempurposely toaskforyour thanks.Thisunfortunateaffairwill, I fear,preventmysis-ter’shavingthepleasureofseeingyouatPemberleyto-day.”“Oh,yes.BesokindastoapologiseforustoMissDarcy.Saythaturgentbusiness

callsushomeimmediately.Concealtheunhappytruthaslongasitispossible,Iknowitcannotbelong.”He readilyassuredherofhis secrecy; againexpressedhis sorrow forherdistress,

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wisheditahappierconclusionthantherewasatpresentreasontohope,andleavinghiscomplimentsforherrelations,withonlyoneserious,partinglook,wentaway.Ashequittedtheroom,Elizabethfelthowimprobableitwasthattheyshouldever

seeeachotheragainonsuchtermsofcordialityashadmarkedtheirseveralmeetingsinDerbyshire;andasshethrewaretrospectiveglanceoverthewholeoftheiracquain-tance,sofullofcontradictionsandvarieties,sighedattheperversenessofthosefeel-ingswhichwouldnowhavepromoted its continuance, andwould formerlyhave re-joicedinitstermination.Ifgratitudeandesteemaregoodfoundationsofaffection,Elizabeth’schangeofsen-

timent will be neither improbable nor faulty. But if otherwise—if regard springingfromsuchsourcesisunreasonableorunnatural,incomparisonofwhatissooftende-scribedasarisingonafirstinterviewwithitsobject,andevenbeforetwowordshavebeenexchanged,nothingcanbesaidinherdefence,exceptthatshehadgivensome-whatofatrialtothelattermethodinherpartialityforWickham,andthatitsillsuccessmight,perhaps,authorisehertoseektheotherlessinterestingmodeofattachment.Bethatasitmay,shesawhimgowithregret;andinthisearlyexampleofwhatLydia’sinfamymustproduce,foundadditionalanguishasshereflectedonthatwretchedbusi-ness.Never, since reading Jane’s second letter,had sheentertainedahopeofWick-ham’smeaningtomarryher.NoonebutJane,shethought,couldflatterherselfwithsuchanexpectation.Surprisewastheleastofherfeelingsonthisdevelopment.Whilethecontentsofthefirstletterremainedinhermind,shewasallsurprise—allastonish-ment thatWickhamshouldmarryagirlwhom itwas impossiblehecouldmarry formoney;andhowLydiacouldeverhaveattachedhimhadappearedincomprehensible.Butnowitwasalltoonatural.Forsuchanattachmentasthisshemighthavesufficientcharms;andthoughshedidnotsupposeLydiatobedeliberatelyengaginginanelope-mentwithouttheintentionofmarriage,shehadnodifficultyinbelievingthatneitherhervirtuenorherunderstandingwouldpreserveherfromfallinganeasyprey.Shehadneverperceived,while the regimentwas inHertfordshire, thatLydiahad

anypartialityforhim;butshewasconvincedthatLydiawantedonlyencouragementtoattach herself to anybody. Sometimes one officer, sometimes another, had been herfavourite,astheirattentionsraisedtheminheropinion.Heraffectionshadcontinuallybeenfluctuatingbutneverwithoutanobject.Themischiefofneglectandmistakenin-dulgencetowardssuchagirl—oh!howacutelydidshenowfeelit!Shewaswildtobeathome—tohear,tosee,tobeuponthespottosharewithJane

inthecaresthatmustnowfallwhollyuponher,inafamilysoderanged,afatherab-sent,amotherincapableofexertion,andrequiringconstantattendance;andthoughal-mostpersuadedthatnothingcouldbedoneforLydia,heruncle’sinterferenceseemedoftheutmostimportance,andtillheenteredtheroomherimpatiencewassevere.Mr.andMrs.Gardinerhadhurriedbackinalarm,supposingbytheservant’saccountthat

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theirniecewastakensuddenlyill;butsatisfyingtheminstantlyonthathead,sheea-gerly communicated the cause of their summons, reading the two letters aloud, anddwelling on the postscript of the last with trembling energy.— Though Lydia hadneverbeenafavouritewiththem,Mr.andMrs.Gardinercouldnotbutbedeeplyaf-flicted.NotLydiaonly,butallwereconcernedinit;andafterthefirstexclamationsofsurpriseandhorror,Mr.Gardinerpromisedeveryassistance inhispower.Elizabeth,thoughexpectingnoless,thankedhimwithtearsofgratitude;andallthreebeingactu-atedbyonespirit,everythingrelatingtotheirjourneywasspeedilysettled.Theyweretobeoffassoonaspossible.“Butwhat is tobedoneaboutPemberley?”criedMrs.Gardiner.“JohntoldusMr.Darcywasherewhenyousentforus;wasitso?”“Yes;andItoldhimweshouldnotbeabletokeepourengagement.Thatisallset-

tled.”“Whatisallsettled?”repeatedtheother,assheranintoherroomtoprepare.“And

aretheyuponsuchtermsasforhertodisclosetherealtruth?Oh,thatIknewhowitwas!”Butwisheswerevain,oratleastcouldonlyservetoamuseherinthehurryandcon-

fusionofthefollowinghour.HadElizabethbeenatleisuretobeidle,shewouldhaveremainedcertainthatallemploymentwasimpossibletoonesowretchedasherself;butshehadhershareofbusinessaswellasheraunt,andamongsttheresttherewerenotestobewrittentoalltheirfriendsatLambton,withfalseexcusesfortheirsuddendepar-ture.Anhour,however,sawthewholecompleted;andMr.Gardinermeanwhilehav-ingsettledhisaccountattheinn,nothingremainedtobedonebuttogo;andElizabeth,afterall themiseryofthemorning,foundherself, inashorterspaceoftimethanshecouldhavesupposed,seatedinthecarriage,andontheroadtoLongbourn.

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“Ihavebeenthinkingitoveragain,Elizabeth,”saidheruncle,as theydrovefromthetown;“andreally,uponseriousconsideration,IammuchmoreinclinedthanIwastojudgeasyoureldestsisterdoesonthematter.Itappearstomesoveryunlikelythatanyyoungmanshouldformsuchadesignagainstagirlwhoisbynomeansunpro-tected or friendless, andwhowas actually staying in his colonel’s family, that I amstronglyinclinedtohopethebest.Couldheexpectthatherfriendswouldnotstepfor-ward?Couldhe expect tobenoticed againby the regiment, after such an affront toColonelForster?Histemptationisnotadequatetotherisk!”“Doyoureallythinkso?”criedElizabeth,brighteningupforamoment.“Uponmyword,”saidMrs.Gardiner,“Ibegintobeofyouruncle’sopinion.Itisre-

ally toogreat a violationofdecency, honour, and interest, for him tobeguiltyof. IcannotthinksoveryillofWickham.Canyouyourself,Lizzy,sowhollygivehimup,astobelievehimcapableofit?”“Not,perhaps,ofneglectinghisown interest;butofeveryotherneglect I canbe-

lievehimcapable.If,indeed,itshouldbeso!ButIdarenothopeit.WhyshouldtheynotgoontoScotlandifthathadbeenthecase?”“In the firstplace,” repliedMr.Gardiner,“there isnoabsoluteproof that theyare

notgonetoScotland.”“Oh!but their removing from thechaise intoahackneycoach is suchapresump-

tion!And,besides,notracesofthemweretobefoundontheBarnetroad.”“Well, then—supposing themtobe inLondon.Theymaybe there, thoughfor the

purposeofconcealment,fornomoreexceptionalpurpose.It isnot likelythatmoneyshould be very abundant on either side; and itmight strike them that they could bemoreeconomically,thoughlessexpeditiously,marriedinLondonthaninScotland.”“Butwhyallthissecrecy?Whyanyfearofdetection?Whymusttheirmarriagebe

private?Oh,no,no—thisisnotlikely.Hismostparticularfriend,youseebyJane’sac-count,waspersuadedofhisneverintendingtomarryher.Wickhamwillnevermarryawomanwithoutsomemoney.Hecannotaffordit.AndwhatclaimshasLydia—whatattractionhasshebeyondyouth,health,andgoodhumourthatcouldmakehim,forhersake,foregoeverychanceofbenefitinghimselfbymarryingwell?Astowhatrestraint

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theapprehensionsofdisgraceinthecorpsmightthrowonadishonourableelopementwith her, I am not able to judge; for I know nothing of the effects that such a stepmight produce.But as to your other objection, I am afraid itwill hardly hold good.Lydiahasnobrotherstostepforward;andhemightimagine,frommyfather’sbehav-iour,fromhisindolenceandthelittleattentionhehaseverseemedtogivetowhatwasgoingforwardinhisfamily, thathewoulddoas little,and thinkas littleabout it,asanyfathercoulddo,insuchamatter.”“ButcanyouthinkthatLydiaissolosttoeverythingbutloveofhimastoconsent

tolivewithhimonanytermsotherthanmarriage?”“Itdoesseem,andit ismostshockingindeed,”repliedElizabeth,withtearsinher

eyes,“thatasister’ssenseofdecencyandvirtueinsuchapointshouldadmitofdoubt.But,really,Iknownotwhattosay.PerhapsIamnotdoingherjustice.Butsheisveryyoung; she has never been taught to thinkon serious subjects; and for the last half-year,nay, fora twelvemonth—shehasbeengivenup tonothingbutamusementandvanity.Shehasbeenallowedtodisposeofhertimeinthemostidleandfrivolousman-ner, and to adopt anyopinions that came inherway.Since the——shirewere firstquarteredinMeryton,nothingbutlove,flirtation,andofficershavebeeninherhead.Shehasbeendoingeverythinginherpowerbythinkingandtalkingonthesubject,togive greater—what shall I call it? susceptibility to her feelings; which are naturallylivelyenough.AndweallknowthatWickhamhaseverycharmofpersonandaddressthatcancaptivateawoman.”“ButyouseethatJane,”saidheraunt,“doesnotthinksoveryillofWickhamasto

believehimcapableoftheattempt.”“OfwhomdoesJaneeverthinkill?Andwhoisthere,whatevermightbetheirfor-

mer conduct, that she would think capable of such an attempt, till it were provedagainstthem?ButJaneknows,aswellasIdo,whatWickhamreallyis.Webothknowthathehasbeenprofligateineverysenseoftheword;thathehasneitherintegritynorhonour;thatheisasfalseanddeceitfulasheisinsinuating.”“Anddoyoureallyknowall this?”criedMrs.Gardiner,whosecuriosityas to the

modeofherintelligencewasallalive.“Ido indeed,” repliedElizabeth,colouring.“I toldyou, theotherday,ofhis infa-

mous behaviour toMr. Darcy; and you yourself, when last at Longbourn, heard inwhatmannerhespokeofthemanwhohadbehavedwithsuchforbearanceandliberal-itytowardshim.AndthereareothercircumstanceswhichIamnotatliberty—whichitisnotworthwhiletorelate;buthisliesaboutthewholePemberleyfamilyareendless.FromwhathesaidofMissDarcyIwasthoroughlypreparedtoseeaproud,reserved,disagreeablegirl.Yetheknewtothecontraryhimself.Hemustknowthatshewasasamiableandunpretendingaswehavefoundher.”

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“ButdoesLydiaknownothingof this?can shebe ignorantofwhatyouand Janeseemsowelltounderstand?”“Oh,yes!—that,thatistheworstofall.TillIwasinKent,andsawsomuchbothof

Mr.DarcyandhisrelationColonelFitzwilliam,Iwasignorantofthetruthmyself.Andwhen I returnedhome, the——shirewas to leaveMeryton in aweekor fortnight’stime.Asthatwasthecase,neitherJane,towhomIrelatedthewhole,norI,thoughtitnecessarytomakeourknowledgepublic;forofwhatusecoulditapparentlybetoanyone, that the good opinionwhich all the neighbourhood had of him should then beoverthrown?AndevenwhenitwassettledthatLydiashouldgowithMrs.Forster,thenecessityofopeninghereyestohischaracterneveroccurredtome.Thatshecouldbeinanydangerfromthedeceptionneverenteredmyhead.Thatsuchaconsequenceasthiscouldensue,youmayeasilybelieve,wasfarenoughfrommythoughts.”“WhentheyallremovedtoBrighton,therefore,youhadnoreason,Isuppose,tobe-

lievethemfondofeachother?”“Nottheslightest.Icanremembernosymptomofaffectiononeitherside;andhad

anythingofthekindbeenperceptible,youmustbeawarethatoursisnotafamilyonwhichitcouldbethrownaway.Whenfirstheenteredthecorps,shewasreadyenoughtoadmirehim;butsoweallwere.EverygirlinornearMerytonwasoutofhersensesabouthimforthefirsttwomonths;butheneverdistinguishedherbyanyparticularat-tention;and,consequently,afteramoderateperiodofextravagantandwildadmiration,herfancyforhimgaveway,andothersoftheregiment,whotreatedherwithmoredis-tinction,againbecameherfavourites.”Itmaybeeasilybelieved,thathoweverlittleofnoveltycouldbeaddedtotheirfears,

hopes,andconjectures,onthisinterestingsubject,byitsrepeateddiscussion,noothercould detain them from it long, during the whole of the journey. From Elizabeth’sthoughtsitwasneverabsent.Fixedtherebythekeenestofallanguish,self-reproach,shecouldfindnointervalofeaseorforgetfulness.They travelled as expeditiously as possible, and, sleeping one night on the road,

reachedLongbournbydinnertimethenextday.ItwasacomforttoElizabethtocon-siderthatJanecouldnothavebeenweariedbylongexpectations.ThelittleGardiners,attractedbythesightofachaise,werestandingonthestepsof

thehouseastheyenteredthepaddock;and,whenthecarriagedroveuptothedoor,thejoyfulsurprisethatlighteduptheirfaces,anddisplayeditselfovertheirwholebodies,inavarietyofcapersandfrisks,wasthefirstpleasingearnestoftheirwelcome.Elizabeth jumpedout;and,aftergivingeachof themahastykiss,hurried into the

vestibule,whereJane,whocamerunningdownfromhermother’sapartment,immedi-atelymether.Elizabeth, as she affectionately embraced her,whilst tears filled the eyes of both,

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lostnotamomentinaskingwhetheranythinghadbeenheardofthefugitives.“Notyet,”repliedJane.“Butnowthatmydearuncleiscome,Ihopeeverythingwill

bewell.”“Ismyfatherintown?”“Yes,hewentonTuesday,asIwroteyouword.”“Andhaveyouheardfromhimoften?”“Wehaveheardonlytwice.HewrotemeafewlinesonWednesdaytosaythathe

hadarrivedinsafety,andtogivemehisdirections,whichIparticularlybeggedhimtodo.Hemerelyaddedthatheshouldnotwriteagaintillhehadsomethingofimportancetomention.”“Andmymother—howisshe?Howareyouall?”“Mymotheristolerablywell,Itrust;thoughherspiritsaregreatlyshaken.Sheisup

stairs andwill have great satisfaction in seeing you all. She does not yet leave herdressing-room.MaryandKitty,thankHeaven,arequitewell.”“But you—how are you?” cried Elizabeth. “You look pale.Howmuch youmust

havegonethrough!”Hersister,however,assuredherofherbeingperfectlywell;andtheirconversation,

whichhadbeenpassingwhileMr.andMrs.Gardinerwereengagedwiththeirchildren,wasnowputanendtobytheapproachofthewholeparty.Janerantoheruncleandaunt,andwelcomedandthankedthemboth,withalternatesmilesandtears.Whentheywereallinthedrawing-room,thequestionswhichElizabethhadalready

askedwereofcourserepeatedbytheothers,andtheysoonfoundthatJanehadnoin-telligencetogive.Thesanguinehopeofgood,however,whichthebenevolenceofherheartsuggestedhadnotyetdesertedher;shestillexpectedthatitwouldallendwell,andthateverymorningwouldbringsomeletter,eitherfromLydiaorherfather,toex-plaintheirproceedings,and,perhaps,announcetheirmarriage.Mrs.Bennet,towhoseapartmenttheyallrepaired,afterafewminutes’conversation

together, received themexactlyasmightbeexpected;with tearsand lamentationsofregret, invectives against the villainous conduct ofWickham, and complaints of herownsufferingsand ill-usage;blamingeverybodybut theperson towhose ill-judgingindulgencetheerrorsofherdaughtermustprincipallybeowing.“IfIhadbeenable,”saidshe,“tocarrymypointingoingtoBrighton,withallmy

family,thiswouldnothavehappened;butpoordearLydiahadnobodytotakecareofher.WhydidtheForsterseverlethergooutoftheirsight?Iamsuretherewassomegreatneglectorotherontheirside,forsheisnotthekindofgirltodosuchathingifshe had been well looked after. I always thought they were very unfit to have thechargeofher;butIwasoverruled,asIalwaysam.Poordearchild!Andnowhere’s

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Mr.Bennetgoneaway,andIknowhewillfightWickham,whereverhemeetshimandthenhewillbekilled,andwhatistobecomeofusall?TheCollinseswillturnusoutbeforeheiscoldinhisgrave,andifyouarenotkindtous,brother,Idonotknowwhatweshalldo.”Theyallexclaimedagainstsuchterrificideas;andMr.Gardiner,aftergeneralassur-

ancesofhisaffectionforherandallherfamily,toldherthathemeanttobeinLondonthe very next day, and would assist Mr. Bennet in every endeavour for recoveringLydia.“Donotgivewaytouselessalarm,”addedhe;“thoughitisrighttobepreparedfor

theworst,thereisnooccasiontolookonitascertain.ItisnotquiteaweeksincetheyleftBrighton.Inafewdaysmorewemaygainsomenewsofthem;andtillweknowthattheyarenotmarried,andhavenodesignofmarrying,donotletusgivethematteroveras lost.Assoonas Iget to townI shallgo tomybrother,andmakehimcomehomewithmetoGracechurchStreet;andthenwemayconsulttogetherastowhatistobedone.”“Oh!mydearbrother,”repliedMrs.Bennet,“thatisexactlywhatIcouldmostwish

for.Andnowdo,whenyougettotown,findthemout,wherevertheymaybe;andiftheyarenotmarriedalready,makethemmarry.Andasforweddingclothes,donotletthemwaitforthat,buttellLydiasheshallhaveasmuchmoneyasshechoosestobuythem,aftertheyaremarried.And,aboveall,keepMr.Bennetfromfighting.TellhimwhatadreadfulstateIamin,thatIamfrightedoutofmywits—andhavesuchtrem-blings, such flutterings,alloverme—suchspasms inmysideandpains inmyhead,andsuchbeatingsatheart,thatIcangetnorestbynightnorbyday.AndtellmydearLydianottogiveanydirectionsaboutherclothestillshehasseenme,forshedoesnotknowwhicharethebestwarehouses.Oh,brother,howkindyouare!Iknowyouwillcontriveitall.”But Mr. Gardiner, though he assured her again of his earnest endeavours in the

cause,couldnotavoidrecommendingmoderation toher,aswell inherhopesasherfear;andaftertalkingwithherinthismannertilldinnerwasonthetable,theyalllefther to vent all her feelings on the housekeeper,who attended in the absence of herdaughters.Thoughher brother and sisterwere persuaded that therewas no real occasion for

suchaseclusionfromthefamily,theydidnotattempttoopposeit,fortheyknewthatshehadnotprudenceenoughtoholdhertonguebeforetheservants,whiletheywaitedat table,and judged itbetter thatoneonlyof thehousehold,and theonewhomtheycouldmosttrustshouldcomprehendallherfearsandsolicitudeonthesubject.In the dining-room theywere soon joined byMary andKitty, who had been too

busilyengagedintheirseparateapartmentstomaketheirappearancebefore.Onecame

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fromherbooks,andtheotherfromhertoilette.Thefacesofboth,however,weretoler-ablycalm;andnochangewasvisibleineither,exceptthatthelossofherfavouritesis-ter,ortheangerwhichshehadherselfincurredinthisbusiness,hadgivenmoreoffret-fulnessthanusualtotheaccentsofKitty.AsforMary,shewasmistressenoughofher-self towhisper toElizabeth,with a countenance of grave reflection, soon after theywereseatedattable:“Thisisamostunfortunateaffair,andwillprobablybemuchtalkedof.Butwemust

stemthetideofmalice,andpourintothewoundedbosomsofeachotherthebalmofsisterlyconsolation.”Then,perceivinginElizabethnoinclinationofreplying,sheadded,“Unhappyasthe

eventmustbeforLydia,wemaydrawfromitthisusefullesson:thatlossofvirtueinafemaleisirretrievable;thatonefalsestepinvolvesherinendlessruin;thatherreputa-tionisnolessbrittlethanit isbeautiful;andthatshecannotbetoomuchguardedinherbehaviourtowardstheundeservingoftheothersex.”Elizabethlifteduphereyesinamazement,butwastoomuchoppressedtomakeany

reply.Mary,however,continuedtoconsoleherselfwithsuchkindofmoralextractionsfromtheevilbeforethem.In the afternoon, the two elderMissBennetswere able to be for half-an-hour by

themselves; andElizabeth instantlyavailedherselfof theopportunityofmakinganyinquiries,which Janewas equally eager to satisfy.After joining in general lamenta-tionsoverthedreadfulsequelofthisevent,whichElizabethconsideredasallbutcer-tain,andMissBennetcouldnotasserttobewhollyimpossible,theformercontinuedthesubject,bysaying,“ButtellmeallandeverythingaboutitwhichIhavenotalreadyheard.Givemefurtherparticulars.WhatdidColonelForstersay?Hadtheynoappre-hensionofanythingbefore theelopement tookplace?Theymusthaveseen themto-getherforever.”“ColonelForsterdidownthathehadoftensuspectedsomepartiality,especiallyon

Lydia’sside,butnothingtogivehimanyalarm.Iamsogrievedforhim!Hisbehav-iourwasattentiveandkindtotheutmost.Hewascomingtous,inordertoassureusofhisconcern,beforehehadanyideaoftheirnotbeinggonetoScotland:whenthatap-prehensionfirstgotabroad,ithastenedhisjourney.”“AndwasDennyconvincedthatWickhamwouldnotmarry?Didheknowoftheir

intendingtogooff?HadColonelForsterseenDennyhimself?”“Yes;but,whenquestionedbyhim,Dennydeniedknowinganythingoftheirplans,

andwouldnotgivehisrealopinionaboutit.Hedidnotrepeathispersuasionoftheirnotmarrying—and from that, I am inclined to hope, hemight have beenmisunder-stoodbefore.”“AndtillColonelForstercamehimself,notoneofyouentertainedadoubt, Isup-

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pose,oftheirbeingreallymarried?”“Howwasitpossiblethatsuchanideashouldenterourbrains?Ifeltalittleuneasy

—alittlefearfulofmysister’shappinesswithhiminmarriage,becauseIknewthathisconducthadnotbeenalwaysquiteright.Myfatherandmotherknewnothingofthat;theyonlyfelthowimprudentamatchitmustbe.Kittythenowned,withaverynaturaltriumphonknowingmore than the restofus, that inLydia’s last letter shehadpre-paredher forsuchastep.Shehadknown, it seems,of theirbeing in lovewitheachother,manyweeks.”“ButnotbeforetheywenttoBrighton?”“No,Ibelievenot.”“AnddidColonelForsterappeartothinkwellofWickhamhimself?Doesheknow

hisrealcharacter?”“ImustconfessthathedidnotspeaksowellofWickhamasheformerlydid.Hebe-

lievedhimtobeimprudentandextravagant.Andsincethissadaffairhastakenplace,itissaidthatheleftMerytongreatlyindebt;butIhopethismaybefalse.”“Oh,Jane,hadwebeenlesssecret,hadwetoldwhatweknewofhim,thiscouldnot

havehappened!”“Perhaps itwouldhavebeenbetter,” repliedher sister. “But to expose the former

faultsofanypersonwithoutknowingwhattheirpresentfeelingswere,seemedunjusti-fiable.Weactedwiththebestintentions.”“CouldColonelForsterrepeattheparticularsofLydia’snotetohiswife?”“Hebroughtitwithhimforustosee.”Jane then took it from her pocket-book, and gave it to Elizabeth. Thesewere the

contents:

“MydearHarriet,“YouwilllaughwhenyouknowwhereIamgone,andIcannothelplaughingmyself at your surprise to-morrowmorning, as soon as I ammissed. I amgoingtoGretnaGreen,andifyoucannotguesswithwho,Ishallthinkyouasimpleton,forthereisbutonemanintheworldIlove,andheisanangel.Ishouldneverbehappywithouthim,sothinkitnoharmtobeoff.YouneednotsendthemwordatLongbournofmygoing,ifyoudonotlikeit,foritwillmakethesurprisethegreater,whenIwritetothemandsignmyname‘LydiaWickham.’Whatagoodjokeitwillbe!Icanhardlywriteforlaughing.PraymakemyexcusestoPrattfornotkeepingmyengagement,anddancingwithhimto-night.TellhimIhopehewillexcusemewhenheknowsall;andtellhimIwilldancewithhimatthenextballwemeet,withgreatpleasure.IshallsendformyclotheswhenIgettoLongbourn;butIwishyouwouldtellSally

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tomend a great slit inmyworkedmuslin gownbefore they are packedup.Good-bye.GivemylovetoColonelForster.Ihopeyouwilldrinktoourgoodjourney.

“Youraffectionatefriend,“LYDIABENNET.”

“Oh! thoughtless, thoughtless Lydia!” cried Elizabeth when she had finished it.“Whataletteristhis,tobewrittenatsuchamoment!Butatleastitshowsthatshewasseriousonthesubjectoftheirjourney.Whateverhemightafterwardspersuadeherto,itwasnotonhersideaschemeofinfamy.Mypoorfather!howhemusthavefeltit!”“Ineversawanyonesoshocked.Hecouldnotspeakawordforfulltenminutes.My

motherwastakenillimmediately,andthewholehouseinsuchconfusion!”“Oh!Jane,”criedElizabeth,“wasthereaservantbelongingtoitwhodidnotknow

thewholestorybeforetheendoftheday?”“Idonotknow.Ihopetherewas.Buttobeguardedatsuchatimeisverydifficult.

Mymotherwasinhysterics,andthoughIendeavouredtogivehereveryassistanceinmypower,IamafraidIdidnotdosomuchasImighthavedone!Butthehorrorofwhatmightpossiblyhappenalmosttookfrommemyfaculties.”“Yourattendanceuponherhasbeen toomuchforyou.Youdonot lookwell.Oh

thatIhadbeenwithyou!youhavehadeverycareandanxietyuponyourselfalone.”“MaryandKittyhavebeenverykind,andwouldhavesharedineveryfatigue,Iam

sure; but I did not think it right for either of them.Kitty is slight and delicate; andMarystudiessomuch, thatherhoursofreposeshouldnotbebrokeninon.MyauntPhillipscametoLongbournonTuesday,aftermyfatherwentaway;andwassogoodastostaytillThursdaywithme.Shewasofgreatuseandcomforttousall.AndLadyLucashasbeenverykind;shewalkedhereonWednesdaymorningtocondolewithus,andofferedherservices,oranyofherdaughters’,iftheyshouldbeofusetous.”“Shehadbetterhavestayedathome,”criedElizabeth;“perhapsshemeantwell,but,

undersuchamisfortuneas this,onecannotsee too littleofone’sneighbours.Assis-tance is impossible;condolence insufferable.Let themtriumphoverusatadistance,andbesatisfied.”She thenproceeded to inquire into themeasureswhichher father had intended to

pursue,whileintown,fortherecoveryofhisdaughter.“He meant I believe,” replied Jane, “to go to Epsom, the place where they last

changedhorses, see thepostilionsand try ifanythingcouldbemadeout from them.HisprincipalobjectmustbetodiscoverthenumberofthehackneycoachwhichtookthemfromClapham.IthadcomewithafarefromLondon;andashethoughtthatthe

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circumstanceofagentlemanandlady’sremovingfromonecarriageintoanothermightberemarkedhemeant tomakeinquiriesatClapham.Ifhecouldanyhowdiscoveratwhat house the coachman had before set down his fare, he determined tomake in-quiriesthere,andhopeditmightnotbeimpossibletofindoutthestandandnumberofthecoach.Idonotknowofanyotherdesignsthathehadformed;buthewasinsuchahurrytobegone,andhisspiritssogreatlydiscomposed,thatIhaddifficultyinfindingoutevensomuchasthis.”

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Chapter48

ThewholepartywereinhopesofaletterfromMr.Bennetthenextmorning,butthepostcameinwithoutbringingasinglelinefromhim.Hisfamilyknewhimtobe,onallcommonoccasions,amostnegligentanddilatorycorrespondent;butatsuchatimetheyhadhopedforexertion.Theywereforcedtoconcludethathehadnopleasingin-telligencetosend;butevenofthattheywouldhavebeengladtobecertain.Mr.Gar-dinerhadwaitedonlyforthelettersbeforehesetoff.Whenhewasgone, theywerecertainat leastof receivingconstant informationof

whatwasgoingon,andtheirunclepromised,atparting,toprevailonMr.Bennettore-turntoLongbourn,assoonashecould,tothegreatconsolationofhissister,whocon-sidereditastheonlysecurityforherhusband’snotbeingkilledinaduel.Mrs.GardinerandthechildrenweretoremaininHertfordshireafewdayslonger,as

theformerthoughtherpresencemightbeserviceabletohernieces.ShesharedintheirattendanceonMrs.Bennet,andwasagreatcomforttothemintheirhoursoffreedom.Theirotherauntalsovisitedthemfrequently,andalways,asshesaid,withthedesignof cheering and heartening them up—though, as she never came without reportingsomefreshinstanceofWickham’sextravaganceorirregularity,sheseldomwentawaywithoutleavingthemmoredispiritedthanshefoundthem.AllMerytonseemedstrivingtoblackenthemanwho,butthreemonthsbefore,had

beenalmostanangeloflight.Hewasdeclaredtobeindebttoeverytradesmanintheplace,andhisintrigues,allhonouredwiththetitleofseduction,hadbeenextendedintoeverytradesman’sfamily.Everybodydeclaredthathewasthewickedestyoungmanintheworld;andeverybodybegantofindoutthattheyhadalwaysdistrustedtheappear-anceofhisgoodness.Elizabeth,thoughshedidnotcreditabovehalfofwhatwassaid,believedenough tomakeher former assuranceofher sister’s ruinmore certain; andevenJane,whobelievedstilllessofit,becamealmosthopeless,moreespeciallyasthetimewasnowcomewhen, if theyhadgonetoScotland,whichshehadneverbeforeentirelydespairedof,theymustinallprobabilityhavegainedsomenewsofthem.Mr.GardinerleftLongbournonSunday;onTuesdayhiswifereceivedaletterfrom

him; it told them that,onhis arrival, hehad immediately foundouthisbrother, andpersuadedhimtocometoGracechurchStreet;thatMr.BennethadbeentoEpsomand

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Clapham,beforehisarrival,butwithoutgaininganysatisfactoryinformation;andthathewasnowdetermined to inquire at all theprincipal hotels in town, asMr.Bennetthoughtitpossibletheymighthavegonetooneofthem,ontheirfirstcomingtoLon-don,beforetheyprocuredlodgings.Mr.Gardinerhimselfdidnotexpectanysuccessfromthismeasure,butashisbrotherwaseagerinit,hemeanttoassisthiminpursuingit.HeaddedthatMr.BennetseemedwhollydisinclinedatpresenttoleaveLondonandpromisedtowriteagainverysoon.Therewasalsoapostscripttothiseffect:“IhavewrittentoColonelForstertodesirehimtofindout,ifpossible,fromsomeof

theyoungman’sintimatesintheregiment,whetherWickhamhasanyrelationsorcon-nectionswhowouldbelikelytoknowinwhatpartoftownhehasnowconcealedhim-self.Iftherewereanyonethatonecouldapplytowithaprobabilityofgainingsuchaclueasthat,itmightbeofessentialconsequence.Atpresentwehavenothingtoguideus.ColonelForsterwill, I dare say, do everything inhis power to satisfyuson thishead.But,onsecondthoughts,perhaps,Lizzycouldtelluswhatrelationshehasnowliving,betterthananyotherperson.”Elizabethwasatnolosstounderstandfromwhencethisdeferencetoherauthority

proceeded;butitwasnotinherpowertogiveanyinformationofsosatisfactoryana-tureasthecomplimentdeserved.Shehadneverheardofhishavinghadanyrelations,exceptafatherandmother,bothofwhomhadbeendeadmanyyears.Itwaspossible,however,thatsomeofhiscompanionsinthe——shiremightbeabletogivemorein-formation;andthoughshewasnotverysanguineinexpectingit,theapplicationwasasomethingtolookforwardto.EverydayatLongbournwasnowadayofanxiety;butthemostanxiouspartofeach

waswhenthepostwasexpected.Thearrivalofletterswasthegrandobjectofeverymorning’simpatience.Throughletters,whateverofgoodorbadwastobetoldwouldbecommunicated,andeverysucceedingdaywasexpectedtobringsomenewsofim-portance.ButbeforetheyheardagainfromMr.Gardiner,aletterarrivedfortheirfather,from

adifferentquarter,fromMr.Collins;which,asJanehadreceiveddirectionstoopenallthatcameforhiminhisabsence,sheaccordinglyread;andElizabeth,whoknewwhatcuriositieshislettersalwayswere,lookedoverher,andreaditlikewise.Itwasasfol-lows:

“MydearSir,“I feelmyself called upon, by our relationship, andmy situation in life, tocondolewithyouon thegrievousafflictionyouarenowsufferingunder,ofwhichwewereyesterdayinformedbyaletterfromHertfordshire.Beassured,mydearsir, thatMrs.Collinsandmyselfsincerelysympathisewithyouandallyourrespectablefamily,inyourpresentdistress,whichmustbeofthebit-

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terestkind,becauseproceedingfromacausewhichnotimecanremove.Noargumentsshallbewantingonmypartthatcanalleviatesosevereamisfor-tune—orthatmaycomfortyou,underacircumstancethatmustbeofalloth-ersthemostafflictingtoaparent’smind.Thedeathofyourdaughterwouldhavebeenablessingincomparisonofthis.Anditisthemoretobelamented,becausethereisreasontosupposeasmydearCharlotteinformsme,thatthislicentiousnessofbehaviourinyourdaughterhasproceededfromafaultyde-greeof indulgence; though,at thesametime,for theconsolationofyourselfandMrs.Bennet,Iaminclinedtothinkthatherowndispositionmustbenatu-rallybad,orshecouldnotbeguiltyofsuchanenormity,atsoearlyanage.Howsoever thatmaybe,youaregrievously tobepitied; inwhichopinion IamnotonlyjoinedbyMrs.Collins,but likewisebyLadyCatherineandherdaughter,towhomIhaverelatedtheaffair.Theyagreewithmeinapprehend-ingthatthisfalsestepinonedaughterwillbeinjurioustothefortunesofalltheothers;forwho,asLadyCatherineherselfcondescendinglysays,willcon-nect themselveswith sucha family?And this consideration leadsmemore-overtoreflect,withaugmentedsatisfaction,onacertaineventoflastNovem-ber;forhaditbeenotherwise,Imusthavebeeninvolvedinallyoursorrowanddisgrace.Letmethenadviseyou,dearsir,toconsoleyourselfasmuchaspossible, to throwoffyourunworthychildfromyouraffectionforever,andleavehertoreapthefruitsofherownheinousoffense.

“Iam,dearsir,etc.,etc.”

Mr. Gardiner did not write again till he had received an answer from ColonelForster;and thenhehadnothingofapleasantnature tosend. Itwasnotknown thatWickhamhadasinglerelationshipwithwhomhekeptupanyconnection,anditwascertainthathehadnonearoneliving.Hisformeracquaintanceshadbeennumerous;butsincehehadbeeninthemilitia,itdidnotappearthathewasontermsofparticularfriendshipwithanyofthem.Therewasnoone,therefore,whocouldbepointedoutaslikely togiveanynewsofhim.Andin thewretchedstateofhisownfinances, therewasaverypowerfulmotiveforsecrecy,inadditiontohisfearofdiscoverybyLydia’srelations,forithadjusttranspiredthathehadleftgamingdebtsbehindhimtoaveryconsiderable amount. Colonel Forster believed that more than a thousand poundswouldbenecessary toclearhisexpensesatBrighton.Heowedagooddeal in town,but his debts of honourwere stillmore formidable.Mr.Gardiner didnot attempt toconcealtheseparticularsfromtheLongbournfamily.Janeheardthemwithhorror.“Agamester!”shecried.“Thisiswhollyunexpected.Ihadnotanideaofit.”Mr.Gardineraddedinhisletter,thattheymightexpecttoseetheirfatherathomeon

the following day,whichwas Saturday. Rendered spiritless by the ill-success of all

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theirendeavours,hehadyieldedtohisbrother-in-law’sentreatythathewouldreturntohisfamily,andleaveittohimtodowhateveroccasionmightsuggesttobeadvisableforcontinuingtheirpursuit.WhenMrs.Bennetwastoldofthis,shedidnotexpresssomuch satisfaction as her children expected, consideringwhat her anxiety for his lifehadbeenbefore.“What, ishecominghome,andwithoutpoorLydia?”shecried.“Surehewillnot

leave London before he has found them.Who is to fightWickham, andmake himmarryher,ifhecomesaway?”AsMrs.Gardinerbegantowishtobeathome,itwassettledthatsheandthechil-

drenshouldgotoLondon,atthesametimethatMr.Bennetcamefromit.Thecoach,therefore, took them the first stage of their journey, and brought itsmaster back toLongbourn.Mrs.Gardinerwentaway inall theperplexityaboutElizabethandherDerbyshire

friendthathadattendedherfromthatpartoftheworld.Hisnamehadneverbeenvol-untarilymentionedbefore thembyherniece;and thekindofhalf-expectationwhichMrs.Gardinerhadformed,oftheirbeingfollowedbyaletterfromhim,hadendedinnothing.ElizabethhadreceivednonesinceherreturnthatcouldcomefromPemberley.Thepresentunhappystateofthefamilyrenderedanyotherexcuseforthelowness

of her spirits unnecessary; nothing, therefore, could be fairly conjectured from that,thoughElizabeth,whowasbythis timetolerablywellacquaintedwithherownfeel-ings,wasperfectlyawarethat,hadsheknownnothingofDarcy,shecouldhavebornethedreadofLydia’s infamysomewhatbetter. Itwouldhavesparedher,shethought,onesleeplessnightoutoftwo.WhenMr.Bennetarrived,hehadalltheappearanceofhisusualphilosophiccompo-

sure.Hesaidaslittleashehadeverbeeninthehabitofsaying;madenomentionofthebusinessthathadtakenhimaway,anditwassometimebeforehisdaughtershadcouragetospeakofit.Itwasnottilltheafternoon,whenhehadjoinedthemattea,thatElizabethventured

to introduce the subject; and then, on her briefly expressing her sorrow forwhat hemusthaveendured,hereplied,“Saynothingofthat.Whoshouldsufferbutmyself?Ithasbeenmyowndoing,andIoughttofeelit.”“Youmustnotbetoosevereuponyourself,”repliedElizabeth.“Youmaywellwarnmeagainstsuchanevil.Humannatureissopronetofallinto

it!No,Lizzy, letmeonce inmy life feelhowmuchIhavebeen toblame. Iamnotafraidofbeingoverpoweredbytheimpression.Itwillpassawaysoonenough.”“DoyousupposethemtobeinLondon?”“Yes;whereelsecantheybesowellconcealed?”

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“AndLydiausedtowanttogotoLondon,”addedKitty.“Sheishappythen,”saidherfatherdrily;“andherresidencetherewillprobablybe

ofsomeduration.”Thenafterashortsilencehecontinued:“Lizzy, I bear you no ill-will for being justified in your advice to me lastMay,

which,consideringtheevent,showssomegreatnessofmind.”TheywereinterruptedbyMissBennet,whocametofetchhermother’stea.“Thisisaparade,”hecried,“whichdoesonegood;itgivessuchanelegancetomis-

fortune!AnotherdayIwilldothesame;Iwillsit inmylibrary, inmynightcapandpowdering gown, and give asmuch trouble as I can; or, perhaps, Imay defer it tillKittyrunsaway.”“I am not going to run away, papa,” said Kitty fretfully. “If I should ever go to

Brighton,IwouldbehavebetterthanLydia.”“YougotoBrighton.IwouldnottrustyousonearitasEastbourneforfiftypounds!

No,Kitty,Ihaveatlastlearnttobecautious,andyouwillfeeltheeffectsofit.Nooffi-cerisevertoenterintomyhouseagain,noreventopassthroughthevillage.Ballswillbe absolutely prohibited, unless you stand upwith one of your sisters.And you arenevertostiroutofdoorstillyoucanprovethatyouhavespenttenminutesofeverydayinarationalmanner.”Kitty,whotookallthesethreatsinaseriouslight,begantocry.“Well,well,”saidhe,“donotmakeyourselfunhappy.Ifyouareagoodgirlforthe

nexttenyears,Iwilltakeyoutoareviewattheendofthem.”

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TwodaysafterMr.Bennet’sreturn,asJaneandElizabethwerewalkingtogetherintheshrubberybehindthehouse,theysawthehousekeepercomingtowardsthem,and,concludingthatshecametocallthemtotheirmother,wentforwardtomeether;but,insteadoftheexpectedsummons,whentheyapproachedher,shesaidtoMissBennet,“Ibegyourpardon,madam,forinterruptingyou,butIwasinhopesyoumighthavegotsomegoodnewsfromtown,soItookthelibertyofcomingtoask.”“Whatdoyoumean,Hill?Wehaveheardnothingfromtown.”“Dearmadam,”criedMrs.Hill,ingreatastonishment,“don’tyouknowthereisan

expresscomeformasterfromMr.Gardiner?Hehasbeenherethishalf-hour,andmas-terhashadaletter.”Awayranthegirls,tooeagertogetintohavetimeforspeech.Theyranthroughthe

vestibule into thebreakfast-room; from thence to the library; their fatherwas innei-ther;andtheywereonthepointofseekinghimupstairswiththeirmother,whentheyweremetbythebutler,whosaid:“Ifyouarelookingformymaster,ma’am,heiswalkingtowardsthelittlecopse.”Upon this information, they instantly passed through the hall oncemore, and ran

across the lawn after their father,whowas deliberately pursuing hisway towards asmallwoodononesideofthepaddock.Jane,whowasnotso lightnorsomuchin thehabitof runningasElizabeth,soon

laggedbehind,whilehersister,pantingforbreath,cameupwithhim,andeagerlycriedout:“Oh,papa,whatnews—whatnews?Haveyouheardfrommyuncle?”“YesIhavehadaletterfromhimbyexpress.”“Well,andwhatnewsdoesitbring—goodorbad?”“Whatis thereofgoodtobeexpected?”saidhe, takingtheletterfromhispocket.

“Butperhapsyouwouldliketoreadit.”Elizabethimpatientlycaughtitfromhishand.Janenowcameup.“Readitaloud,”saidtheirfather,“forIhardlyknowmyselfwhatitisabout.”

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“GracechurchStreet,Monday,August2.

“MydearBrother,“AtlastIamabletosendyousometidingsofmyniece,andsuchas,uponthewhole,Ihopeitwillgiveyousatisfaction.SoonafteryouleftmeonSaturday,IwasfortunateenoughtofindoutinwhatpartofLondontheywere.Thepar-ticularsIreservetillwemeet;itisenoughtoknowtheyarediscovered.Ihaveseenthemboth—”“ThenitisasIalwayshoped,”criedJane;“theyaremarried!”

Elizabethreadon:

“Ihaveseenthemboth.Theyarenotmarried,norcanIfindtherewasanyin-tentionofbeingso;butifyouarewillingtoperformtheengagementswhichIhaveventuredtomakeonyourside,Ihopeitwillnotbelongbeforetheyare.All that is requiredofyou is, to assure toyourdaughter, by settlement, herequalshareofthefivethousandpoundssecuredamongyourchildrenafterthedeceaseofyourselfandmysister;and,moreover,toenterintoanengagementofallowingher,duringyour life,onehundredpoundsperannum.Theseareconditions which, considering everything, I had no hesitation in complyingwith, as far as I thoughtmyself privileged, foryou. I shall send thisby ex-press, thatno timemaybe lost inbringingmeyouranswer.Youwilleasilycomprehend, from these particulars, thatMr.Wickham’s circumstances arenotsohopelessastheyaregenerallybelievedtobe.Theworldhasbeende-ceivedinthatrespect;andIamhappytosaytherewillbesomelittlemoney,evenwhenallhisdebtsaredischarged, to settleonmyniece, inaddition toherownfortune.If,asIconcludewillbethecase,yousendmefullpowerstoact in your name throughout thewhole of this business, Iwill immediatelygivedirectionstoHaggerstonforpreparingapropersettlement.Therewillnotbethesmallestoccasionforyourcomingtotownagain;thereforestayquietatLongbourn,anddependonmydiligenceandcare.Sendbackyouranswerasfastasyoucan,andbecarefultowriteexplicitly.Wehavejudgeditbestthatmy niece should bemarried from this house, ofwhich I hope youwill ap-prove.Shecomestousto-day.Ishallwriteagainassoonasanythingmoreisdeterminedon.Yours,etc.,

“EDW.GARDINER.”

“Isitpossible?”criedElizabeth,whenshehadfinished.“Canitbepossiblethathewillmarryher?”

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“Wickhamisnotsoundeserving,then,aswethoughthim,”saidhersister.“Mydearfather,Icongratulateyou.”“Andhaveyouansweredtheletter?”criedElizabeth.“No;butitmustbedonesoon.”Mostearnestlydidshethenentreathimtolosenomoretimebeforehewrote.“Oh!mydearfather,”shecried,“comebackandwriteimmediately.Considerhow

importanteverymomentisinsuchacase.”“Letmewriteforyou,”saidJane,“ifyoudislikethetroubleyourself.”“Idislikeitverymuch,”hereplied;“butitmustbedone.”Andsosaying,heturnedbackwiththem,andwalkedtowardsthehouse.“Andmay I ask—” said Elizabeth; “but the terms, I suppose, must be complied

with.”“Compliedwith!Iamonlyashamedofhisaskingsolittle.”“Andtheymustmarry!Yetheissuchaman!”“Yes, yes, theymustmarry. There is nothing else to be done. But there are two

things that Iwantverymuch toknow;one is,howmuchmoneyyourunclehas laiddowntobringitabout;andtheother,howamIevertopayhim.”“Money!Myuncle!”criedJane,“whatdoyoumean,sir?”“Imean,thatnomaninhissenseswouldmarryLydiaonsoslightatemptationas

onehundredayearduringmylife,andfiftyafterIamgone.”“That isvery true,” saidElizabeth; “though it hadnotoccurred tomebefore.His

debts tobedischarged,andsomethingstill toremain!Oh!itmustbemyuncle’sdo-ings!Generous,goodman,Iamafraidhehasdistressedhimself.Asmallsumcouldnotdoallthis.”“No,”saidherfather;“Wickham’safoolifhetakesherwithafarthinglessthanten

thousandpounds.Ishouldbesorrytothinksoillofhim,intheverybeginningofourrelationship.”“Tenthousandpounds!Heavenforbid!Howishalfsuchasumtoberepaid?”Mr.Bennetmadenoanswer,andeachofthem,deepinthought,continuedsilenttill

theyreachedthehouse.Theirfatherthenwentontothelibrarytowrite,andthegirlswalkedintothebreakfast-room.“Andtheyarereallytobemarried!”criedElizabeth,assoonastheywerebythem-

selves. “How strange this is! And for this we are to be thankful. That they shouldmarry,smallasistheirchanceofhappiness,andwretchedasishischaracter,weareforcedtorejoice.Oh,Lydia!”“Icomfortmyselfwith thinking,”repliedJane,“thathecertainlywouldnotmarry

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Lydiaifhehadnotarealregardforher.Thoughourkindunclehasdonesomethingto-wardsclearinghim,Icannotbelievethattenthousandpounds,oranythinglikeit,hasbeenadvanced.Hehaschildrenofhisown,andmayhavemore.Howcouldhesparehalftenthousandpounds?”“If hewere ever able to learnwhatWickham’s debts have been,” saidElizabeth,

“andhowmuch is settledonhis sideonour sister,we shall exactlyknowwhatMr.Gardinerhasdoneforthem,becauseWickhamhasnotsixpenceofhisown.Thekind-nessofmyuncleandauntcanneverberequited.Theirtakingherhome,andaffordingher theirpersonalprotectionandcountenance, issuchasacrifice toheradvantageasyearsofgratitudecannotenoughacknowledge.Bythistimesheisactuallywiththem!If such goodness does not make her miserable now, she will never deserve to behappy!Whatameetingforher,whenshefirstseesmyaunt!”“Wemustendeavourtoforgetallthathaspassedoneitherside,”saidJane:“Ihope

andtrusttheywillyetbehappy.Hisconsentingtomarryherisaproof,Iwillbelieve,thatheiscometoarightwayofthinking.Theirmutualaffectionwillsteadythem;andIflattermyselftheywillsettlesoquietly,andliveinsorationalamanner,asmayintimemaketheirpastimprudenceforgotten.”“Their conduct hasbeen such,” repliedElizabeth, “asneither you, nor I, nor any-

bodycaneverforget.Itisuselesstotalkofit.”Itnowoccurredtothegirlsthattheirmotherwasinalllikelihoodperfectlyignorant

of what had happened. They went to the library, therefore, and asked their fatherwhetherhewouldnotwishthemtomakeitknowntoher.Hewaswritingand,withoutraisinghishead,coollyreplied:“Justasyouplease.”“Maywetakemyuncle’slettertoreadtoher?”“Takewhateveryoulike,andgetaway.”Elizabeth took the letter from his writing-table, and theywent up stairs together.

MaryandKittywerebothwithMrs.Bennet:onecommunicationwould,therefore,doforall.Afteraslightpreparationforgoodnews,theletterwasreadaloud.Mrs.Bennetcouldhardlycontainherself.AssoonasJanehadreadMr.Gardiner’shopeofLydia’sbeingsoonmarried,herjoyburstforth,andeveryfollowingsentenceaddedtoitsexu-berance.Shewasnowinanirritationasviolentfromdelight,asshehadeverbeenfid-gety from alarm and vexation. To know that her daughter would be married wasenough. Shewas disturbed by no fear for her felicity, nor humbled by any remem-branceofhermisconduct.“Mydear,dearLydia!”shecried.“Thisisdelightfulindeed!Shewillbemarried!I

shallseeheragain!Shewillbemarriedatsixteen!Mygood,kindbrother!Iknewhowitwouldbe. Iknewhewouldmanageeverything!HowI longtoseeher!andtosee

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dearWickhamtoo!Buttheclothes,theweddingclothes!IwillwritetomysisterGar-dineraboutthemdirectly.Lizzy,mydear,rundowntoyourfather,andaskhimhowmuchhewillgiveher.Stay,stay,Iwillgomyself.Ringthebell,Kitty,forHill.Iwillputonmythingsinamoment.Mydear,dearLydia!Howmerryweshallbetogetherwhenwemeet!”Hereldestdaughterendeavouredtogivesomerelieftotheviolenceofthesetrans-

ports,byleadingherthoughtstotheobligationswhichMr.Gardiner’sbehaviourlaidthemallunder.“Forwemustattributethishappyconclusion,”sheadded,“inagreatmeasuretohis

kindness.Wearepersuaded thathehaspledgedhimself toassistMr.Wickhamwithmoney.”“Well,”criedhermother,“itisallveryright;whoshoulddoitbutherownuncle?If

hehadnothadafamilyofhisown,Iandmychildrenmusthavehadallhismoney,youknow;andit isthefirst timewehaveeverhadanythingfromhim,exceptafewpresents.Well! Iamsohappy! Inashort timeIshallhaveadaughtermarried.Mrs.Wickham!Howwellitsounds!AndshewasonlysixteenlastJune.MydearJane,Iaminsuchaflutter,thatIamsureIcan’twrite;soIwilldictate,andyouwriteforme.Wewill settlewithyour fatherabout themoneyafterwards;but the thingsshouldbeor-deredimmediately.”Shewas thenproceeding toall theparticularsof calico,muslin, andcambric, and

would shortly have dictated some very plentiful orders, had not Jane, though withsomedifficulty,persuadedhertowaittillherfatherwasatleisuretobeconsulted.Oneday’s delay, she observed, would be of small importance; and her mother was toohappytobequitesoobstinateasusual.Otherschemes,too,cameintoherhead.“IwillgotoMeryton,”saidshe,“assoonasIamdressed,andtellthegood,good

news tomy sister Philips.And as I come back, I can call onLadyLucas andMrs.Long.Kitty,rundownandorderthecarriage.Anairingwoulddomeagreatdealofgood,Iamsure.Girls,canIdoanythingforyouinMeryton?Oh!HerecomesHill!MydearHill,haveyouheardthegoodnews?MissLydiaisgoingtobemarried;andyoushallallhaveabowlofpunchtomakemerryatherwedding.”Mrs.Hillbeganinstantlytoexpressherjoy.Elizabethreceivedhercongratulations

amongst the rest, and then, sickof this folly, took refuge inherown room, that shemightthinkwithfreedom.PoorLydia’s situationmust,atbest,bebadenough;but that itwasnoworse, she

hadneedtobethankful.Shefeltitso;andthough,inlookingforward,neitherrationalhappiness nor worldly prosperity could be justly expected for her sister, in lookingbacktowhattheyhadfeared,onlytwohoursago,shefeltalltheadvantagesofwhattheyhadgained.

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Mr. Bennet had very often wished before this period of his life that, instead ofspendinghiswhole income,hehadlaidbyanannualsumfor thebetterprovisionofhischildren,andofhiswife, ifshesurvivedhim.Henowwished itmore thanever.Hadhedonehisdutyinthatrespect,Lydianeednothavebeenindebtedtoheruncleforwhateverofhonourorcreditcouldnowbepurchasedforher.ThesatisfactionofprevailingononeofthemostworthlessyoungmeninGreatBritaintobeherhusbandmightthenhaverestedinitsproperplace.Hewasseriouslyconcernedthatacauseofsolittleadvantagetoanyoneshouldbe

forwardedatthesoleexpenseofhisbrother-in-law,andhewasdetermined,ifpossible,to findout theextentofhisassistance,and todischarge theobligationassoonashecould.WhenfirstMr.Bennethadmarried,economywasheldtobeperfectlyuseless,for,

ofcourse,theyweretohaveason.Thesonwastojoinincuttingofftheentail,assoonasheshouldbeofage,andthewidowandyoungerchildrenwouldbythatmeansbeprovided for. Five daughters successively entered theworld, but yet the sonwas tocome; andMrs.Bennet, formanyyears afterLydia’sbirth,hadbeencertain thathewould.Thiseventhadatlastbeendespairedof,butitwasthentoolatetobesaving.Mrs.Bennet hadno turn for economy, andher husband’s love of independencehadalonepreventedtheirexceedingtheirincome.FivethousandpoundswassettledbymarriagearticlesonMrs.Bennetandthechil-

dren.Butinwhatproportionsitshouldbedividedamongstthelatterdependedonthewilloftheparents.Thiswasonepoint,withregardtoLydia,atleast,whichwasnowtobesettled,andMr.Bennetcouldhavenohesitationinaccedingtotheproposalbe-forehim.Intermsofgratefulacknowledgmentforthekindnessofhisbrother,thoughexpressedmostconcisely,hethendeliveredonpaperhisperfectapprobationofallthatwasdone,andhiswillingness to fulfil theengagements thathadbeenmadeforhim.He had never before supposed that, could Wickham be prevailed on to marry hisdaughter, itwould be donewith so little inconvenience to himself as by the presentarrangement.Hewouldscarcelybetenpoundsayeartheloserbythehundredthatwastobepaidthem;for,whatwithherboardandpocketallowance,andthecontinualpre-sentsinmoneywhichpassedtoherthroughhermother’shands,Lydia’sexpenseshad

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beenverylittlewithinthatsum.Thatitwouldbedonewithsuchtriflingexertiononhisside,too,wasanothervery

welcomesurprise;forhiswishatpresentwastohaveaslittletroubleinthebusinessaspossible.Whenthefirsttransportsofragewhichhadproducedhisactivityinseekingherwereover, henaturally returned to all his former indolence.His letterwas soondispatched;for,thoughdilatoryinundertakingbusiness,hewasquickinitsexecution.Hebeggedtoknowfurtherparticularsofwhathewasindebtedtohisbrother,butwastooangrywithLydiatosendanymessagetoher.The good news spread quickly through the house, and with proportionate speed

through theneighbourhood. Itwasborne in the latterwithdecentphilosophy.Tobesure,itwouldhavebeenmorefortheadvantageofconversationhadMissLydiaBen-netcomeuponthetown;or,asthehappiestalternative,beensecludedfromtheworld,insomedistantfarmhouse.Buttherewasmuchtobetalkedofinmarryingher;andthegood-naturedwishesforherwell-doingwhichhadproceededbeforefromallthespite-fuloldladiesinMerytonlostbutalittleoftheirspiritinthischangeofcircumstances,becausewithsuchanhusbandhermiserywasconsideredcertain.ItwasafortnightsinceMrs.Bennethadbeendownstairs;butonthishappydayshe

againtookherseatattheheadofhertable,andinspiritsoppressivelyhigh.Nosenti-mentof shamegave adamp toher triumph.Themarriageof adaughter,whichhadbeenthefirstobjectofherwishessinceJanewassixteen,wasnowonthepointofac-complishment,andherthoughtsandherwordsranwhollyonthoseattendantsofele-gant nuptials, fine muslins, new carriages, and servants. She was busily searchingthroughtheneighbourhoodforapropersituationforherdaughter,and,withoutknow-ingorconsideringwhattheirincomemightbe,rejectedmanyasdeficientinsizeandimportance.“HayeParkmightdo,”saidshe,“iftheGouldingscouldquitit—orthegreathouse

atStoke,ifthedrawing-roomwerelarger;butAshworthistoofaroff!Icouldnotbeartohavehertenmilesfromme;andasforPulvisLodge,theatticsaredreadful.”Her husband allowed her to talk on without interruption while the servants re-

mained.Butwhentheyhadwithdrawn,hesaidtoher:“Mrs.Bennet,beforeyoutakeanyorallofthesehousesforyoursonanddaughter,letuscometoarightunderstand-ing.Intoonehouseinthisneighbourhoodtheyshallneverhaveadmittance.Iwillnotencouragetheimpudenceofeither,byreceivingthematLongbourn.”Alongdisputefollowedthisdeclaration;butMr.Bennetwasfirm.Itsoonledtoan-

other;andMrs.Bennetfound,withamazementandhorror,thatherhusbandwouldnotadvanceaguineatobuyclothesforhisdaughter.Heprotestedthatsheshouldreceivefromhimnomark of affectionwhatever on the occasion.Mrs.Bennet could hardlycomprehendit.Thathisangercouldbecarriedtosuchapointofinconceivableresent-

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mentastorefusehisdaughteraprivilegewithoutwhichhermarriagewouldscarcelyseemvalid,exceededallshecouldbelievepossible.Shewasmorealivetothedisgracewhich herwant of new clothesmust reflect on her daughter’s nuptials, than to anysenseof shameatherelopingand livingwithWickhama fortnightbefore they tookplace.Elizabethwasnowmostheartilysorrythatshehad,fromthedistressofthemoment,

been led tomakeMr.Darcy acquaintedwith their fears for her sister; for since hermarriagewould so shortly give the proper termination to the elopement, theymighthopetoconcealitsunfavourablebeginningfromallthosewhowerenotimmediatelyonthespot.Shehadnofearofitsspreadingfartherthroughhismeans.Therewerefewpeople

onwhosesecrecyshewouldhavemoreconfidentlydepended;but,at thesametime,therewasnoonewhoseknowledgeof a sister’s frailtywouldhavemortifiedher somuch—not,however,fromanyfearofdisadvantagefromitindividuallytoherself,for,atanyrate,thereseemedagulfimpassablebetweenthem.HadLydia’smarriagebeenconcluded on themost honourable terms, itwas not to be supposed thatMr.Darcywouldconnecthimselfwitha familywhere, toeveryotherobjection,wouldnowbeaddedanallianceandrelationshipof thenearestkindwithamanwhomheso justlyscorned.From such a connection she could notwonder that hewould shrink.Thewish of

procuringherregard,whichshehadassuredherselfofhisfeelinginDerbyshire,couldnot in rational expectation survive such a blow as this. She was humbled, she wasgrieved;sherepented,thoughshehardlyknewofwhat.Shebecamejealousofhises-teem,whenshecouldnolongerhopetobebenefitedbyit.Shewantedtohearofhim,whenthereseemedtheleastchanceofgainingintelligence.Shewasconvincedthatshecouldhavebeenhappywithhim,whenitwasnolongerlikelytheyshouldmeet.What a triumph for him, as she often thought, could he know that the proposals

which she had proudly spurned only four months ago, would now have beenmostgladlyandgratefullyreceived!Hewasasgenerous,shedoubtednot,asthemostgen-erousofhissex;butwhilehewasmortal,theremustbeatriumph.Shebegannowtocomprehendthathewasexactlythemanwho,indispositionand

talents,wouldmost suit her.His understanding and temper, though unlike her own,wouldhaveansweredallherwishes.Itwasanunionthatmusthavebeentotheadvan-tageofboth;byhereaseandliveliness,hismindmighthavebeensoftened,hisman-nersimproved;andfromhisjudgement,information,andknowledgeoftheworld,shemusthavereceivedbenefitofgreaterimportance.Butnosuchhappymarriagecouldnowteachtheadmiringmultitudewhatconnubial

felicityreallywas.Anunionofadifferenttendency,andprecludingthepossibilityof

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theother,wassoontobeformedintheirfamily.HowWickhamandLydiaweretobesupportedintolerableindependence,shecould

notimagine.Buthowlittleofpermanenthappinesscouldbelongtoacouplewhowereonlybroughttogetherbecausetheirpassionswerestrongerthantheirvirtue,shecouldeasilyconjecture.Mr.Gardinersoonwroteagaintohisbrother.ToMr.Bennet’sacknowledgmentshe

briefly replied,with assuranceofhis eagerness topromote thewelfareof anyofhisfamily;andconcludedwithentreatiesthatthesubjectmightneverbementionedtohimagain.TheprincipalpurportofhisletterwastoinformthemthatMr.Wickhamhadre-solvedonquittingthemilitia.“Itwasgreatlymywishthatheshoulddoso,”headded,“assoonashismarriage

wasfixedon.AndIthinkyouwillagreewithme,inconsideringtheremovalfromthatcorpsashighlyadvisable,bothonhisaccountandmyniece’s.ItisMr.Wickham’sin-tentiontogointotheregulars;andamonghisformerfriends,therearestillsomewhoareableandwilling toassisthimin thearmy.Hehas thepromiseofanensigncy inGeneral——’sregiment,nowquarteredintheNorth.Itisanadvantagetohaveitsofarfromthispartofthekingdom.Hepromisesfairly;andIhopeamongdifferentpeo-ple,wheretheymayeachhaveacharactertopreserve,theywillbothbemoreprudent.IhavewrittentoColonelForster,toinformhimofourpresentarrangements,andtore-questthathewillsatisfythevariouscreditorsofMr.WickhaminandnearBrighton,with assurances of speedypayment, forwhich I havepledgedmyself.Andwill yougiveyourselfthetroubleofcarryingsimilarassurancestohiscreditorsinMeryton,ofwhomIshallsubjoinalistaccordingtohisinformation?Hehasgiveninallhisdebts;Ihopeat leasthehasnotdeceivedus.Haggerstonhasourdirections,andallwillbecompletedinaweek.Theywillthenjoinhisregiment,unlesstheyarefirstinvitedtoLongbourn; and I understand fromMrs.Gardiner, thatmy niece is very desirous ofseeingyouallbeforesheleavestheSouth.Sheiswell,andbegstobedutifullyremem-beredtoyouandhermother.—Yours,etc.,“E.GARDINER.”Mr.Bennetandhisdaughters sawall theadvantagesofWickham’s removal from

the——shireasclearlyasMr.Gardinercoulddo.ButMrs.Bennetwasnot sowellpleasedwith it.Lydia’sbeingsettled in theNorth, justwhenshehadexpectedmostpleasureandprideinhercompany,forshehadbynomeansgivenupherplanoftheirresidinginHertfordshire,wasaseveredisappointment;and,besides,itwassuchapitythatLydiashouldbetakenfromaregimentwhereshewasacquaintedwitheverybody,andhadsomanyfavourites.“She is so fond ofMrs. Forster,” said she, “itwill be quite shocking to send her

away!Andthereareseveraloftheyoungmen,too,thatshelikesverymuch.Theoffi-

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cersmaynotbesopleasantinGeneral——’sregiment.”Hisdaughter’srequest, forsuchitmightbeconsidered,ofbeingadmittedintoher

familyagainbeforeshesetofffortheNorth,receivedatfirstanabsolutenegative.ButJaneandElizabeth,whoagreed inwishing, for thesakeof theirsister’s feelingsandconsequence,thatsheshouldbenoticedonhermarriagebyherparents,urgedhimsoearnestlyyetsorationallyandsomildly,toreceiveherandherhusbandatLongbourn,assoonastheyweremarried,thathewasprevailedontothinkastheythought,andactas theywished.And theirmotherhad the satisfactionofknowing that shewouldbeabletoshowhermarrieddaughterintheneighbourhoodbeforeshewasbanishedtotheNorth.WhenMr.Bennetwroteagaintohisbrother,therefore,hesenthispermissionfor them to come; and it was settled, that as soon as the ceremony was over, theyshouldproceedtoLongbourn.Elizabethwassurprised,however,thatWickhamshouldconsenttosuchascheme,andhadsheconsultedonlyherowninclination,anymeetingwithhimwouldhavebeenthelastobjectofherwishes.

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Their sister’s wedding day arrived; and Jane and Elizabeth felt for her probablymore thanshefelt forherself.Thecarriagewassent tomeet themat——,and theyweretoreturninitbydinner-time.TheirarrivalwasdreadedbytheelderMissBen-nets, and Janemore especially, who gave Lydia the feelings which would have at-tendedherself,hadshebeentheculprit,andwaswretchedinthethoughtofwhathersistermustendure.They came. The family were assembled in the breakfast room to receive them.

SmilesdeckedthefaceofMrs.Bennetasthecarriagedroveuptothedoor;herhus-bandlookedimpenetrablygrave;herdaughters,alarmed,anxious,uneasy.Lydia’svoicewasheardinthevestibule;thedoorwasthrownopen,andsheraninto

theroom.Hermothersteppedforwards,embracedher,andwelcomedherwithrapture;gave her hand,with an affectionate smile, toWickham,who followedhis lady; andwishedthembothjoywithanalacritywhichshewednodoubtoftheirhappiness.TheirreceptionfromMr.Bennet, towhomtheythenturned,wasnotquitesocor-

dial.Hiscountenancerathergainedinausterity;andhescarcelyopenedhislips.Theeasyassuranceoftheyoungcouple,indeed,wasenoughtoprovokehim.Elizabethwasdisgusted, and evenMissBennetwas shocked. Lydiawas Lydia still; untamed, un-abashed,wild, noisy, and fearless. She turned from sister to sister, demanding theircongratulations;andwhenatlengththeyallsatdown,lookedeagerlyroundtheroom,tooknoticeofsomelittlealterationinit,andobserved,withalaugh,thatitwasagreatwhilesinceshehadbeenthere.Wickhamwasnotatallmoredistressedthanherself,buthismannerswerealways

sopleasing,thathadhischaracterandhismarriagebeenexactlywhattheyought,hissmilesandhiseasyaddress,whileheclaimedtheirrelationship,wouldhavedelightedthemall.Elizabethhadnotbeforebelievedhimquiteequaltosuchassurance;butshesatdown,resolvingwithinherselftodrawnolimitsinfuturetotheimpudenceofanimpudentman.Sheblushed,andJaneblushed;butthecheeksofthetwowhocausedtheirconfusionsufferednovariationofcolour.Therewasnowantofdiscourse.Thebrideandhermothercouldneitherofthemtalk

fastenough;andWickham,whohappenedtositnearElizabeth,beganinquiringafter

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his acquaintance in that neighbourhood, with a good humoured easewhich she feltvery unable to equal in her replies.They seemed each of them to have the happiestmemories in theworld.Nothingof thepastwasrecollectedwithpain;andLydia ledvoluntarilytosubjectswhichhersisterswouldnothavealludedtofortheworld.“Onlythinkofitsbeingthreemonths,”shecried,“sinceIwentaway;itseemsbuta

fortnightIdeclare;andyettherehavebeenthingsenoughhappenedinthetime.Goodgracious!whenIwentaway,IamsureIhadnomoreideaofbeingmarriedtillIcamebackagain!thoughIthoughtitwouldbeverygoodfunifIwas.”Herfather lifteduphiseyes.Janewasdistressed.Elizabethlookedexpressivelyat

Lydia;butshe,whoneverheardnorsawanythingofwhichshechosetobeinsensible,gailycontinued,“Oh!mamma,dothepeoplehereaboutsknowIammarriedto-day?Iwasafraidtheymightnot;andweovertookWilliamGouldinginhiscurricle,soIwasdeterminedheshouldknowit,andsoIletdowntheside-glassnexttohim,andtookoffmyglove,andletmyhandjustrestuponthewindowframe,sothathemightseethering,andthenIbowedandsmiledlikeanything.”Elizabethcouldbearitnolonger.Shegotup,andranoutoftheroom;andreturned

nomore, till sheheard thempassing through thehall to thediningparlour.She thenjoinedthemsoonenoughtoseeLydia,withanxiousparade,walkuptohermother’srighthand,andhearhersaytohereldestsister,“Ah!Jane,Itakeyourplacenow,andyoumustgolower,becauseIamamarriedwoman.”It was not to be supposed that time would give Lydia that embarrassment from

which shehadbeen sowholly freeat first.Hereaseandgoodspirits increased.ShelongedtoseeMrs.Phillips,theLucases,andalltheirotherneighbours,andtohearher-selfcalled“Mrs.Wickham”byeachofthem;andinthemeantime,shewentafterdin-nertoshowherring,andboastofbeingmarried,toMrs.Hillandthetwohousemaids.“Well,mamma,”saidshe,whentheywereallreturnedtothebreakfastroom,“and

whatdoyou thinkofmyhusband? Isnothe a charmingman? I amsuremy sistersmustallenvyme.Ionlyhopetheymayhavehalfmygoodluck.TheymustallgotoBrighton.Thatistheplacetogethusbands.Whatapityitis,mamma,wedidnotallgo.”“Verytrue;andifIhadmywill,weshould.ButmydearLydia,Idon’tatall like

yourgoingsuchawayoff.Mustitbeso?”“Oh,lord!yes;—thereisnothinginthat.Ishalllikeitofallthings.Youandpapa,

andmysisters,mustcomedownandseeus.WeshallbeatNewcastleallthewinter,andIdaresay therewillbesomeballs,andIwill takecare togetgoodpartners forthemall.”“Ishouldlikeitbeyondanything!”saidhermother.“Andthenwhenyougoaway,youmayleaveoneortwoofmysistersbehindyou;

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andIdaresayIshallgethusbandsforthembeforethewinterisover.”“Ithankyouformyshareofthefavour,”saidElizabeth;“butIdonotparticularly

likeyourwayofgettinghusbands.”Theirvisitorswerenottoremainabovetendayswiththem.Mr.Wickhamhadre-

ceivedhiscommissionbeforehe leftLondon,andhewas to joinhis regimentat theendofafortnight.NoonebutMrs.Bennetregrettedthattheirstaywouldbesoshort;andshemadethe

mostofthetimebyvisitingaboutwithherdaughter,andhavingveryfrequentpartiesathome.Thesepartieswereacceptabletoall;toavoidafamilycirclewasevenmoredesirabletosuchasdidthink,thansuchasdidnot.Wickham’saffectionforLydiawasjustwhatElizabethhadexpectedtofindit;not

equaltoLydia’sforhim.Shehadscarcelyneededherpresentobservationtobesatis-fied, from the reason of things, that their elopement had been brought on by thestrengthofherlove,ratherthanbyhis;andshewouldhavewonderedwhy,withoutvi-olentlycaringforher,hechosetoelopewithheratall,hadshenotfeltcertainthathisflightwasrenderednecessarybydistressofcircumstances;andif thatwerethecase,hewasnottheyoungmantoresistanopportunityofhavingacompanion.Lydiawasexceedinglyfondofhim.HewasherdearWickhamoneveryoccasion;

noonewas tobeput incompetitionwithhim.Hedidevery thingbest in theworld;andshewassurehewouldkillmorebirdsonthefirstofSeptember,thananybodyelseinthecountry.Onemorning,soonafter theirarrival,asshewassittingwithhertwoeldersisters,

shesaidtoElizabeth:“Lizzy, I never gaveyou an account ofmywedding, I believe.Youwerenot by,

whenItoldmammaandtheothersallaboutit.Arenotyoucurioustohearhowitwasmanaged?”“Noreally,”repliedElizabeth;“Ithinktherecannotbetoolittlesaidonthesubject.”“La!Youaresostrange!ButImusttellyouhowitwentoff.Weweremarried,you

know,atSt.Clement’s,becauseWickham’slodgingswereinthatparish.Anditwassettledthatweshouldallbetherebyeleveno’clock.MyuncleandauntandIweretogo together; and the others were to meet us at the church.Well, Monday morningcame,andIwasinsuchafuss!Iwassoafraid,youknow,thatsomethingwouldhap-pentoputitoff,andthenIshouldhavegonequitedistracted.Andtherewasmyaunt,allthetimeIwasdressing,preachingandtalkingawayjustasifshewasreadingaser-mon.However,Ididnothearaboveonewordinten,forIwasthinking,youmaysup-pose,ofmydearWickham.Ilongedtoknowwhetherhewouldbemarriedinhisbluecoat.”“Well,andsowebreakfastedattenasusual;Ithoughtitwouldneverbeover;for,

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bythebye,youare tounderstand, thatmyuncleandauntwerehorridunpleasantallthetimeIwaswiththem.Ifyou’llbelieveme,Ididnotonceputmyfootoutofdoors,thoughIwasthereafortnight.Notoneparty,orscheme,oranything.TobesureLon-donwasratherthin,but,however,theLittleTheatrewasopen.Well,andsojustasthecarriagecametothedoor,myunclewascalledawayuponbusinesstothathorridmanMr.Stone.And then, youknow,whenonce theyget together, there is no endof it.Well, Iwas so frightened I did not knowwhat to do, formy unclewas to givemeaway;andifwewerebeyondthehour,wecouldnotbemarriedallday.But,luckily,hecamebackagain in tenminutes’ time,and thenweall setout.However, I recol-lectedafterwardsthatifhehadbeenpreventedgoing,theweddingneednotbeputoff,forMr.Darcymighthavedoneaswell.”“Mr.Darcy!”repeatedElizabeth,inutteramazement.“Oh, yes!—hewas to come there withWickham, you know. But graciousme! I

quiteforgot!Ioughtnot tohavesaidawordabout it. Ipromisedthemsofaithfully!WhatwillWickhamsay?Itwastobesuchasecret!”“Ifitwastobesecret,”saidJane,“saynotanotherwordonthesubject.Youmayde-

penduponmyseekingnofurther.”“Oh!certainly,”saidElizabeth,thoughburningwithcuriosity;“wewillaskyouno

questions.”“Thankyou,” saidLydia, “for if youdid, I should certainly tell you all, and then

Wickhamwouldbeangry.”Onsuchencouragementtoask,Elizabethwasforcedtoputitoutofherpower,by

runningaway.Buttoliveinignoranceonsuchapointwasimpossible;oratleastitwasimpossible

nottotryforinformation.Mr.Darcyhadbeenathersister’swedding.Itwasexactlyascene,andexactlyamongpeople,wherehehadapparentlyleasttodo,andleasttemp-tationtogo.Conjecturesastothemeaningofit,rapidandwild,hurriedintoherbrain;butshewassatisfiedwithnone.Thosethatbestpleasedher,asplacinghisconductinthe noblest light, seemed most improbable. She could not bear such suspense; andhastilyseizingasheetofpaper,wroteashortlettertoheraunt,torequestanexplana-tionofwhatLydiahaddropt,ifitwerecompatiblewiththesecrecywhichhadbeenin-tended.“Youmay readily comprehend,” she added, “whatmy curiositymust be to know

howapersonunconnectedwithanyofus,and(comparativelyspeaking)astrangertoourfamily,shouldhavebeenamongstyouatsuchatime.Praywriteinstantly,andletmeunderstandit—unlessitis,forverycogentreasons,toremaininthesecrecywhichLydiaseemstothinknecessary;andthenImustendeavourtobesatisfiedwithigno-rance.”

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“NotthatIshall, though,”sheaddedtoherself,asshefinishedtheletter;“andmydearaunt,ifyoudonottellmeinanhonourablemanner,Ishallcertainlybereducedtotricksandstratagemstofinditout.”Jane’sdelicatesenseofhonourwouldnotallowhertospeaktoElizabethprivately

ofwhatLydiahad let fall;Elizabethwasgladof it;—till itappearedwhetherher in-quirieswouldreceiveanysatisfaction,shehadratherbewithoutaconfidante.

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Elizabethhadthesatisfactionofreceivingananswertoherletterassoonasshepos-siblycould.Shewasnosoonerinpossessionofitthan,hurryingintothelittlecopse,whereshewasleastlikelytobeinterrupted,shesatdownononeofthebenchesandpreparedtobehappy;forthelengthoftheletterconvincedherthatitdidnotcontainadenial.

“GracechurchStreet,Sept.6.

“MydearNiece,“Ihavejustreceivedyourletter,andshalldevotethiswholemorningtoanswering

it,asIforeseethatalittlewritingwillnotcomprisewhatIhavetotellyou.Imustcon-fessmyselfsurprisedbyyourapplication;Ididnotexpectitfromyou.Don’tthinkmeangry,however,forIonlymeantoletyouknowthatIhadnotimaginedsuchinquiriestobenecessaryonyourside.Ifyoudonotchoosetounderstandme,forgivemyimper-tinence.YouruncleisasmuchsurprisedasIam—andnothingbutthebeliefofyourbeingapartyconcernedwouldhaveallowedhimtoactashehasdone.Butifyouarereallyinnocentandignorant,Imustbemoreexplicit.“OntheverydayofmycominghomefromLongbourn,yourunclehadamostunex-

pectedvisitor.Mr.Darcy called, andwas shutupwithhim several hours. Itwas alloverbeforeIarrived;somycuriositywasnotsodreadfullyrackedasyoursseemstohavebeen.HecametotellMr.GardinerthathehadfoundoutwhereyoursisterandMr.Wickhamwere,andthathehadseenandtalkedwiththemboth;Wickhamrepeat-edly,Lydiaonce.FromwhatIcancollect,heleftDerbyshireonlyonedayafterour-selves,andcametotownwiththeresolutionofhuntingforthem.ThemotiveprofessedwashisconvictionofitsbeingowingtohimselfthatWickham’sworthlessnesshadnotbeensowellknownastomakeitimpossibleforanyyoungwomanofcharactertoloveorconfide inhim.Hegenerously imputed thewhole tohismistakenpride,andcon-fessedthathehadbeforethoughtitbeneathhimtolayhisprivateactionsopentotheworld.Hischaracterwastospeakforitself.Hecalledit,therefore,hisdutytostepfor-ward,andendeavour toremedyanevilwhichhadbeenbroughtonbyhimself. Ifhehadanothermotive,Iamsureitwouldneverdisgracehim.Hehadbeensomedaysin

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town,beforehewasabletodiscoverthem;buthehadsomethingtodirecthissearch,whichwasmorethanwehad;andtheconsciousnessofthiswasanotherreasonforhisresolvingtofollowus.“There is a lady, it seems, aMrs.Younge,whowas some time ago governess to

Miss Darcy, and was dismissed from her charge on some cause of disapprobation,though he did not saywhat. She then took a large house in Edward-street, and hassincemaintained herself by letting lodgings. ThisMrs. Youngewas, he knew, inti-matelyacquaintedwithWickham;andhewenttoherforintelligenceofhimassoonashe got to town.But itwas two or three days before he could get fromherwhat hewanted.Shewouldnotbetrayhertrust,Isuppose,withoutbriberyandcorruption,forshereallydidknowwhereherfriendwas tobefound.Wickhamindeedhadgone toher on their first arrival in London, and had she been able to receive them into herhouse, theywouldhave takenup theirabodewithher.At length,however,ourkindfriendprocuredthewished-fordirection.Theywerein——street.HesawWickham,andafterwards insistedon seeingLydia.His firstobjectwithher,he acknowledged,had been to persuade her to quit her present disgraceful situation, and return to herfriendsassoonastheycouldbeprevailedontoreceiveher,offeringhisassistance,asfar as itwould go.But he foundLydia absolutely resolved on remainingwhere shewas.Shecaredfornoneofherfriends;shewantednohelpofhis;shewouldnothearofleavingWickham.Shewassuretheyshouldbemarriedsometimeorother,anditdidnotmuchsignifywhen.Sincesuchwereherfeelings,itonlyremained,hethought,tosecureandexpediteamarriage,which,inhisveryfirstconversationwithWickham,heeasilylearnthadneverbeenhisdesign.Heconfessedhimselfobligedtoleavetheregiment,onaccountofsomedebtsofhonour,whichwereverypressing;andscruplednottolayalltheill-consequencesofLydia’sflightonherownfollyalone.Hemeanttoresignhiscommissionimmediately;andastohisfuturesituation,hecouldconjectureverylittleaboutit.Hemustgosomewhere,buthedidnotknowwhere,andheknewheshouldhavenothingtoliveon.“Mr.Darcyaskedhimwhyhehadnotmarriedyoursisteratonce.ThoughMr.Ben-

netwasnot imagined tobevery rich,hewouldhavebeenable todo something forhim,andhissituationmusthavebeenbenefitedbymarriage.Buthefound,inreplytothis question, thatWickham still cherished the hope ofmore effectuallymaking hisfortune bymarriage in some other country.Under such circumstances, however, hewasnotlikelytobeproofagainstthetemptationofimmediaterelief.“Theymet several times, for therewasmuch tobediscussed.Wickhamofcourse

wantedmorethanhecouldget;butatlengthwasreducedtobereasonable.“Everythingbeing settledbetween them,Mr.Darcy’s next stepwas tomakeyour

uncleacquaintedwithit,andhefirstcalledinGracechurchstreettheeveningbeforeIcamehome.ButMr.Gardinercouldnotbeseen,andMr.Darcyfound,onfurtherin-

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quiry, thatyour fatherwasstillwithhim,butwouldquit townthenextmorning.Hedidnot judgeyour father tobeapersonwhomhecouldsoproperlyconsultasyouruncle,andthereforereadilypostponedseeinghimtillafterthedepartureoftheformer.Hedidnot leavehisname,and till thenextday itwasonlyknownthatagentlemanhadcalledonbusiness.“OnSaturdayhecameagain.Yourfatherwasgone,youruncleathome,and,asI

saidbefore,theyhadagreatdealoftalktogether.“TheymetagainonSunday, and then I sawhim too. Itwasnot all settledbefore

Monday:assoonasitwas,theexpresswassentofftoLongbourn.Butourvisitorwasveryobstinate.Ifancy,Lizzy,thatobstinacyistherealdefectofhischaracter,afterall.Hehasbeenaccusedofmanyfaultsatdifferenttimes,butthisisthetrueone.Nothingwastobedonethathedidnotdohimself;thoughIamsure(andIdonotspeakittobethanked,thereforesaynothingaboutit),yourunclewouldmostreadilyhavesettledthewhole.“Theybattledittogetherforalongtime,whichwasmorethaneitherthegentleman

orladyconcernedinitdeserved.Butatlastyourunclewasforcedtoyield,andinsteadofbeingallowedtobeofusetohisniece,wasforcedtoputupwithonlyhavingtheprobablecreditofit,whichwentsorelyagainstthegrain;andIreallybelieveyourlet-terthismorninggavehimgreatpleasure,becauseitrequiredanexplanationthatwouldrobhimofhisborrowedfeathers,andgivethepraisewhereitwasdue.But,Lizzy,thismustgonofartherthanyourself,orJaneatmost.“Youknowprettywell, I suppose,whathasbeendone for theyoungpeople.His

debts are to be paid, amounting, I believe, to considerably more than a thousandpounds,anotherthousandinadditiontoherownsettleduponher,andhiscommissionpurchased.Thereasonwhyall thiswastobedonebyhimalone,wassuchasIhavegivenabove.Itwasowingtohim,tohisreserveandwantofproperconsideration,thatWickham’scharacterhadbeensomisunderstood,andconsequently thathehadbeenreceivedandnoticedashewas.Perhapstherewassometruthin this; thoughIdoubtwhetherhisreserve,oranybody’sreserve,canbeanswerablefortheevent.Butinspiteofallthisfinetalking,mydearLizzy,youmayrestperfectlyassuredthatyourunclewouldneverhaveyielded,ifwehadnotgivenhimcreditforanotherinterestintheaf-fair.“Whenallthiswasresolvedon,hereturnedagaintohisfriends,whowerestillstay-

ingatPemberley;butitwasagreedthatheshouldbeinLondononcemorewhentheweddingtookplace,andallmoneymatterswerethentoreceivethelastfinish.“IbelieveIhavenowtoldyoueverything.It isarelationwhichyoutellmeis to

giveyougreat surprise; I hope at least itwill not affordyou anydispleasure.Lydiacametous;andWickhamhadconstantadmissiontothehouse.Hewasexactlywhat

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hehadbeen,whenIknewhiminHertfordshire;butIwouldnot tellyouhowlittleIwas satisfiedwithher behaviourwhile she staidwith us, if I had not perceived, byJane’sletterlastWednesday,thatherconductoncominghomewasexactlyofapiecewithit,andthereforewhatInowtellyoucangiveyounofreshpain.Italkedtoherre-peatedlyinthemostseriousmanner,representingtoherallthewickednessofwhatshehaddone,andall theunhappinessshehadbroughtonherfamily.Ifsheheardme, itwasbygoodluck,forIamsureshedidnotlisten.Iwassometimesquiteprovoked,butthen I recollectedmydearElizabeth and Jane, and for their sakeshadpatiencewithher.“Mr. Darcy was punctual in his return, and as Lydia informed you, attended the

wedding.Hedinedwithusthenextday,andwastoleavetownagainonWednesdayorThursday.Willyoubeveryangrywithme,mydearLizzy,ifItakethisopportunityofsaying(whatIwasneverboldenoughtosaybefore)howmuchIlikehim.Hisbehav-iourtoushas,ineveryrespect,beenaspleasingaswhenwewereinDerbyshire.Hisunderstandingandopinionsallpleaseme;hewantsnothingbutalittlemoreliveliness,andthat, ifhemarryprudently,hiswifemayteachhim.Ithoughthimverysly;—hehardlyevermentionedyourname.Butslynessseemsthefashion.“PrayforgivemeifIhavebeenverypresuming,oratleastdonotpunishmesofar

as to excludeme fromP. I shall neverbequitehappy till I havebeen all round thepark.Alowphaeton,withanicelittlepairofponies,wouldbetheverything.“ButImustwritenomore.Thechildrenhavebeenwantingmethishalfhour.

“Yours,verysincerely,“M.GARDINER.”

Thecontentsof this letter threwElizabeth intoa flutterof spirits, inwhich itwasdifficulttodeterminewhetherpleasureorpainborethegreatestshare.Thevagueandunsettled suspicionswhich uncertainty had produced ofwhatMr.Darcymight havebeendoingtoforwardhersister’smatch,whichshehadfearedtoencourageasanex-ertionofgoodness toogreat tobeprobable,andat thesametimedreaded tobe just,from thepainofobligation,wereprovedbeyond theirgreatest extent tobe true!Hehadfollowedthempurposelytotown,hehadtakenonhimselfallthetroubleandmor-tificationattendantonsucharesearch;inwhichsupplicationhadbeennecessarytoawomanwhomhemustabominateanddespise,andwherehewasreducedtomeet,fre-quentlymeet,reasonwith,persuade,andfinallybribe,themanwhomhealwaysmostwishedtoavoid,andwhoseverynameitwaspunishmenttohimtopronounce.Hehaddoneallthisforagirlwhomhecouldneitherregardnoresteem.Herheartdidwhisperthathehaddoneitforher.Butitwasahopeshortlycheckedbyotherconsiderations,

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andshesoonfeltthatevenhervanitywasinsufficient,whenrequiredtodependonhisaffectionforher—forawomanwhohadalreadyrefusedhim—asabletoovercomeasentimentsonaturalasabhorrenceagainstrelationshipwithWickham.Brother-in-lawofWickham!Everykindofpridemustrevoltfromtheconnection.Hehad,tobesure,donemuch.Shewasashamedtothinkhowmuch.Buthehadgivenareasonforhisin-terference,which asked no extraordinary stretch of belief. Itwas reasonable that heshouldfeelhehadbeenwrong;hehadliberality,andhehadthemeansofexercisingit;and though shewould not place herself as his principal inducement, she could, per-haps,believe that remainingpartiality forhermight assisthis endeavours in a causewhere her peace ofmindmust bematerially concerned. Itwas painful, exceedinglypainful,toknowthattheywereunderobligationstoapersonwhocouldneverreceiveareturn.Theyowed therestorationofLydia,hercharacter,every thing, tohim.Oh!howheartilydidshegrieveovereveryungracioussensationshehadeverencouraged,everysaucyspeechshehadeverdirectedtowardshim.Forherselfshewashumbled;but shewas proudof him.Proud that in a cause of compassion andhonour, he hadbeenabletogetthebetterofhimself.Shereadoverheraunt’scommendationofhimagain and again. Itwas hardly enough; but it pleasedher. Shewas even sensible ofsomepleasure,thoughmixedwithregret,onfindinghowsteadfastlybothsheandherunclehadbeenpersuadedthataffectionandconfidencesubsistedbetweenMr.Darcyandherself.Shewasrousedfromherseat,andherreflections,bysomeone’sapproach;andbe-

foreshecouldstrikeintoanotherpath,shewasovertakenbyWickham.“IamafraidIinterruptyoursolitaryramble,mydearsister?”saidhe,ashejoined

her.“Youcertainlydo,”sherepliedwithasmile;“butitdoesnotfollowthattheinter-

ruptionmustbeunwelcome.”“Ishouldbesorryindeed,ifitwere.Wewerealwaysgoodfriends;andnowweare

better.”“True.Aretheotherscomingout?”“Idonotknow.Mrs.BennetandLydiaaregoinginthecarriagetoMeryton.And

so,mydearsister,Ifind,fromouruncleandaunt,thatyouhaveactuallyseenPember-ley.”Sherepliedintheaffirmative.“Ialmostenvyyouthepleasure,andyetIbelieveitwouldbetoomuchforme,or

elseIcouldtakeitinmywaytoNewcastle.Andyousawtheoldhousekeeper,Isup-pose?PoorReynolds,shewasalwaysveryfondofme.Butofcourseshedidnotmen-tionmynametoyou.”“Yes,shedid.”

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“Andwhatdidshesay?”“Thatyouweregoneintothearmy,andshewasafraidhad—notturnedoutwell.At

suchadistanceasthat,youknow,thingsarestrangelymisrepresented.”“Certainly,”hereplied,bitinghislips.Elizabethhopedshehadsilencedhim;buthe

soonafterwardssaid:“I was surprised to see Darcy in town last month.We passed each other several

times.Iwonderwhathecanbedoingthere.”“PerhapspreparingforhismarriagewithMissdeBourgh,”saidElizabeth.“Itmust

besomethingparticular,totakehimthereatthistimeofyear.”“Undoubtedly.DidyouseehimwhileyouwereatLambton?IthoughtIunderstood

fromtheGardinersthatyouhad.”“Yes;heintroducedustohissister.”“Anddoyoulikeher?”“Verymuch.”“I have heard, indeed, that she is uncommonly improvedwithin this year or two.

WhenIlastsawher,shewasnotverypromising.Iamverygladyoulikedher.Ihopeshewillturnoutwell.”“Idaresayshewill;shehasgotoverthemosttryingage.”“DidyougobythevillageofKympton?”“Idonotrecollectthatwedid.”“Imentionit,becauseitisthelivingwhichIoughttohavehad.Amostdelightful

place!—ExcellentParsonageHouse!Itwouldhavesuitedmeineveryrespect.”“Howshouldyouhavelikedmakingsermons?”“Exceedinglywell.Ishouldhaveconsidereditaspartofmyduty,andtheexertion

would soon have been nothing.One ought not to repine;—but, to be sure, itwouldhavebeensuchathingforme!Thequiet,theretirementofsuchalifewouldhavean-sweredallmyideasofhappiness!Butitwasnottobe.DidyoueverhearDarcymen-tionthecircumstance,whenyouwereinKent?”“Ihaveheardfromauthority,whichIthoughtasgood,thatitwasleftyoucondition-

allyonly,andatthewillofthepresentpatron.”“Youhave.Yes,therewassomethinginthat;Itoldyousofromthefirst,youmay

remember.”“Ididhear,too,thattherewasatime,whensermon-makingwasnotsopalatableto

youasitseemstobeatpresent;thatyouactuallydeclaredyourresolutionofnevertak-ingorders,andthatthebusinesshadbeencompromisedaccordingly.”“Youdid!anditwasnotwhollywithoutfoundation.YoumayrememberwhatItold

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youonthatpoint,whenfirstwetalkedofit.”Theywerenowalmostatthedoorofthehouse,forshehadwalkedfasttogetridof

him;andunwilling,forhersister’ssake,toprovokehim,sheonlysaidinreply,withagood-humouredsmile:“Come,Mr.Wickham,wearebrotherandsister,youknow.Donot letusquarrel

aboutthepast.Infuture,Ihopeweshallbealwaysofonemind.”She held out her hand; he kissed it with affectionate gallantry, though he hardly

knewhowtolook,andtheyenteredthehouse.

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Mr.Wickhamwassoperfectlysatisfiedwith thisconversation thatheneveragaindistressedhimself,orprovokedhisdearsisterElizabeth,byintroducingthesubjectofit;andshewaspleasedtofindthatshehadsaidenoughtokeephimquiet.The day of his andLydia’s departure soon came, andMrs.Bennetwas forced to

submittoaseparation,which,asherhusbandbynomeansenteredintoherschemeoftheirallgoingtoNewcastle,waslikelytocontinueatleastatwelvemonth.“Oh!mydearLydia,”shecried,“whenshallwemeetagain?”“Oh,lord!Idon’tknow.Notthesetwoorthreeyears,perhaps.”“Writetomeveryoften,mydear.”“AsoftenasIcan.Butyouknowmarriedwomenhavenevermuchtimeforwriting.

Mysistersmaywritetome.Theywillhavenothingelsetodo.”Mr.Wickham’s adieus were much more affectionate than his wife’s. He smiled,

lookedhandsome,andsaidmanyprettythings.“Heisasfineafellow,”saidMr.Bennet,assoonastheywereoutofthehouse,“as

everIsaw.Hesimpers,andsmirks,andmakeslovetousall.Iamprodigiouslyproudofhim.IdefyevenSirWilliamLucashimselftoproduceamorevaluableson-in-law.”ThelossofherdaughtermadeMrs.Bennetverydullforseveraldays.“Ioftenthink,”saidshe,“thatthereisnothingsobadaspartingwithone’sfriends.

Oneseemssoforlornwithoutthem.”“Thisistheconsequence,yousee,Madam,ofmarryingadaughter,”saidElizabeth.

“Itmustmakeyoubettersatisfiedthatyourotherfouraresingle.”“It isnosuchthing.Lydiadoesnot leavemebecauseshe ismarried,butonlybe-

cause her husband’s regiment happens to be so far off. If that had been nearer, shewouldnothavegonesosoon.”Butthespiritlessconditionwhichthiseventthrewherintowasshortlyrelieved,and

hermindopenedagaintotheagitationofhope,byanarticleofnewswhichthenbegantobeincirculation.ThehousekeeperatNetherfieldhadreceivedorderstoprepareforthearrivalofhermaster,whowascomingdowninadayortwo,toshootthereforsev-eralweeks.Mrs.Bennetwasquiteinthefidgets.ShelookedatJane,andsmiledand

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shookherheadbyturns.“Well, well, and soMr. Bingley is coming down, sister,” (forMrs. Phillips first

broughtherthenews).“Well,somuchthebetter.NotthatIcareaboutit,though.Heisnothingtous,youknow,andIamsureIneverwanttoseehimagain.But,however,heisverywelcometocometoNetherfield,ifhelikesit.Andwhoknowswhatmayhap-pen?Butthatisnothingtous.Youknow,sister,weagreedlongagonevertomentionawordaboutit.Andso,isitquitecertainheiscoming?”“Youmaydependonit,”repliedtheother,“forMrs.NichollswasinMerytonlast

night; Isawherpassingby,andwentoutmyselfonpurpose toknowthe truthof it;andshetoldmethatitwascertaintrue.HecomesdownonThursdayatthelatest,verylikelyonWednesday.Shewasgoingtothebutcher’s,shetoldme,onpurposetoorderin some meat onWednesday, and she has got three couple of ducks just fit to bekilled.”MissBennethadnotbeenabletohearofhiscomingwithoutchangingcolour.Itwas

manymonthssinceshehadmentionedhisnametoElizabeth;butnow,assoonastheywerealonetogether,shesaid:“Isawyoulookatmeto-day,Lizzy,whenmyaunttoldusofthepresentreport;and

IknowIappeareddistressed.Butdon’timagineitwasfromanysillycause.Iwasonlyconfusedforthemoment,becauseIfeltthatIshouldbelookedat.Idoassureyouthatthenewsdoesnotaffectmeeitherwithpleasureorpain.Iamgladofonething,thathecomesalone;becauseweshallseethelessofhim.NotthatIamafraidofmyself,butIdreadotherpeople’sremarks.”Elizabethdidnotknowwhattomakeofit.HadshenotseenhiminDerbyshire,she

mighthavesupposedhimcapableofcomingtherewithnootherviewthanwhatwasacknowledged; but she still thought him partial to Jane, and she wavered as to thegreater probability of his coming therewith his friend’s permission, or being boldenoughtocomewithoutit.“Yetitishard,”shesometimesthought,“thatthispoormancannotcometoahouse

whichhehaslegallyhired,withoutraisingallthisspeculation!Iwillleavehimtohim-self.”Inspiteofwhathersisterdeclared,andreallybelievedtobeherfeelingsintheex-

pectationofhisarrival,Elizabethcouldeasilyperceivethatherspiritswereaffectedbyit.Theyweremoredisturbed,moreunequal,thanshehadoftenseenthem.The subject which had been sowarmly canvassed between their parents, about a

twelvemonthago,wasnowbroughtforwardagain.“AssoonaseverMr.Bingleycomes,mydear,”saidMrs.Bennet,“youwillwaiton

himofcourse.”“No,no.Youforcedmeintovisitinghimlastyear,andpromised, if Iwent tosee

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him,heshouldmarryoneofmydaughters.Butitendedinnothing,andIwillnotbesentonafool’serrandagain.”Hiswife represented tohimhowabsolutelynecessary such an attentionwouldbe

fromalltheneighbouringgentlemen,onhisreturningtoNetherfield.“’Tisanetiquette Idespise,”saidhe.“Ifhewantsoursociety, lethimseek it.He

knowswherewelive.Iwillnotspendmyhoursinrunningaftermyneighbourseverytimetheygoawayandcomebackagain.”“Well,allIknowis,thatitwillbeabominablyrudeifyoudonotwaitonhim.But,

however, thatshan’tpreventmyaskinghimtodinehere,Iamdetermined.WemusthaveMrs.Long and theGouldings soon.Thatwillmake thirteenwithourselves, sotherewillbejustroomattableforhim.”Consoledbythisresolution,shewasthebetterabletobearherhusband’sincivility;

thoughitwasverymortifyingtoknowthatherneighboursmightallseeMr.Bingley,inconsequenceofit,beforetheydid.Asthedayofhisarrivaldrewnear,—“Ibegintobesorrythathecomesatall,”saidJanetohersister.“Itwouldbenoth-

ing;Icouldseehimwithperfectindifference,butIcanhardlybeartohearitthusper-petuallytalkedof.Mymothermeanswell;butshedoesnotknow,noonecanknow,howmuchIsufferfromwhatshesays.HappyshallIbe,whenhisstayatNetherfieldisover!”“IwishIcouldsayanythingtocomfortyou,”repliedElizabeth;“butitiswhollyout

ofmypower.Youmust feel it; and theusual satisfactionofpreachingpatience toasuffererisdeniedme,becauseyouhavealwayssomuch.”Mr.Bingley arrived.Mrs.Bennet, through the assistanceof servants, contrived to

have the earliest tidings of it, that the period of anxiety and fretfulness on her sidemightbeaslongasitcould.Shecountedthedaysthatmustintervenebeforetheirinvi-tationcouldbesent;hopelessofseeinghimbefore.ButonthethirdmorningafterhisarrivalinHertfordshire,shesawhim,fromherdressing-roomwindow,enterthepad-dockandridetowardsthehouse.Her daughterswere eagerly called to partake of her joy. Jane resolutely kept her

place at the table; but Elizabeth, to satisfy her mother, went to the window—shelooked,—shesawMr.Darcywithhim,andsatdownagainbyhersister.“Thereisagentlemanwithhim,mamma,”saidKitty;“whocanitbe?”“Someacquaintanceorother,mydear,Isuppose;IamsureIdonotknow.”“La!”repliedKitty,“itlooksjustlikethatmanthatusedtobewithhimbefore.Mr.

what’s-his-name.Thattall,proudman.”“Goodgracious!Mr.Darcy!—andsoitdoes,Ivow.Well,anyfriendofMr.Bing-

ley’swillalwaysbewelcomehere,tobesure;butelseImustsaythatIhatethevery

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sightofhim.”Jane looked at Elizabeth with surprise and concern. She knew but little of their

meetinginDerbyshire,andthereforefeltfortheawkwardnesswhichmustattendhersister,inseeinghimalmostforthefirsttimeafterreceivinghisexplanatoryletter.Bothsisterswere uncomfortable enough. Each felt for the other, and of course for them-selves;andtheirmothertalkedon,ofherdislikeofMr.Darcy,andherresolutiontobeciviltohimonlyasMr.Bingley’sfriend,withoutbeingheardbyeitherofthem.ButElizabethhadsourcesofuneasinesswhichcouldnotbesuspectedbyJane, towhomshe had never yet had courage to shewMrs. Gardiner’s letter, or to relate her ownchangeofsentiment towardshim.ToJane,hecouldbeonlyamanwhoseproposalsshehadrefused,andwhosemeritshehadundervalued;buttoherownmoreextensiveinformation,hewasthepersontowhomthewholefamilywereindebtedforthefirstofbenefits,andwhomsheregardedherselfwithaninterest,ifnotquitesotender,atleastasreasonableandjustaswhatJanefeltforBingley.Herastonishmentathiscoming—athiscomingtoNetherfield,toLongbourn,andvoluntarilyseekingheragain,wasal-most equal towhat shehadknownon firstwitnessinghis alteredbehaviour inDer-byshire.Thecolourwhichhadbeendrivenfromherface,returnedforhalfaminutewithan

additionalglow,andasmileofdelightaddedlustretohereyes,asshethoughtforthatspaceoftimethathisaffectionandwishesmuststillbeunshaken.Butshewouldnotbesecure.“Letmefirstseehowhebehaves,”saidshe;“itwillthenbeearlyenoughforexpec-

tation.”Shesatintentlyatwork,strivingtobecomposed,andwithoutdaringtoliftupher

eyes,tillanxiouscuriositycarriedthemtothefaceofhersisterastheservantwasap-proachingthedoor.Janelookedalittlepalerthanusual,butmoresedatethanElizabethhad expected.On the gentlemen’s appearing, her colour increased; yet she receivedthem with tolerable ease, and with a propriety of behaviour equally free from anysymptomofresentmentoranyunnecessarycomplaisance.Elizabethsaidas little toeitherascivilitywouldallow,andsatdownagain toher

work,withaneagernesswhichitdidnotoftencommand.ShehadventuredonlyoneglanceatDarcy.He lookedserious,asusual;and,she thought,moreashehadbeenusedtolookinHertfordshire,thanasshehadseenhimatPemberley.But,perhapshecouldnotinhermother’spresencebewhathewasbeforeheruncleandaunt.Itwasapainful,butnotanimprobable,conjecture.Bingley,shehadlikewiseseenforaninstant,andinthatshortperiodsawhimlook-

ingbothpleasedandembarrassed.HewasreceivedbyMrs.Bennetwithadegreeofcivilitywhichmadeher twodaughtersashamed,especiallywhencontrastedwith the

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coldandceremoniouspolitenessofhercurtseyandaddresstohisfriend.Elizabeth,particularly,whoknewthathermotherowedtothelatterthepreservation

ofherfavouritedaughterfromirremediableinfamy,washurtanddistressedtoamostpainfuldegreebyadistinctionsoillapplied.Darcy,afterinquiringofherhowMr.andMrs.Gardinerdid,aquestionwhichshe

couldnotanswerwithoutconfusion,saidscarcelyanything.Hewasnotseatedbyher;perhapsthatwasthereasonofhissilence;butithadnotbeensoinDerbyshire.Therehehad talked toher friends,whenhe couldnot toherself.Butnowseveralminuteselapsedwithoutbringingthesoundofhisvoice;andwhenoccasionally,unabletore-sist the impulseof curiosity, she raisedher eyes tohis face, she asoften foundhimlookingatJaneasatherself,andfrequentlyonnoobjectbuttheground.Morethought-fulnessandlessanxietytoplease,thanwhentheylastmet,wereplainlyexpressed.Shewasdisappointed,andangrywithherselfforbeingso.“CouldIexpectittobeotherwise!”saidshe.“Yetwhydidhecome?”Shewasinnohumourforconversationwithanyonebuthimself;andtohimshehad

hardlycouragetospeak.Sheinquiredafterhissister,butcoulddonomore.“Itisalongtime,Mr.Bingley,sinceyouwentaway,”saidMrs.Bennet.Hereadilyagreedtoit.“Ibegantobeafraidyouwouldnevercomebackagain.Peopledidsayyoumeantto

quittheplaceentirelyatMichaelmas;but,however,Ihopeitisnottrue.Agreatmanychanges have happened in the neighbourhood, since youwent away.Miss Lucas ismarriedandsettled.Andoneofmyowndaughters.Isupposeyouhaveheardofit;in-deed, youmust have seen it in the papers. Itwas in TheTimes andTheCourier, Iknow; though itwas not put in as it ought to be. Itwas only said, ‘Lately,GeorgeWickham,Esq.toMissLydiaBennet,’withouttherebeingasyllablesaidofherfather,ortheplacewhereshelived,oranything.ItwasmybrotherGardiner’sdrawinguptoo,andIwonderhowhecametomakesuchanawkwardbusinessofit.Didyouseeit?”Bingleyrepliedthathedid,andmadehiscongratulations.Elizabethdarednotliftup

hereyes.HowMr.Darcylooked,therefore,shecouldnottell.“Itisadelightfulthing,tobesure,tohaveadaughterwellmarried,”continuedher

mother,“butat the same time,Mr.Bingley, it isveryhard tohaveher takensuchaway fromme.Theyaregonedown toNewcastle, aplacequitenorthward, it seems,andtheretheyaretostayIdonotknowhowlong.Hisregimentisthere;forIsupposeyouhaveheardofhis leavingthe——shire,andofhisbeinggoneinto theregulars.ThankHeaven!hehassomefriends,thoughperhapsnotsomanyashedeserves.”Elizabeth,whoknewthistobelevelledatMr.Darcy,wasinsuchmiseryofshame,

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thatshecouldhardlykeepherseat.Itdrewfromher,however,theexertionofspeak-ing,whichnothingelsehadsoeffectuallydonebefore;andsheaskedBingleywhetherhemeanttomakeanystayinthecountryatpresent.Afewweeks,hebelieved.“Whenyouhavekilledall yourownbirds,Mr.Bingley,” saidhermother, “Ibeg

youwillcomehere,andshootasmanyasyoupleaseonMr.Bennet’smanor.Iamsurehewillbevastlyhappytoobligeyou,andwillsaveallthebestofthecoviesforyou.”Elizabeth’smisery increased, at such unnecessary, such officious attention!Were

thesamefairprospecttoariseatpresentashadflatteredthemayearago,everything,shewaspersuaded,wouldbehasteningto thesamevexatiousconclusion.At that in-stant,shefeltthatyearsofhappinesscouldnotmakeJaneorherselfamendsformo-mentsofsuchpainfulconfusion.“Thefirstwishofmyheart,”saidshetoherself,“isnevermoretobeincompany

with either of them. Their society can afford no pleasure that will atone for suchwretchednessasthis!Letmeneverseeeitheroneortheotheragain!”Yet themisery, forwhich years of happinesswere to offer no compensation, re-

ceivedsoonafterwardsmaterialrelief,fromobservinghowmuchthebeautyofhersis-terre-kindledtheadmirationofherformerlover.Whenfirsthecamein,hehadspokentoherbutlittle;buteveryfiveminutesseemedtobegivinghermoreofhisattention.He foundher ashandsomeas shehadbeen last year; asgoodnatured, and asunaf-fected,thoughnotquitesochatty.Janewasanxiousthatnodifferenceshouldbeper-ceivedinheratall,andwasreallypersuadedthatshetalkedasmuchasever.Buthermindwassobusilyengaged,thatshedidnotalwaysknowwhenshewassilent.Whenthegentlemenrosetogoaway,Mrs.Bennetwasmindfulofherintendedci-

vility,andtheywereinvitedandengagedtodineatLongbourninafewdaystime.“Youarequiteavisitinmydebt,Mr.Bingley,”sheadded,“forwhenyouwentto

town last winter, you promised to take a family dinnerwith us, as soon as you re-turned.Ihavenotforgot,yousee;andIassureyou,Iwasverymuchdisappointedthatyoudidnotcomebackandkeepyourengagement.”Bingleylookedalittlesillyat thisreflection,andsaidsomethingofhisconcernat

havingbeenpreventedbybusiness.Theythenwentaway.Mrs.Bennethadbeenstronglyinclinedtoaskthemtostayanddinetherethatday;

but,thoughshealwayskeptaverygoodtable,shedidnotthinkanythinglessthantwocoursescouldbegoodenoughforamanonwhomshehadsuchanxiousdesigns,orsatisfytheappetiteandprideofonewhohadtenthousandayear.

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Assoonastheyweregone,Elizabethwalkedouttorecoverherspirits;orinotherwords, to dwellwithout interruption on those subjects thatmust deaden themmore.Mr.Darcy’sbehaviourastonishedandvexedher.“Why,ifhecameonlytobesilent,grave,andindifferent,”saidshe,“didhecomeat

all?”Shecouldsettleitinnowaythatgaveherpleasure.“He could be still amiable, still pleasing, tomy uncle and aunt, when he was in

town;andwhynottome?Ifhefearsme,whycomehither?Ifhenolongercaresforme,whysilent?Teasing,teasing,man!Iwillthinknomoreabouthim.”Herresolutionwasforashorttimeinvoluntarilykeptbytheapproachofhersister,

whojoinedherwithacheerfullook,whichshowedherbettersatisfiedwiththeirvisi-tors,thanElizabeth.“Now,” said she, “that this firstmeeting isover, I feel perfectly easy. I knowmy

ownstrength,andIshallneverbeembarrassedagainbyhiscoming.Iamgladhedineshere onTuesday. Itwill then be publicly seen that, on both sides,wemeet only ascommonandindifferentacquaintance.”“Yes,veryindifferentindeed,”saidElizabeth,laughingly.“Oh,Jane,takecare.”“MydearLizzy,youcannotthinkmesoweak,astobeindangernow?”“I thinkyouare inverygreatdangerofmakinghimasmuch in lovewithyouas

ever.”Theydidnotsee thegentlemenagain tillTuesday;andMrs.Bennet, in themean-

while,wasgivingwaytoallthehappyschemes,whichthegoodhumourandcommonpolitenessofBingley,inhalfanhour’svisit,hadrevived.OnTuesdaytherewasalargepartyassembledatLongbourn;andthetwowhowere

mostanxiouslyexpected,tothecreditoftheirpunctualityassportsmen,wereinverygood time.When theyrepaired to thedining-room,Elizabetheagerlywatched toseewhetherBingleywouldtaketheplace,which,inalltheirformerparties,hadbelongedtohim,byhersister.Herprudentmother,occupiedbythesameideas,forboretoinvitehimtositbyherself.Onenteringtheroom,heseemedtohesitate;butJanehappened

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tolookround,andhappenedtosmile:itwasdecided.Heplacedhimselfbyher.Elizabeth,witha triumphant sensation, looked towardshis friend.Hebore itwith

nobleindifference,andshewouldhaveimaginedthatBingleyhadreceivedhissanc-tiontobehappy,hadshenotseenhiseyeslikewiseturnedtowardsMr.Darcy,withanexpressionofhalf-laughingalarm.Hisbehaviourtohersisterwassuch,duringdinnertime,asshowedanadmirationof

her, which, though more guarded than formerly, persuaded Elizabeth, that if leftwhollytohimself,Jane’shappiness,andhisown,wouldbespeedilysecured.Thoughshedarednotdependupontheconsequence,sheyetreceivedpleasurefromobservinghisbehaviour.Itgaveheralltheanimationthatherspiritscouldboast;forshewasinnocheerfulhumour.Mr.Darcywasalmostas far fromheras the tablecoulddividethem.Hewasononesideofhermother.Sheknewhowlittlesuchasituationwouldgivepleasuretoeither,ormakeeitherappeartoadvantage.Shewasnotnearenoughtohearanyoftheirdiscourse,butshecouldseehowseldomtheyspoketoeachother,andhowformalandcoldwas theirmannerwhenever theydid.Hermother’sungracious-ness,madethesenseofwhattheyowedhimmorepainfultoElizabeth’smind;andshewould,attimes,havegivenanythingtobeprivilegedtotellhimthathiskindnesswasneitherunknownnorunfeltbythewholeofthefamily.Shewasinhopesthattheeveningwouldaffordsomeopportunityofbringingthem

together; that thewhole of the visit would not pass awaywithout enabling them toenter into somethingmore of conversation than themere ceremonious salutation at-tending his entrance. Anxious and uneasy, the periodwhich passed in the drawing-room, before the gentlemen came, was wearisome and dull to a degree that almostmadeheruncivil.She lookedforward to theirentranceas thepointonwhichallherchanceofpleasurefortheeveningmustdepend.“Ifhedoesnotcometome,then,”saidshe,“Ishallgivehimupforever.”Thegentlemencame;andshethoughthelookedasifhewouldhaveansweredher

hopes;but,alas!theladieshadcrowdedroundthetable,whereMissBennetwasmak-ingtea,andElizabethpouringoutthecoffee,insocloseaconfederacythattherewasnotasinglevacancynearherwhichwouldadmitofachair.Andonthegentlemen’sapproaching,oneofthegirlsmovedclosertoherthanever,andsaid,inawhisper:“Themen shan’t come and part us, I am determined.Wewant none of them; do

we?”Darcy hadwalked away to another part of the room. She followed himwith her

eyes,enviedeveryone towhomhespoke,hadscarcelypatienceenough tohelpany-bodytocoffee;andthenwasenragedagainstherselfforbeingsosilly!“Amanwhohasoncebeenrefused!HowcouldIeverbefoolishenoughtoexpecta

renewalofhislove?Isthereoneamongthesex,whowouldnotprotestagainstsucha

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weaknessasasecondproposaltothesamewoman?Thereisnoindignitysoabhorrenttotheirfeelings!”Shewasalittlerevived,however,byhisbringingbackhiscoffeecuphimself;and

sheseizedtheopportunityofsaying:“IsyoursisteratPemberleystill?”“Yes,shewillremaintheretillChristmas.”“Andquitealone?Haveallherfriendslefther?”“Mrs.Annesley iswith her. The others have been gone on to Scarborough, these

threeweeks.”Shecould thinkofnothingmore tosay;but ifhewished toconversewithher,he

might have better success.He stood by her, however, for someminutes, in silence;and,atlast,ontheyounglady’swhisperingtoElizabethagain,hewalkedaway.When the tea-thingswere removed,and thecard-tablesplaced, the ladiesall rose,

and Elizabethwas then hoping to be soon joined by him,when all her viewswereoverthrownbyseeinghimfallavictimtohermother’srapacityforwhistplayers,andinafewmomentsafterseatedwiththerestoftheparty.Shenowlosteveryexpecta-tionofpleasure.Theywereconfined for theeveningatdifferent tables,andshehadnothingtohope,butthathiseyesweresooftenturnedtowardshersideoftheroom,astomakehimplayasunsuccessfullyasherself.Mrs.BennethaddesignedtokeepthetwoNetherfieldgentlementosupper;buttheir

carriagewasunluckilyorderedbeforeanyoftheothers,andshehadnoopportunityofdetainingthem.“Wellgirls,”saidshe,assoonastheywerelefttothemselves,“Whatsayyoutothe

day?Ithinkeverythinghaspassedoffuncommonlywell,Iassureyou.ThedinnerwasaswelldressedasanyIeversaw.Thevenisonwasroastedtoaturn—andeverybodysaidtheyneversawsofatahaunch.ThesoupwasfiftytimesbetterthanwhatwehadattheLucases’lastweek;andevenMr.Darcyacknowledged,thatthepartridgeswereremarkablywelldone;andIsupposehehastwoorthreeFrenchcooksatleast.And,my dear Jane, I never saw you look in greater beauty.Mrs. Long said so too, for Iaskedherwhether youdidnot.Andwhat doyou think she saidbesides? ‘Ah!Mrs.Bennet,weshallhaveheratNetherfieldatlast.’Shedidindeed.IdothinkMrs.Longisasgoodacreatureaseverlived—andherniecesareveryprettybehavedgirls,andnotatallhandsome:Ilikethemprodigiously.”Mrs.Bennet, inshort,was inverygreatspirits; shehadseenenoughofBingley’s

behaviourtoJane,tobeconvincedthatshewouldgethimatlast;andherexpectationsofadvantagetoherfamily,wheninahappyhumour,weresofarbeyondreason,thatshewasquitedisappointedatnotseeinghimthereagainthenextday,tomakehispro-posals.

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“It has been a very agreeable day,” said Miss Bennet to Elizabeth. “The partyseemed sowell selected, so suitable onewith the other. I hopewemay oftenmeetagain.”Elizabethsmiled.“Lizzy,youmustnotdoso.Youmustnotsuspectme.Itmortifiesme.Iassureyou

that I havenow learnt to enjoyhis conversation as an agreeable and sensibleyoungman,withouthavingawishbeyondit.Iamperfectlysatisfied,fromwhathismannersnoware, thatheneverhadanydesignofengagingmyaffection. It isonly thathe isblessedwithgreatersweetnessofaddress,andastrongerdesireofgenerallypleasing,thananyotherman.”“Youareverycruel,”saidhersister,“youwillnotletmesmile,andareprovoking

metoiteverymoment.”“Howharditisinsomecasestobebelieved!”“Andhowimpossibleinothers!”“ButwhyshouldyouwishtopersuademethatIfeelmorethanIacknowledge?”“That is a questionwhich I hardly know how to answer.We all love to instruct,

thoughwecanteachonlywhatisnotworthknowing.Forgiveme;andifyoupersistinindifference,donotmakemeyourconfidante.”

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Afewdaysafterthisvisit,Mr.Bingleycalledagain,andalone.Hisfriendhadlefthim thatmorning forLondon,butwas to returnhome in tendays time.He satwiththemaboveanhour,andwasinremarkablygoodspirits.Mrs.Bennet invitedhimtodinewiththem;but,withmanyexpressionsofconcern,heconfessedhimselfengagedelsewhere.“Nexttimeyoucall,”saidshe,“Ihopeweshallbemorelucky.”He should be particularly happy at any time, etc. etc.; and if shewould give him

leave,wouldtakeanearlyopportunityofwaitingonthem.“Canyoucometo-morrow?”Yes, he hadno engagement at all for to-morrow; andher invitationwas accepted

withalacrity.Hecame,andinsuchverygoodtimethattheladieswerenoneofthemdressed.In

ranMrs.Bennettoherdaughter’sroom,inherdressinggown,andwithherhairhalffinished,cryingout:“MydearJane,makehasteandhurrydown.Heiscome—Mr.Bingleyiscome.He

is, indeed.Makehaste,makehaste.Here,Sarah,come toMissBennet thismoment,andhelpheronwithhergown.NevermindMissLizzy’shair.”“Wewillbedownassoonaswecan,”saidJane;“butIdaresayKittyisforwarder

thaneitherofus,forshewentupstairshalfanhourago.”“Oh!hangKitty!whathas she todowith it?Comebequick,bequick!Where is

yoursash,mydear?”Butwhenhermotherwasgone,Janewouldnotbeprevailedontogodownwithout

oneofhersisters.Thesameanxietytogetthembythemselveswasvisibleagainintheevening.After

tea,Mr.Bennetretiredtothelibrary,aswashiscustom,andMarywentupstairstoherinstrument.Twoobstaclesofthefivebeingthusremoved,Mrs.BennetsatlookingandwinkingatElizabethandCatherine foraconsiderable time,withoutmakingany im-pressiononthem.Elizabethwouldnotobserveher;andwhenatlastKittydid,sheveryinnocentlysaid,“What is themattermamma?Whatdoyoukeepwinkingatmefor?

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WhatamItodo?”“Nothing child, nothing. I did not wink at you.” She then sat still five minutes

longer;butunabletowastesuchapreciousoccasion,shesuddenlygotup,andsayingtoKitty,“Comehere,mylove,Iwanttospeaktoyou,”tookheroutoftheroom.JaneinstantlygavealookatElizabethwhichspokeherdistressatsuchpremeditation,andherentreatythatshewouldnotgiveintoit.Inafewminutes,Mrs.Bennethalf-openedthedoorandcalledout:“Lizzy,mydear,Iwanttospeakwithyou.”Elizabethwasforcedtogo.“Wemayaswellleavethembythemselvesyouknow;”saidhermother,assoonas

shewasinthehall.“KittyandIaregoingupstairstositinmydressing-room.”Elizabethmadenoattempt to reasonwithhermother,but remainedquietly in the

hall,tillsheandKittywereoutofsight,thenreturnedintothedrawing-room.Mrs.Bennet’sschemesfor thisdaywere ineffectual.Bingleywasevery thing that

wascharming,except theprofessed loverofherdaughter.Hiseaseandcheerfulnessrenderedhimamostagreeableadditiontotheireveningparty;andheborewiththeill-judgedofficiousnessofthemother,andheardallhersillyremarkswithaforbearanceandcommandofcountenanceparticularlygratefultothedaughter.He scarcelyneededan invitation to stay supper; andbeforehewent away, anen-

gagementwasformed,chieflythroughhisownandMrs.Bennet’smeans,forhiscom-ingnextmorningtoshootwithherhusband.Afterthisday,Janesaidnomoreofherindifference.Notawordpassedbetweenthe

sistersconcerningBingley;butElizabethwenttobedinthehappybeliefthatallmustspeedily be concluded, unlessMr. Darcy returnedwithin the stated time. Seriously,however,shefelttolerablypersuadedthatallthismusthavetakenplacewiththatgen-tleman’sconcurrence.Bingleywaspunctualtohisappointment;andheandMr.Bennetspentthemorning

together,ashadbeenagreedon.Thelatterwasmuchmoreagreeablethanhiscompan-ionexpected.TherewasnothingofpresumptionorfollyinBingleythatcouldprovokehisridicule,ordisgusthimintosilence;andhewasmorecommunicative,andlessec-centric,thantheotherhadeverseenhim.Bingleyofcoursereturnedwithhimtodin-ner;andintheeveningMrs.Bennet’sinventionwasagainatworktogeteverybodyaway fromhimandherdaughter.Elizabeth,whohada letter towrite,went into thebreakfast roomfor thatpurposesoonafter tea; foras theotherswereallgoing tositdowntocards,shecouldnotbewantedtocounteracthermother’sschemes.Butonreturningtothedrawing-room,whenherletterwasfinished,shesaw,toher

infinitesurprise, therewasreason to fear thathermotherhadbeen too ingeniousforher.Onopeningthedoor,sheperceivedhersisterandBingleystandingtogetherover

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thehearth,asifengagedinearnestconversation;andhadthisledtonosuspicion,thefacesofboth, as theyhastily turned roundandmovedaway fromeachother,wouldhave told it all.Their situationwas awkward enough; buthers she thoughtwas stillworse.Notasyllablewasutteredbyeither;andElizabethwason thepointofgoingawayagain,whenBingley,whoaswellastheotherhadsatdown,suddenlyrose,andwhisperingafewwordstohersister,ranoutoftheroom.JanecouldhavenoreservesfromElizabeth,whereconfidencewouldgivepleasure;

andinstantlyembracingher,acknowledged,withtheliveliestemotion,thatshewasthehappiestcreatureintheworld.“’Tistoomuch!”sheadded,“byfartoomuch.Idonotdeserveit.Oh!whyisnot

everybodyashappy?”Elizabeth’scongratulationsweregivenwithasincerity,awarmth,adelight,which

wordscouldbutpoorlyexpress.Everysentenceofkindnesswasafreshsourceofhap-pinesstoJane.Butshewouldnotallowherselftostaywithhersister,orsayhalfthatremainedtobesaidforthepresent.“Imust go instantly tomymother;” she cried. “Iwouldnot on any account trifle

withheraffectionatesolicitude;orallowhertohearitfromanyonebutmyself.Heisgonetomyfatheralready.Oh!Lizzy,toknowthatwhatIhavetorelatewillgivesuchpleasuretoallmydearfamily!howshallIbearsomuchhappiness!”Shethenhastenedawaytohermother,whohadpurposelybrokenupthecardparty,

andwassittingupstairswithKitty.Elizabeth,whowasleftbyherself,nowsmiledattherapidityandeasewithwhich

anaffairwasfinallysettled,thathadgiventhemsomanypreviousmonthsofsuspenseandvexation.“Andthis,”saidshe,“istheendofallhisfriend’sanxiouscircumspection!ofallhis

sister’sfalsehoodandcontrivance!thehappiest,wisest,mostreasonableend!”InafewminutesshewasjoinedbyBingley,whoseconferencewithherfatherhad

beenshortandtothepurpose.“Whereisyoursister?”saidhehastily,asheopenedthedoor.“Withmymotherupstairs.Shewillbedowninamoment,Idaresay.”Hethenshutthedoor,and,cominguptoher,claimedthegoodwishesandaffection

ofasister.Elizabethhonestlyandheartilyexpressedherdelightintheprospectoftheirrelationship. They shook hands with great cordiality; and then, till her sister camedown,shehadtolistentoallhehadtosayofhisownhappiness,andofJane’sperfec-tions;andinspiteofhisbeingalover,Elizabethreallybelievedallhisexpectationsoffelicitytoberationallyfounded,becausetheyhadforbasistheexcellentunderstand-ing, and super-excellent disposition of Jane, and a general similarity of feeling and

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tastebetweenherandhimself.Itwasaneveningofnocommondelighttothemall; thesatisfactionofMissBen-

net’smindgaveaglowofsuchsweetanimationtoherface,asmadeherlookhand-somer than ever. Kitty simpered and smiled, and hoped her turnwas coming soon.Mrs. Bennet could not give her consent or speak her approbation in terms warmenoughtosatisfyherfeelings,thoughshetalkedtoBingleyofnothingelseforhalfanhour; and when Mr. Bennet joined them at supper, his voice and manner plainlyshowedhowreallyhappyhewas.Notaword,however,passedhislipsinallusiontoit,tilltheirvisitortookhisleave

forthenight;butassoonashewasgone,heturnedtohisdaughter,andsaid:“Jane,Icongratulateyou.Youwillbeaveryhappywoman.”Janewenttohiminstantly,kissedhim,andthankedhimforhisgoodness.“Youareagoodgirl;”hereplied,“andIhavegreatpleasureinthinkingyouwillbe

sohappilysettled.Ihavenotadoubtofyourdoingverywelltogether.Yourtempersarebynomeansunlike.Youareeachofyousocomplying,thatnothingwilleverberesolvedon;soeasy,thateveryservantwillcheatyou;andsogenerous,thatyouwillalwaysexceedyourincome.”“Ihopenot so. Imprudenceor thoughtlessness inmoneymatterswouldbeunpar-

donableinme.”“Exceedtheirincome!MydearMr.Bennet,”criedhiswife,“whatareyoutalking

of?Why,hehasfourorfivethousandayear,andverylikelymore.”Thenaddressingherdaughter,“Oh!mydear,dearJane,Iamsohappy!IamsureIshan’tgetawinkofsleepallnight.Iknewhowitwouldbe.Ialwayssaiditmustbeso,atlast.Iwassureyoucouldnotbesobeautifulfornothing!Iremember,assoonaseverIsawhim,whenhefirstcameintoHertfordshirelastyear,Ithoughthowlikelyitwasthatyoushouldcometogether.Oh!heisthehandsomestyoungmanthateverwasseen!”Wickham, Lydia, were all forgotten. Jane was beyond competition her favourite

child.Atthatmoment,shecaredfornoother.Heryoungersisterssoonbegantomakeinterestwithherforobjectsofhappinesswhichshemightinfuturebeabletodispense.MarypetitionedfortheuseofthelibraryatNetherfield;andKittybeggedveryhard

forafewballsthereeverywinter.Bingley, from this time,was of course a daily visitor at Longbourn; coming fre-

quently before breakfast, and always remaining till after supper; unless when somebarbarousneighbour,whocouldnotbeenoughdetested,hadgivenhimaninvitationtodinnerwhichhethoughthimselfobligedtoaccept.Elizabethhadnowbutlittletimeforconversationwithhersister;forwhilehewas

present,Janehadnoattentiontobestowonanyoneelse;butshefoundherselfconsid-

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erablyusefultobothoftheminthosehoursofseparationthatmustsometimesoccur.In the absence of Jane, he always attached himself to Elizabeth, for the pleasure oftalkingofher;andwhenBingleywasgone,Janeconstantlysoughtthesamemeansofrelief.“Hehasmademesohappy,”saidshe,oneevening,“bytellingmethathewasto-

tallyignorantofmybeingintownlastspring!Ihadnotbelieveditpossible.”“Isuspectedasmuch,”repliedElizabeth.“Buthowdidheaccountforit?”“Itmusthavebeenhissister’sdoing.Theywerecertainlynofriendstohisacquain-

tancewithme,whichIcannotwonderat,sincehemighthavechosensomuchmoreadvantageously inmany respects. Butwhen they see, as I trust theywill, that theirbrother is happywithme, theywill learn to be contented, andwe shall be on goodtermsagain;thoughwecanneverbewhatweonceweretoeachother.”“Thatisthemostunforgivingspeech,”saidElizabeth,“thatIeverheardyouutter.

Goodgirl!Itwouldvexme,indeed,toseeyouagainthedupeofMissBingley’spre-tendedregard.”“Wouldyoubelieveit,Lizzy,thatwhenhewenttotownlastNovember,hereally

lovedme,andnothingbutapersuasionofmybeingindifferentwouldhavepreventedhiscomingdownagain!”“Hemadealittlemistaketobesure;butitistothecreditofhismodesty.”This naturally introduced a panegyric from Jane on his diffidence, and the little

valueheputonhisowngoodqualities.Elizabethwaspleasedtofindthathehadnotbetrayedtheinterferenceofhisfriend;for,thoughJanehadthemostgenerousandfor-givingheart in theworld, sheknew itwas a circumstancewhichmustprejudiceheragainsthim.“I am certainly the most fortunate creature that ever existed!” cried Jane. “Oh!

Lizzy,whyamIthussingledfrommyfamily,andblessedabovethemall!IfIcouldbutseeyouashappy!Iftherewerebutsuchanothermanforyou!”“Ifyouwere togiveme forty suchmen, Inevercouldbe sohappyasyou.Till I

haveyourdisposition,yourgoodness,Inevercanhaveyourhappiness.No,no,letmeshiftformyself;and,perhaps,ifIhaveverygoodluck,ImaymeetwithanotherMr.Collinsintime.”The situation of affairs in theLongbourn family could not be long a secret.Mrs.

Bennetwas privileged towhisper it toMrs. Phillips, and she ventured,without anypermission,todothesamebyallherneighboursinMeryton.The Bennets were speedily pronounced to be the luckiest family in the world,

thoughonlyafewweeksbefore,whenLydiahadfirstrunaway,theyhadbeengener-allyprovedtobemarkedoutformisfortune.

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Onemorning,aboutaweekafterBingley’sengagementwithJanehadbeenformed,asheandthefemalesofthefamilyweresittingtogetherinthedining-room,theirat-tentionwassuddenlydrawntothewindow,bythesoundofacarriage;andtheyper-ceivedachaiseandfourdrivingupthelawn.Itwastooearlyinthemorningforvisi-tors,andbesides,theequipagedidnotanswertothatofanyoftheirneighbours.Thehorseswerepost;andneitherthecarriage,northeliveryoftheservantwhoprecededit,werefamiliartothem.Asitwascertain,however,thatsomebodywascoming,Bin-gleyinstantlyprevailedonMissBennettoavoidtheconfinementofsuchanintrusion,andwalkawaywithhimintotheshrubbery.Theybothsetoff,andtheconjecturesoftheremainingthreecontinued,thoughwithlittlesatisfaction,tillthedoorwasthrownopenandtheirvisitorentered.ItwasLadyCatherinedeBourgh.Theywere of course all intending to be surprised; but their astonishmentwas be-

yondtheirexpectation;andonthepartofMrs.BennetandKitty,thoughshewasper-fectlyunknowntothem,eveninferiortowhatElizabethfelt.Sheenteredtheroomwithanairmorethanusuallyungracious,madenootherreply

to Elizabeth’s salutation than a slight inclination of the head, and sat downwithoutsayingaword.Elizabethhadmentionedhernametohermotheronherladyship’sen-trance,thoughnorequestofintroductionhadbeenmade.Mrs.Bennet,allamazement,thoughflatteredbyhavingaguestofsuchhighimpor-

tance, receivedherwith theutmostpoliteness.After sitting foramoment in silence,shesaidverystifflytoElizabeth,“Ihopeyouarewell,MissBennet.Thatlady,Isuppose,isyourmother.”Elizabethrepliedveryconciselythatshewas.“AndthatIsupposeisoneofyoursisters.”“Yes,madam,”saidMrs.Bennet,delightedtospeaktoLadyCatherine.“Sheismy

youngest girl but one.Myyoungest of all is latelymarried, andmy eldest is some-whereaboutthegrounds,walkingwithayoungmanwho,Ibelieve,willsoonbecomeapartofthefamily.”“Youhaveaverysmallparkhere,”returnedLadyCatherineafterashortsilence.

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“ItisnothingincomparisonofRosings,mylady,Idaresay;butIassureyouit ismuchlargerthanSirWilliamLucas’s.”“Thismustbeamostinconvenientsittingroomfortheevening,insummer;thewin-

dowsarefullwest.”Mrs.Bennetassuredherthattheyneversatthereafterdinner,andthenadded:“May I take the liberty of asking your ladyship whether you left Mr. and Mrs.

Collinswell.”“Yes,verywell.Isawthemthenightbeforelast.”ElizabethnowexpectedthatshewouldproducealetterforherfromCharlotte,asit

seemedtheonlyprobablemotiveforhercalling.Butnoletterappeared,andshewascompletelypuzzled.Mrs.Bennet,withgreatcivility,beggedherladyshiptotakesomerefreshment;but

LadyCatherine very resolutely, and not very politely, declined eating anything; andthen,risingup,saidtoElizabeth,“MissBennet,thereseemedtobeaprettyishkindofalittlewildernessononeside

ofyourlawn.Ishouldbegladtotakeaturninit,ifyouwillfavourmewithyourcom-pany.”“Go,mydear,”criedhermother,“andshowherladyshipaboutthedifferentwalks.I

thinkshewillbepleasedwiththehermitage.”Elizabethobeyed,andrunningintoherownroomforherparasol,attendedhernoble

guest downstairs.As theypassed through thehall,LadyCatherineopened thedoorsintothedining-parlouranddrawing-room,andpronouncingthem,afterashortsurvey,tobedecentlookingrooms,walkedon.Hercarriageremainedatthedoor,andElizabethsawthatherwaiting-womanwasin

it.Theyproceededinsilencealongthegravelwalkthatledtothecopse;Elizabethwasdeterminedtomakenoeffortforconversationwithawomanwhowasnowmorethanusuallyinsolentanddisagreeable.“HowcouldIeverthinkherlikehernephew?”saidshe,asshelookedinherface.Assoonastheyenteredthecopse,LadyCatherinebeganinthefollowingmanner:—“Youcanbeatnoloss,MissBennet,tounderstandthereasonofmyjourneyhither.

Yourownheart,yourownconscience,musttellyouwhyIcome.”Elizabethlookedwithunaffectedastonishment.“Indeed,youaremistaken,Madam.Ihavenotbeenatallabletoaccountfortheho-

nourofseeingyouhere.”“MissBennet,”repliedherladyship,inanangrytone,“yououghttoknow,thatIam

nottobetrifledwith.Buthoweverinsincereyoumaychoosetobe,youshallnotfind

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meso.Mycharacterhaseverbeencelebratedforitssincerityandfrankness,andinacauseofsuchmomentasthis,Ishallcertainlynotdepartfromit.Areportofamostalarmingnaturereachedmetwodaysago.Iwastoldthatnotonlyyoursisterwasonthepointofbeingmostadvantageouslymarried,butthatyou,thatMissElizabethBen-net, would, in all likelihood, be soon afterwards united to my nephew, my ownnephew,Mr.Darcy.ThoughIknowitmustbeascandalousfalsehood,thoughIwouldnotinjurehimsomuchastosupposethetruthofitpossible,Iinstantlyresolvedonset-tingoffforthisplace,thatImightmakemysentimentsknowntoyou.”“Ifyoubelieved it impossible tobe true,”saidElizabeth,colouringwithastonish-

mentanddisdain,“Iwonderyoutookthetroubleofcomingsofar.Whatcouldyourladyshipproposebyit?”“Atoncetoinsistuponhavingsuchareportuniversallycontradicted.”“YourcomingtoLongbourn,toseemeandmyfamily,”saidElizabethcoolly,“will

beratheraconfirmationofit;if,indeed,suchareportisinexistence.”“If!Doyouthenpretendtobeignorantofit?Hasitnotbeenindustriouslycirculated

byyourselves?Doyounotknowthatsuchareportisspreadabroad?”“Ineverheardthatitwas.”“Andcanyoulikewisedeclare,thatthereisnofoundationforit?”“Idonotpretendtopossessequalfranknesswithyourladyship.Youmayaskques-

tionswhichIshallnotchoosetoanswer.”“This is not tobeborne.MissBennet, I insist onbeing satisfied.Hashe, hasmy

nephew,madeyouanofferofmarriage?”“Yourladyshiphasdeclaredittobeimpossible.”“Itoughttobeso;itmustbeso,whileheretainstheuseofhisreason.Butyourarts

andallurementsmay,inamomentofinfatuation,havemadehimforgetwhatheowestohimselfandtoallhisfamily.Youmayhavedrawnhimin.”“IfIhave,Ishallbethelastpersontoconfessit.”“MissBennet,doyouknowwhoIam?Ihavenotbeenaccustomedtosuchlanguage

asthis.Iamalmostthenearestrelationhehasintheworld,andamentitledtoknowallhisdearestconcerns.”“Butyouarenotentitledtoknowmine;norwillsuchbehaviourasthis,everinduce

metobeexplicit.”“Letmebe rightlyunderstood.Thismatch, towhichyouhave thepresumption to

aspire, cannever takeplace.No,never.Mr.Darcy is engaged tomydaughter. Nowwhathaveyoutosay?”“Onlythis;thatifheisso,youcanhavenoreasontosupposehewillmakeanoffer

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tome.”LadyCatherinehesitatedforamoment,andthenreplied:“Theengagementbetweenthemisofapeculiarkind.Fromtheirinfancy,theyhave

beenintendedforeachother.Itwasthefavouritewishofhismother,aswellasofhers.Whileintheircradles,weplannedtheunion:andnow,atthemomentwhenthewishesofbothsisterswouldbeaccomplished in theirmarriage, tobepreventedbyayoungwomanofinferiorbirth,ofnoimportanceintheworld,andwhollyunalliedtothefam-ily!Doyoupaynoregardtothewishesofhisfriends?TohistacitengagementwithMissdeBourgh?Areyoulosttoeveryfeelingofproprietyanddelicacy?Haveyounotheardmesaythatfromhisearliesthourshewasdestinedforhiscousin?”“Yes,andIhadhearditbefore.Butwhatisthattome?Ifthereisnootherobjection

tomymarryingyournephew,IshallcertainlynotbekeptfromitbyknowingthathismotherandauntwishedhimtomarryMissdeBourgh.Youbothdidasmuchasyoucouldinplanningthemarriage.Itscompletiondependedonothers.IfMr.Darcyisnei-therbyhonournor inclinationconfinedtohiscousin,whyisnothe tomakeanotherchoice?AndifIamthatchoice,whymaynotIaccepthim?”“Becausehonour,decorum,prudence,nay,interest,forbidit.Yes,MissBennet,in-

terest; for do not expect to be noticed by his family or friends, if you wilfully actagainsttheinclinationsofall.Youwillbecensured,slighted,anddespised,byevery-oneconnectedwithhim.Youralliancewillbeadisgrace;yournamewillneverevenbementionedbyanyofus.”“Theseareheavymisfortunes,”repliedElizabeth.“ButthewifeofMr.Darcymust

havesuchextraordinarysourcesofhappinessnecessarilyattachedtohersituation,thatshecould,uponthewhole,havenocausetorepine.”“Obstinate,headstronggirl!Iamashamedofyou!Isthisyourgratitudeformyat-

tentionstoyoulastspring?Isnothingduetomeonthatscore?Letussitdown.Youaretounderstand,MissBennet,thatIcameherewiththedeterminedresolutionofcar-ryingmypurpose;norwillIbedissuadedfromit. Ihavenotbeenusedtosubmit toanyperson’swhims.Ihavenotbeeninthehabitofbrookingdisappointment.”“Thatwillmakeyourladyship’ssituationatpresentmorepitiable;but itwillhave

noeffectonme.”“I will not be interrupted. Hear me in silence.My daughter and my nephew are

formedforeachother.Theyaredescended,onthematernalside,fromthesamenobleline;and,onthefather’s,fromrespectable,honourable,andancient—thoughuntitled—families.Theirfortuneonbothsidesissplendid.Theyaredestinedforeachotherbythevoiceofeverymemberoftheirrespectivehouses;andwhatistodividethem?Theupstartpretensionsofayoungwomanwithoutfamily,connections,orfortune.Isthistobeendured!But itmustnot,shallnotbe. Ifyouweresensibleofyourowngood,

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youwouldnotwishtoquitthesphereinwhichyouhavebeenbroughtup.”“Inmarryingyournephew,Ishouldnotconsidermyselfasquittingthatsphere.He

isagentleman;Iamagentleman’sdaughter;sofarweareequal.”“True.Youareagentleman’sdaughter.Butwhowasyourmother?Whoareyour

unclesandaunts?Donotimaginemeignorantoftheircondition.”“Whatevermyconnectionsmaybe,”saidElizabeth,“ifyournephewdoesnotobject

tothem,theycanbenothingtoyou.”“Tellmeonceforall,areyouengagedtohim?”ThoughElizabethwouldnot,forthemerepurposeofobligingLadyCatherine,have

answeredthisquestion,shecouldnotbutsay,afteramoment’sdeliberation:“Iamnot.”LadyCatherineseemedpleased.“Andwillyoupromiseme,nevertoenterintosuchanengagement?”“Iwillmakenopromiseofthekind.”“MissBennet I am shocked and astonished. I expected to find amore reasonable

youngwoman.ButdonotdeceiveyourselfintoabeliefthatIwilleverrecede.IshallnotgoawaytillyouhavegivenmetheassuranceIrequire.”“And I certainly never shall give it. I am not to be intimidated into anything so

wholly unreasonable. Your ladyship wants Mr. Darcy to marry your daughter; butwouldmygivingyouthewished-forpromisemake theirmarriageatallmoreproba-ble?Supposinghimtobeattachedtome,wouldmyrefusingtoaccepthishandmakehimwishtobestowitonhiscousin?Allowmetosay,LadyCatherine,thattheargu-mentswithwhichyouhavesupportedthisextraordinaryapplicationhavebeenasfriv-olousastheapplicationwasill-judged.Youhavewidelymistakenmycharacter,ifyouthinkIcanbeworkedonbysuchpersuasionsasthese.Howfaryournephewmightap-proveofyourinterferenceinhisaffairs,Icannottell;butyouhavecertainlynorighttoconcernyourselfinmine.Imustbeg,therefore,tobeimportunednofartheronthesub-ject.”“Notsohasty,ifyouplease.Ihavebynomeansdone.ToalltheobjectionsIhave

alreadyurged, Ihavestillanother toadd. Iamnostranger to theparticularsofyouryoungestsister’sinfamouselopement.Iknowitall;thattheyoungman’smarryingherwasapatched-upbusiness,attheexpenceofyourfatheranduncles.Andissuchagirltobemynephew’ssister?Isherhusband,whoisthesonofhislatefather’ssteward,tobehisbrother?Heavenandearth!—ofwhatareyouthinking?AretheshadesofPem-berleytobethuspolluted?”“Youcannowhavenothingfurthertosay,”sheresentfullyanswered.“Youhavein-

sultedmeineverypossiblemethod.Imustbegtoreturntothehouse.”

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Andsheroseasshespoke.LadyCatherinerosealso,andtheyturnedback.Herla-dyshipwashighlyincensed.“Youhavenoregard,then,forthehonourandcreditofmynephew!Unfeeling,self-

ishgirl!Doyounotconsiderthataconnectionwithyoumustdisgracehimintheeyesofeverybody?”“LadyCatherine,Ihavenothingfurthertosay.Youknowmysentiments.”“Youarethenresolvedtohavehim?”“Ihavesaidnosuchthing.Iamonlyresolvedtoactinthatmanner,whichwill,in

myownopinion,constitutemyhappiness,withoutreferencetoyou,or toanypersonsowhollyunconnectedwithme.”“Itiswell.Yourefuse,then,toobligeme.Yourefusetoobeytheclaimsofduty,ho-

nour,andgratitude.Youaredetermined toruinhimin theopinionofallhis friends,andmakehimthecontemptoftheworld.”“Neither duty, nor honour, nor gratitude,” replied Elizabeth, “have any possible

claimonme,inthepresentinstance.NoprincipleofeitherwouldbeviolatedbymymarriagewithMr.Darcy.Andwithregardtotheresentmentofhisfamily,ortheindig-nationoftheworld,iftheformerwereexcitedbyhismarryingme,itwouldnotgivemeonemoment’sconcern—and theworld ingeneralwouldhave toomuchsense tojoininthescorn.”“And this is your real opinion!This is your final resolve!Verywell. I shall now

knowhowtoact.Donotimagine,MissBennet,thatyourambitionwilleverbegrati-fied.Icametotryyou.Ihopedtofindyoureasonable;but,dependuponit,Iwillcarrymypoint.”InthismannerLadyCatherinetalkedon,till theywereatthedoorofthecarriage,

when,turninghastilyround,sheadded,“Itakenoleaveofyou,MissBennet.Isendnocomplimentstoyourmother.Youdeservenosuchattention.Iammostseriouslydis-pleased.”Elizabethmadenoanswer;andwithoutattemptingtopersuadeherladyshiptoreturn

intothehouse,walkedquietlyintoitherself.Sheheardthecarriagedriveawayassheproceededupstairs.Hermotherimpatientlymetheratthedoorofthedressing-room,toaskwhyLadyCatherinewouldnotcomeinagainandrestherself.“Shedidnotchooseit,”saidherdaughter,“shewouldgo.”“Sheisaveryfine-lookingwoman!andhercallingherewasprodigiouslycivil!for

sheonlycame,Isuppose,totellustheCollinseswerewell.Sheisonherroadsome-where,Idaresay,andso,passingthroughMeryton,thoughtshemightaswellcallonyou.Isupposeshehadnothingparticulartosaytoyou,Lizzy?”Elizabethwasforcedtogiveintoalittlefalsehoodhere;fortoacknowledgethesub-

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stanceoftheirconversationwasimpossible.

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Chapter57

The discomposure of spirits which this extraordinary visit threw Elizabeth into,couldnotbeeasilyovercome;norcouldshe,formanyhours,learntothinkofitlessthan incessantly. LadyCatherine, it appeared, had actually taken the trouble of thisjourneyfromRosings,forthesolepurposeofbreakingoffhersupposedengagementwithMr.Darcy.Itwasarationalscheme,tobesure!butfromwhatthereportoftheirengagementcouldoriginate,Elizabethwasatalosstoimagine;tillsherecollectedthathisbeingtheintimatefriendofBingley,andherbeingthesisterofJane,wasenough,atatimewhentheexpectationofoneweddingmadeeverybodyeagerforanother,tosupply the idea. She had not herself forgotten to feel that themarriage of her sistermustbringthemmorefrequentlytogether.AndherneighboursatLucasLodge,there-fore (for through their communicationwith theCollinses, the report, she concluded,hadreachedLadyCatherine),hadonlysetthatdownasalmostcertainandimmediate,whichshehadlookedforwardtoaspossibleatsomefuturetime.In revolving Lady Catherine’s expressions, however, she could not help feeling

someuneasinessas to thepossibleconsequenceofherpersisting in this interference.Fromwhatshehadsaidofherresolutiontopreventtheirmarriage,itoccurredtoEliza-beth that shemustmeditate an application to her nephew; andhowhemight take asimilarrepresentationoftheevilsattachedtoaconnectionwithher,shedarednotpro-nounce.Sheknewnottheexactdegreeofhisaffectionforhisaunt,orhisdependenceonherjudgment,butitwasnaturaltosupposethathethoughtmuchhigherofherlady-shipthanshecoulddo;anditwascertainthat,inenumeratingthemiseriesofamar-riagewithone, whose immediate connectionswere so unequal to his own, his auntwouldaddresshimonhisweakestside.Withhisnotionsofdignity,hewouldprobablyfeel that the arguments,which to Elizabeth had appearedweak and ridiculous, con-tainedmuchgoodsenseandsolidreasoning.Ifhehadbeenwaveringbeforeas towhathe shoulddo,whichhadoftenseemed

likely,theadviceandentreatyofsoneararelationmightsettleeverydoubt,anddeter-minehimatoncetobeashappyasdignityunblemishedcouldmakehim.Inthatcasehewouldreturnnomore.LadyCatherinemightseehiminherwaythroughtown;andhisengagementtoBingleyofcomingagaintoNetherfieldmustgiveway.“If, therefore, an excuse for not keeping his promise should come to his friend

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withina fewdays,” sheadded,“I shallknowhow tounderstand it. I shall thengiveovereveryexpectation,everywishofhisconstancy.Ifheissatisfiedwithonlyregret-tingme,whenhemighthaveobtainedmyaffectionsandhand,Ishallsoonceasetore-grethimatall.”The surpriseof the rest of the family, onhearingwho their visitor hadbeen,was

verygreat;buttheyobliginglysatisfiedit,withthesamekindofsuppositionwhichhadappeasedMrs.Bennet’scuriosity;andElizabethwassparedfrommuchteasingonthesubject.The nextmorning, as shewas going downstairs, shewasmet by her father,who

cameoutofhislibrarywithaletterinhishand.“Lizzy,”saidhe,“Iwasgoingtolookforyou;comeintomyroom.”She followed him thither; and her curiosity to knowwhat he had to tell herwas

heightenedbythesuppositionofitsbeinginsomemannerconnectedwiththeletterheheld.ItsuddenlystruckherthatitmightbefromLadyCatherine;andsheanticipatedwithdismayalltheconsequentexplanations.Shefollowedherfathertothefireplace,andtheybothsatdown.Hethensaid,“Ihavereceivedaletterthismorningthathasastonishedmeexceedingly.Asitprin-

cipallyconcernsyourself,yououghttoknowitscontents.Ididnotknowbefore,thatIhadtwodaughtersonthebrinkofmatrimony.Letmecongratulateyouonaveryim-portantconquest.”ThecolournowrushedintoElizabeth’scheeksintheinstantaneousconvictionofits

beingaletterfromthenephew,insteadoftheaunt;andshewasundeterminedwhethermosttobepleasedthatheexplainedhimselfatall,oroffendedthathisletterwasnotratheraddressedtoherself;whenherfathercontinued:“Youlookconscious.Youngladieshavegreatpenetrationinsuchmattersasthese;

butIthinkImaydefyevenyoursagacity,todiscoverthenameofyouradmirer.ThisletterisfromMr.Collins.”“FromMr.Collins!andwhatcanhehavetosay?”“Somethingverymuchtothepurposeofcourse.Hebeginswithcongratulationson

theapproachingnuptialsofmyeldestdaughter,ofwhich,itseems,hehasbeentoldbysomeof thegood-natured,gossipingLucases. Ishallnotsportwithyour impatience,byreadingwhathesaysonthatpoint.Whatrelatestoyourself,isasfollows:‘HavingthusofferedyouthesincerecongratulationsofMrs.Collinsandmyselfonthishappyevent,letmenowaddashorthintonthesubjectofanother;ofwhichwehavebeenad-vertisedbythesameauthority.YourdaughterElizabeth,itispresumed,willnotlongbearthenameofBennet,afterhereldersisterhasresignedit,andthechosenpartnerofherfatemaybereasonably lookedup toasoneof themost illustriouspersonages inthisland.’

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“Canyou possibly guess,Lizzy,who ismeant by this? ‘This younggentleman isblessed, in a peculiar way, with every thing the heart ofmortal canmost desire,—splendid property, noble kindred, and extensive patronage. Yet in spite of all thesetemptations, letmewarnmy cousinElizabeth, and yourself, ofwhat evils youmayincurbyaprecipitateclosurewith thisgentleman’sproposals,which,ofcourse,youwillbeinclinedtotakeimmediateadvantageof.’“Haveyouanyidea,Lizzy,whothisgentlemanis?Butnowitcomesout:“‘Mymotiveforcautioningyou isasfollows.Wehavereasonto imagine thathis

aunt,LadyCatherinedeBourgh,doesnotlookonthematchwithafriendlyeye.’“Mr.Darcy,yousee, is theman!Now,Lizzy,I thinkIhave surprisedyou.Could

he, or the Lucases, have pitched on anymanwithin the circle of our acquaintance,whose name would have given the lie more effectually to what they related? Mr.Darcy,whoneverlooksatanywomanbuttoseeablemish,andwhoprobablyneverlookedatyouinhislife!Itisadmirable!”Elizabethtriedtojoininherfather’spleasantry,butcouldonlyforceonemostreluc-

tantsmile.Neverhadhiswitbeendirectedinamannersolittleagreeabletoher.“Areyounotdiverted?”“Oh!yes.Prayreadon.”“‘Aftermentioningthelikelihoodofthismarriagetoherladyshiplastnight,sheim-

mediately, with her usual condescension, expressed what she felt on the occasion;whenitbecameapparent,thatonthescoreofsomefamilyobjectionsonthepartofmycousin,shewouldnevergiveherconsenttowhatshetermedsodisgracefulamatch.Ithoughtitmydutytogivethespeediestintelligenceofthistomycousin,thatsheandhernobleadmirermaybeawareofwhattheyareabout,andnotrunhastilyintoamar-riagewhichhasnotbeenproperlysanctioned.’Mr.Collinsmoreoveradds,‘IamtrulyrejoicedthatmycousinLydia’ssadbusinesshasbeensowellhushedup,andamonlyconcernedthattheirlivingtogetherbeforethemarriagetookplaceshouldbesogener-allyknown.Imustnot,however,neglectthedutiesofmystation,orrefrainfromde-claringmyamazementathearingthatyoureceivedtheyoungcoupleintoyourhouseassoonastheyweremarried.Itwasanencouragementofvice;andhadIbeentherec-torofLongbourn, I shouldverystrenuouslyhaveopposed it.Yououghtcertainly toforgive them, as a Christian, but never to admit them in your sight, or allow theirnames tobementioned inyourhearing.’That ishisnotionofChristian forgiveness!TherestofhisletterisonlyabouthisdearCharlotte’ssituation,andhisexpectationofa young olive-branch. But, Lizzy, you look as if you did not enjoy it. You are notgoingtobemissish,Ihope,andpretendtobeaffrontedatanidlereport.Forwhatdowelive,buttomakesportforourneighbours,andlaughattheminourturn?”“Oh!”criedElizabeth,“Iamexcessivelydiverted.Butitissostrange!”

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“Yes—that iswhatmakes it amusing.Had they fixed on any otherman itwouldhavebeennothing;buthisperfectindifference,andyourpointeddislike,makeitsode-lightfullyabsurd!MuchasIabominatewriting,IwouldnotgiveupMr.Collins’scor-respondenceforanyconsideration.Nay,whenIreadaletterofhis,Icannothelpgiv-ing him the preference even over Wickham, much as I value the impudence andhypocrisyofmyson-in-law.Andpray,Lizzy,whatsaidLadyCatherineaboutthisre-port?Didshecalltorefuseherconsent?”To this questionhis daughter repliedonlywith a laugh; and as it hadbeen asked

without the least suspicion, shewasnot distressedbyhis repeating it.Elizabethhadneverbeenmoreatalosstomakeherfeelingsappearwhattheywerenot.Itwasnec-essarytolaugh,whenshewouldratherhavecried.Herfatherhadmostcruellymorti-fiedher,bywhathe saidofMr.Darcy’s indifference, and shecoulddonothingbutwonderatsuchawantofpenetration,orfearthatperhaps,insteadofhisseeingtoolit-tle,shemighthavefanciedtoomuch.

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Chapter58

Insteadofreceivinganysuchletterofexcusefromhisfriend,asElizabethhalfex-pectedMr.Bingleytodo,hewasabletobringDarcywithhimtoLongbournbeforemanydayshadpassedafterLadyCatherine’svisit.Thegentlemenarrivedearly;and,beforeMrs.Bennet had time to tell himof their having seenhis aunt, ofwhichherdaughter sat inmomentary dread, Bingley,whowanted to be alonewith Jane, pro-posedtheirallwalkingout.Itwasagreedto.Mrs.Bennetwasnotinthehabitofwalk-ing;Marycouldneversparetime;buttheremainingfivesetofftogether.BingleyandJane, however, soon allowed the others to outstrip them.They laggedbehind,whileElizabeth,Kitty,andDarcyweretoentertaineachother.Verylittlewassaidbyeither;Kittywastoomuchafraidofhimtotalk;Elizabethwassecretlyformingadesperateresolution;andperhapshemightbedoingthesame.TheywalkedtowardstheLucases,becauseKittywishedtocalluponMaria;andas

Elizabethsawnooccasionformakingitageneralconcern,whenKittyleft themshewentboldlyonwithhimalone.Nowwasthemomentforherresolutiontobeexecuted,and,whilehercouragewashigh,sheimmediatelysaid:“Mr.Darcy,Iamaveryselfishcreature;and,forthesakeofgivingrelieftomyown

feelings,carenothowmuchImaybewoundingyours.Icannolongerhelpthankingyou for your unexampled kindness tomy poor sister. Ever since I have known it, IhavebeenmostanxioustoacknowledgetoyouhowgratefullyIfeelit.Wereitknowntotherestofmyfamily,Ishouldnothavemerelymyowngratitudetoexpress.”“Iamsorry, exceedingly sorry,” repliedDarcy, ina toneof surpriseandemotion,

“thatyouhaveeverbeeninformedofwhatmay, inamistakenlight,havegivenyouuneasiness.IdidnotthinkMrs.Gardinerwassolittletobetrusted.”“Youmustnotblamemyaunt.Lydia’sthoughtlessnessfirstbetrayedtomethatyou

hadbeenconcernedinthematter;and,ofcourse,IcouldnotresttillIknewthepartic-ulars.Letmethankyouagainandagain,inthenameofallmyfamily,forthatgener-ouscompassionwhichinducedyoutotakesomuchtrouble,andbearsomanymortifi-cations,forthesakeofdiscoveringthem.”“Ifyouwillthankme,”hereplied,“letitbeforyourselfalone.Thatthewishofgiv-

inghappinesstoyoumightaddforcetotheotherinducementswhichledmeon,Ishall

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notattempt todeny.Butyour familyowemenothing.Muchas I respect them,Ibe-lieveIthoughtonlyofyou.”Elizabethwas toomuchembarrassed tosayaword.Afterashortpause,hercom-

panionadded,“Youaretoogeneroustotriflewithme.IfyourfeelingsarestillwhattheywerelastApril,tellmesoatonce.Myaffectionsandwishesareunchanged,butonewordfromyouwillsilencemeonthissubjectforever.”Elizabeth,feelingallthemorethancommonawkwardnessandanxietyofhissitua-

tion,nowforcedherselftospeak;andimmediately,thoughnotveryfluently,gavehimtounderstandthathersentimentshadundergonesomaterialachange,sincetheperiodtowhichhealluded,astomakeherreceivewithgratitudeandpleasurehispresentas-surances.Thehappinesswhichthisreplyproduced,wassuchashehadprobablyneverfeltbefore;andheexpressedhimselfontheoccasionassensiblyandaswarmlyasamanviolentlyinlovecanbesupposedtodo.HadElizabethbeenabletoencounterhiseye,shemighthaveseenhowwelltheexpressionofheartfeltdelight,diffusedoverhisface,becamehim;but,thoughshecouldnotlook,shecouldlisten,andhetoldheroffeelings, which, in proving of what importance she was to him,made his affectioneverymomentmorevaluable.They walked on, without knowing in what direction. There was too much to be

thought,andfelt,andsaid,forattentiontoanyotherobjects.Shesoonlearntthattheywereindebtedfortheirpresentgoodunderstandingtotheeffortsofhisaunt,whodidcallonhiminherreturnthroughLondon,andthererelateherjourneytoLongbourn,itsmotive,andthesubstanceofherconversationwithElizabeth;dwellingemphaticallyoneveryexpressionofthelatterwhich,inherladyship’sapprehension,peculiarlyde-notedherperversenessandassurance;inthebeliefthatsucharelationmustassistherendeavourstoobtainthatpromisefromhernephewwhichshehadrefusedtogive.But,unluckilyforherladyship,itseffecthadbeenexactlycontrariwise.“Ittaughtmetohope,”saidhe,“asIhadscarcelyeverallowedmyselftohopebe-

fore.Iknewenoughofyourdispositiontobecertainthat,hadyoubeenabsolutely,ir-revocably decided againstme, youwould have acknowledged it to LadyCatherine,franklyandopenly.”Elizabethcolouredandlaughedasshereplied,“Yes,youknowenoughofmyfrank-

ness tobelievemecapableof that.After abusingyou soabominably toyour face, Icouldhavenoscrupleinabusingyoutoallyourrelations.”“Whatdidyousayofme,thatIdidnotdeserve?For,thoughyouraccusationswere

ill-founded,formedonmistakenpremises,mybehaviourtoyouat thetimehadmer-itedtheseverestreproof.Itwasunpardonable.Icannotthinkofitwithoutabhorrence.”“Wewillnotquarrel for thegreatershareofblameannexedto thatevening,”said

Elizabeth. “The conduct of neither, if strictly examined, will be irreproachable; but

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sincethen,wehaveboth,Ihope,improvedincivility.”“Icannotbesoeasilyreconciledtomyself.TherecollectionofwhatIthensaid,of

myconduct,mymanners,myexpressionsduringthewholeofit,isnow,andhasbeenmanymonths,inexpressiblypainfultome.Yourreproof,sowellapplied,Ishallneverforget: ‘hadyoubehaved inamoregentlemanlikemanner.’Thosewereyourwords.Youknownot,youcanscarcelyconceive,howtheyhavetorturedme;—thoughitwassometime,Iconfess,beforeIwasreasonableenoughtoallowtheirjustice.”“Iwascertainlyveryfarfromexpectingthemtomakesostronganimpression.Ihad

notthesmallestideaoftheirbeingeverfeltinsuchaway.”“Icaneasilybelieveit.Youthoughtmethendevoidofeveryproperfeeling,Iam

sureyoudid.TheturnofyourcountenanceIshallneverforget,asyousaidthatIcouldnothaveaddressedyouinanypossiblewaythatwouldinduceyoutoacceptme.”“Oh!donotrepeatwhatIthensaid.Theserecollectionswillnotdoatall.Iassure

youthatIhavelongbeenmostheartilyashamedofit.”Darcymentionedhisletter.“Didit,”saidhe,“diditsoonmakeyouthinkbetterof

me?Didyou,onreadingit,giveanycredittoitscontents?”Sheexplainedwhatitseffectonherhadbeen,andhowgraduallyallherformerprej-

udiceshadbeenremoved.“I knew,” said he, “thatwhat Iwrotemust give youpain, but itwas necessary. I

hopeyouhavedestroyed the letter.Therewasonepart especially, theopeningof it,whichIshoulddreadyourhaving thepowerof readingagain. Icanremembersomeexpressionswhichmightjustlymakeyouhateme.”“Thelettershallcertainlybeburnt,ifyoubelieveitessentialtothepreservationof

myregard;but,thoughwehavebothreasontothinkmyopinionsnotentirelyunalter-able,theyarenot,Ihope,quitesoeasilychangedasthatimplies.”“When I wrote that letter,” replied Darcy, “I believedmyself perfectly calm and

cool,butIamsinceconvincedthatitwaswritteninadreadfulbitternessofspirit.”“Theletter,perhaps,beganinbitterness,butitdidnotendso.Theadieuischarityit-

self.Butthinknomoreoftheletter.Thefeelingsofthepersonwhowrote,andtheper-sonwhoreceivedit,arenowsowidelydifferentfromwhattheywerethen,thateveryunpleasantcircumstanceattendingitoughttobeforgotten.Youmustlearnsomeofmyphilosophy.Thinkonlyofthepastasitsremembrancegivesyoupleasure.”“Icannotgiveyoucreditforanyphilosophyof thekind.Yourretrospectionsmust

besototallyvoidofreproach,thatthecontentmentarisingfromthemisnotofphiloso-phy,but,whatismuchbetter,ofinnocence.Butwithme,itisnotso.Painfulrecollec-tionswillintrudewhichcannot,whichoughtnot,toberepelled.Ihavebeenaselfishbeingallmylife,inpractice,thoughnotinprinciple.AsachildIwastaughtwhatwas

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right,butIwasnottaughttocorrectmytemper.Iwasgivengoodprinciples,butlefttofollowtheminprideandconceit.Unfortunatelyanonlyson(formanyyearsanonlychild),Iwasspoiltbymyparents,who,thoughgoodthemselves(myfather,particu-larly,allthatwasbenevolentandamiable),allowed,encouraged,almosttaughtmetobe selfish and overbearing; to care for none beyondmy own family circle; to thinkmeanlyofalltherestoftheworld;towishatleasttothinkmeanlyoftheirsenseandworthcomparedwithmyown.SuchIwas,fromeighttoeightandtwenty;andsuchImightstillhavebeenbutforyou,dearest,loveliestElizabeth!WhatdoInotoweyou!You taughtme a lesson, hard indeed at first, butmost advantageous.Byyou, Iwasproperlyhumbled. I came to youwithout a doubt ofmy reception.You showedmehowinsufficientwereallmypretensionstopleaseawomanworthyofbeingpleased.”“HadyouthenpersuadedyourselfthatIshould?”“IndeedIhad.Whatwillyouthinkofmyvanity?Ibelievedyoutobewishing,ex-

pectingmyaddresses.”“Mymannersmust havebeen in fault, but not intentionally, I assureyou. I never

meanttodeceiveyou,butmyspiritsmightoftenleadmewrong.Howyoumusthavehatedmeafterthatevening?”“Hateyou!Iwasangryperhapsatfirst,butmyangersoonbegantotakeaproperdi-

rection.”“Iamalmostafraidofaskingwhatyouthoughtofme,whenwemetatPemberley.

Youblamedmeforcoming?”“Noindeed;Ifeltnothingbutsurprise.”“Your surprise could not be greater thanmine in being noticed by you.My con-

sciencetoldmethatIdeservednoextraordinarypoliteness,andIconfessthatIdidnotexpecttoreceivemorethanmydue.”“Myobjectthen,”repliedDarcy,“wastoshowyou,byeverycivilityinmypower,

thatIwasnotsomeanastoresentthepast;andIhopedtoobtainyourforgiveness,tolessenyourillopinion,bylettingyouseethatyourreproofshadbeenattendedto.Howsoonanyotherwishes introduced themselvesIcanhardly tell,but Ibelieve inabouthalfanhourafterIhadseenyou.”HethentoldherofGeorgiana’sdelightinheracquaintance,andofherdisappoint-

mentat itssuddeninterruption;whichnaturally leading to thecauseof that interrup-tion,shesoon learnt thathis resolutionof followingher fromDerbyshire inquestofhersisterhadbeenformedbeforehequittedtheinn,andthathisgravityandthought-fulnesstherehadarisenfromnootherstrugglesthanwhatsuchapurposemustcom-prehend.She expressed her gratitude again, but itwas too painful a subject to each, to be

dweltonfarther.

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Afterwalkingseveralmiles ina leisurelymanner,and toobusy toknowanythingaboutit,theyfoundatlast,onexaminingtheirwatches,thatitwastimetobeathome.“WhatcouldbecomeofMr.BingleyandJane!”wasawonderwhichintroducedthe

discussionoftheiraffairs.Darcywasdelightedwiththeirengagement;hisfriendhadgivenhimtheearliestinformationofit.“Imustaskwhetheryouweresurprised?”saidElizabeth.“Notatall.WhenIwentaway,Ifeltthatitwouldsoonhappen.”“Thatistosay,youhadgivenyourpermission.Iguessedasmuch.”Andthoughhe

exclaimedattheterm,shefoundthatithadbeenprettymuchthecase.“OntheeveningbeforemygoingtoLondon,”saidhe,“Imadeaconfessiontohim,

whichIbelieveIoughttohavemadelongago.Itoldhimofallthathadoccurredtomakemy former interference inhis affairs absurd and impertinent.His surprisewasgreat.Hehadneverhad theslightestsuspicion. I toldhim,moreover, that Ibelievedmyselfmistaken insupposing,as Ihaddone, thatyoursisterwas indifferent tohim;andasIcouldeasilyperceivethathisattachmenttoherwasunabated,Ifeltnodoubtoftheirhappinesstogether.”Elizabethcouldnothelpsmilingathiseasymannerofdirectinghisfriend.“Didyouspeakfromyourownobservation,”saidshe,“whenyoutoldhimthatmy

sisterlovedhim,ormerelyfrommyinformationlastspring?”“From the former. I hadnarrowlyobservedher during the twovisitswhich I had

latelymadehere;andIwasconvincedofheraffection.”“Andyourassuranceofit,Isuppose,carriedimmediateconvictiontohim.”“Itdid.Bingley ismostunaffectedlymodest.Hisdiffidencehadpreventedhisde-

pending on his own judgment in so anxious a case, but his reliance onminemadeeverythingeasy.Iwasobligedtoconfessonething,whichforatime,andnotunjustly,offendedhim. I couldnot allowmyself toconceal thatyour sisterhadbeen in townthreemonthslastwinter,thatIhadknownit,andpurposelykeptitfromhim.Hewasangry.Buthisanger,Iampersuaded,lastednolongerthanheremainedinanydoubtofyoursister’ssentiments.Hehasheartilyforgivenmenow.”ElizabethlongedtoobservethatMr.Bingleyhadbeenamostdelightfulfriend;so

easilyguidedthathisworthwasinvaluable;butshecheckedherself.Sherememberedthathehadyettolearntobelaughedat,anditwasrathertooearlytobegin.Inantici-patingthehappinessofBingley,whichofcoursewastobeinferioronlytohisown,hecontinuedtheconversationtilltheyreachedthehouse.Inthehalltheyparted.

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“MydearLizzy,wherecanyouhavebeenwalkingto?”wasaquestionwhichEliza-beth received from Jane as soon as she entered their room, and from all the otherswhen they sat down to table. She had only to say in reply, that they hadwanderedabout,tillshewasbeyondherownknowledge.Shecolouredasshespoke;butneitherthat,noranythingelse,awakenedasuspicionofthetruth.The evening passed quietly, unmarked by anything extraordinary. The acknowl-

edgedloverstalkedandlaughed,theunacknowledgedweresilent.Darcywasnotofadisposition inwhich happiness overflows inmirth; andElizabeth, agitated and con-fused,ratherknewthatshewashappythanfeltherselftobeso;for,besidestheimme-diateembarrassment,therewereotherevilsbeforeher.Sheanticipatedwhatwouldbefeltinthefamilywhenhersituationbecameknown;shewasawarethatnoonelikedhimbutJane;andevenfearedthatwiththeothersitwasadislikewhichnotallhisfor-tuneandconsequencemightdoaway.At night she opened her heart to Jane.Though suspicionwas very far fromMiss

Bennet’sgeneralhabits,shewasabsolutelyincreduloushere.“Youarejoking,Lizzy.Thiscannotbe!—engagedtoMr.Darcy!No,no,youshall

notdeceiveme.Iknowittobeimpossible.”“This isawretchedbeginning indeed!Mysoledependencewasonyou;andIam

surenobodyelsewillbelieveme,ifyoudonot.Yet,indeed,Iaminearnest.Ispeaknothingbutthetruth.Hestilllovesme,andweareengaged.”Janelookedatherdoubtingly.“Oh,Lizzy!itcannotbe.Iknowhowmuchyoudis-

likehim.”“Youknownothingofthematter.Thatisalltobeforgot.PerhapsIdidnotalways

lovehimsowellasIdonow.Butinsuchcasesasthese,agoodmemoryisunpardon-able.ThisisthelasttimeIshalleverrememberitmyself.”MissBennetstilllookedallamazement.Elizabethagain,andmoreseriouslyassured

herofitstruth.“GoodHeaven!canitbereallyso!YetnowImustbelieveyou,”criedJane.“My

dear, dear Lizzy, I would—I do congratulate you—but are you certain? forgive the

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question—areyouquitecertainthatyoucanbehappywithhim?”“Therecanbenodoubtofthat.Itissettledbetweenusalready,thatwearetobethe

happiestcoupleintheworld.Butareyoupleased,Jane?Shallyouliketohavesuchabrother?”“Very,verymuch.NothingcouldgiveeitherBingleyormyselfmoredelight.But

weconsideredit,wetalkedofitasimpossible.Anddoyoureallylovehimquitewellenough?Oh, Lizzy! do anything rather thanmarrywithout affection.Are you quitesurethatyoufeelwhatyououghttodo?”“Oh,yes!YouwillonlythinkIfeelmorethanIoughttodo,whenItellyouall.”“Whatdoyoumean?”“Why,ImustconfessthatIlovehimbetterthanIdoBingley.Iamafraidyouwill

beangry.”“Mydearestsister,nowbeserious.Iwanttotalkveryseriously.Letmeknowevery

thing that I am to know,without delay.Will you tellme how long you have lovedhim?”“Ithasbeencomingonsogradually,thatIhardlyknowwhenitbegan.ButIbelieve

ImustdateitfrommyfirstseeinghisbeautifulgroundsatPemberley.”Another entreaty that shewouldbe serious,however, produced thedesiredeffect;

andshesoonsatisfiedJanebyhersolemnassurancesofattachment.Whenconvincedonthatarticle,MissBennethadnothingfurthertowish.“NowIamquitehappy,”saidshe,“foryouwillbeashappyasmyself.Ialwayshad

avalueforhim.Wereitfornothingbuthisloveofyou,Imustalwayshaveesteemedhim;butnow, asBingley’s friend andyourhusband, there canbeonlyBingley andyourselfmoredeartome.ButLizzy,youhavebeenverysly,veryreservedwithme.HowlittledidyoutellmeofwhatpassedatPemberleyandLambton!IoweallthatIknowofittoanother,nottoyou.”Elizabeth told her themotives of her secrecy.Shehadbeenunwilling tomention

Bingley; and theunsettled stateofherown feelingshadmadeher equally avoid thenameofhisfriend.ButnowshewouldnolongerconcealfromherhisshareinLydia’smarriage.Allwasacknowledged,andhalfthenightspentinconversation.“Goodgracious!”criedMrs.Bennet,asshestoodatawindowthenextmorning,“if

thatdisagreeableMr.DarcyisnotcominghereagainwithourdearBingley!Whatcanhemeanbybeing so tiresomeas tobe alwayscominghere? Ihadnonotionbuthewould go a-shooting, or something or other, and not disturb us with his company.Whatshallwedowithhim?Lizzy,youmustwalkoutwithhimagain,thathemaynotbeinBingley’sway.”Elizabeth could hardly help laughing at so convenient a proposal; yet was really

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vexedthathermothershouldbealwaysgivinghimsuchanepithet.As soon as they entered,Bingley looked at her so expressively, and shook hands

with suchwarmth, as left nodoubtofhisgood information; andhe soonafterwardssaidaloud,“Mrs.Bennet,haveyounomorelaneshereaboutsinwhichLizzymayloseherwayagainto-day?”“IadviseMr.Darcy,andLizzy,andKitty,”saidMrs.Bennet,“towalktoOakham

Mountthismorning.Itisanicelongwalk,andMr.Darcyhasneverseentheview.”“Itmaydoverywellfortheothers,”repliedMr.Bingley;“butIamsureitwillbe

toomuch forKitty.Won’t it,Kitty?”Kittyowned that shehad rather stay at home.Darcy professed a great curiosity to see the view from the Mount, and Elizabethsilentlyconsented.Asshewentupstairstogetready,Mrs.Bennetfollowedher,say-ing:“Iamquitesorry,Lizzy,thatyoushouldbeforcedtohavethatdisagreeablemanall

toyourself.But Ihopeyouwillnotmind it: it isall for Jane’ssake,youknow;andthereisnooccasionfortalkingtohim,exceptjustnowandthen.So,donotputyour-selftoinconvenience.”Duringtheirwalk,itwasresolvedthatMr.Bennet’sconsentshouldbeaskedinthe

courseof theevening.Elizabeth reserved toherself theapplication forhermother’s.Shecouldnotdeterminehowhermotherwouldtakeit;sometimesdoubtingwhetherallhiswealthandgrandeurwouldbeenoughtoovercomeherabhorrenceoftheman.Butwhethershewereviolentlysetagainstthematch,orviolentlydelightedwithit,itwascertainthathermannerwouldbeequallyilladaptedtodocredittohersense;andshecouldnomorebear thatMr.Darcyshouldhear thefirstrapturesofher joy, thanthefirstvehemenceofherdisapprobation.In theevening, soonafterMr.Bennetwithdrew to the library, shesawMr.Darcy

risealsoandfollowhim,andheragitationonseeingitwasextreme.Shedidnotfearher father’sopposition,buthewasgoing tobemadeunhappy;and that it shouldbethrough her means—that she, his favourite child, should be distressing him by herchoice, should be filling him with fears and regrets in disposing of her—was awretchedreflection,andshesatinmiserytillMr.Darcyappearedagain,when,lookingathim,shewasalittlerelievedbyhissmile.InafewminutesheapproachedthetablewhereshewassittingwithKitty;and,whilepretendingtoadmireherworksaid inawhisper,“Gotoyourfather,hewantsyouinthelibrary.”Shewasgonedirectly.Herfatherwaswalkingabouttheroom,lookinggraveandanxious.“Lizzy,”saidhe,

“whatareyoudoing?Areyououtofyoursenses,tobeacceptingthisman?Havenotyoualwayshatedhim?”Howearnestlydidshethenwishthatherformeropinionshadbeenmorereasonable,

herexpressionsmoremoderate!Itwouldhavesparedherfromexplanationsandpro-

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fessionswhichitwasexceedinglyawkwardtogive;buttheywerenownecessary,andsheassuredhim,withsomeconfusion,ofherattachmenttoMr.Darcy.“Or,inotherwords,youaredeterminedtohavehim.Heisrich,tobesure,andyou

may have more fine clothes and fine carriages than Jane. But will they make youhappy?”“Have you any other objection,” saidElizabeth, “than your belief ofmy indiffer-

ence?”“Noneatall.Weallknowhimtobeaproud,unpleasantsortofman;butthiswould

benothingifyoureallylikedhim.”“Ido,Idolikehim,”shereplied,withtearsinhereyes,“Ilovehim.Indeedhehas

noimproperpride.Heisperfectlyamiable.Youdonotknowwhathereally is; thenpraydonotpainmebyspeakingofhiminsuchterms.”“Lizzy,”saidherfather,“Ihavegivenhimmyconsent.Heisthekindofman,in-

deed, towhomIshouldneverdarerefuseanything,whichhecondescendedtoask.Inowgiveittoyou,ifyouareresolvedonhavinghim.Butletmeadviseyoutothinkbetterofit.Iknowyourdisposition,Lizzy.Iknowthatyoucouldbeneitherhappynorrespectable,unlessyoutrulyesteemedyourhusband;unlessyoulookeduptohimasasuperior.Yourlivelytalentswouldplaceyouinthegreatestdangerinanunequalmar-riage.Youcouldscarcelyescapediscreditandmisery.Mychild, letmenothavethegriefofseeingyouunabletorespectyourpartnerinlife.Youknownotwhatyouareabout.”Elizabeth,stillmoreaffected,wasearnestandsolemninherreply;andatlength,by

repeatedassurancesthatMr.Darcywasreallytheobjectofherchoice,byexplainingthegradualchangewhichherestimationofhimhadundergone,relatingherabsolutecertaintythathisaffectionwasnottheworkofaday,buthadstoodthetestofmanymonths’suspense,andenumeratingwithenergyallhisgoodqualities,shedidconquerherfather’sincredulity,andreconcilehimtothematch.“Well,mydear,”saidhe,whensheceasedspeaking,“Ihavenomoretosay.Ifthis

be thecase,hedeservesyou.Icouldnothavepartedwithyou,myLizzy, toanyonelessworthy.”Tocompletethefavourableimpression,shethentoldhimwhatMr.Darcyhadvol-

untarilydoneforLydia.Heheardherwithastonishment.“Thisisaneveningofwonders,indeed!Andso,Darcydideverything;madeupthe

match,gavethemoney,paidthefellow’sdebts,andgothimhiscommission!Somuchthebetter.Itwillsavemeaworldof troubleandeconomy.Haditbeenyouruncle’sdoing, Imust andwould have paid him; but these violent young lovers carry everythingtheirownway.Ishalloffertopayhimto-morrow;hewillrantandstormabouthisloveforyou,andtherewillbeanendofthematter.”

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He then recollected her embarrassment a few days before, on his reading Mr.Collins’sletter;andafterlaughingathersometime,allowedheratlasttogo—saying,asshequittedtheroom,“IfanyyoungmencomeforMaryorKitty,sendthemin,forIamquiteatleisure.”Elizabeth’smindwas now relieved from a very heavyweight; and, after half an

hour’squietreflectioninherownroom,shewasabletojointheotherswithtolerablecomposure.Every thingwas too recent for gaiety, but the eveningpassed tranquillyaway;therewasnolongeranythingmaterialtobedreaded,andthecomfortofeaseandfamiliaritywouldcomeintime.Whenhermotherwentuptoherdressing-roomatnight,shefollowedher,andmade

theimportantcommunication.Itseffectwasmostextraordinary;foronfirsthearingit,Mrs.Bennetsatquitestill,andunabletoutterasyllable.Norwasitundermany,manyminutesthatshecouldcomprehendwhatsheheard;thoughnotingeneralbackwardtocreditwhatwasfortheadvantageofherfamily,orthatcameintheshapeofalovertoanyof them.Shebeganat length to recover, to fidget about inher chair, getup, sitdownagain,wonder,andblessherself.“Goodgracious!Lordblessme!onlythink!dearme!Mr.Darcy!Whowouldhave

thoughtit!Andisitreallytrue?Oh!mysweetestLizzy!howrichandhowgreatyouwillbe!Whatpin-money,whatjewels,whatcarriagesyouwillhave!Jane’sisnothingto it—nothing at all. I am so pleased—so happy. Such a charmingman!—so hand-some! so tall!—Oh, my dear Lizzy! pray apologise for my having disliked him somuch before. I hope hewill overlook it.Dear, dear Lizzy.A house in town!Everythingthatischarming!Threedaughtersmarried!Tenthousandayear!Oh,Lord!Whatwillbecomeofme.Ishallgodistracted.”Thiswasenoughtoprovethatherapprobationneednotbedoubted:andElizabeth,

rejoicingthatsuchaneffusionwasheardonlybyherself,soonwentaway.Butbeforeshehadbeenthreeminutesinherownroom,hermotherfollowedher.“Mydearestchild,”shecried,“Icanthinkofnothingelse!Tenthousandayear,and

verylikelymore!’TisasgoodasaLord!Andaspeciallicence.Youmustandshallbemarriedbyaspeciallicence.Butmydearestlove,tellmewhatdishMr.Darcyispar-ticularlyfondof,thatImayhaveitto-morrow.”Thiswasasadomenofwhathermother’sbehaviourtothegentlemanhimselfmight

be;andElizabethfoundthat,thoughinthecertainpossessionofhiswarmestaffection,andsecureofherrelations’consent,therewasstillsomethingtobewishedfor.Butthemorrowpassed offmuch better than she expected; forMrs.Bennet luckily stood insuchaweofher intendedson-in-law that sheventurednot to speak tohim,unless itwasinherpowertoofferhimanyattention,ormarkherdeferenceforhisopinion.Elizabethhadthesatisfactionofseeingherfathertakingpainstogetacquaintedwith

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him;andMr.Bennetsoonassuredherthathewasrisingeveryhourinhisesteem.“I admire all my three sons-in-law highly,” said he. “Wickham, perhaps, is my

favourite;butIthinkIshalllikeyourhusbandquiteaswellasJane’s.”

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Elizabeth’sspiritssoonrisingtoplayfulnessagain,shewantedMr.Darcytoaccountforhishavingeverfallen in lovewithher.“Howcouldyoubegin?”saidshe.“Icancomprehend your going on charmingly, when you had oncemade a beginning; butwhatcouldsetyouoffinthefirstplace?”“Icannotfixonthehour,orthespot,orthelook,orthewords,whichlaidthefoun-

dation.Itistoolongago.IwasinthemiddlebeforeIknewthatIhadbegun.”“Mybeautyyouhadearlywithstood,andasformymanners—mybehaviourtoyou

wasatleastalwaysborderingontheuncivil,andIneverspoketoyouwithoutratherwishingtogiveyoupainthannot.Nowbesincere;didyouadmiremeformyimperti-nence?”“Forthelivelinessofyourmind,Idid.”“Youmayaswellcallitimpertinenceatonce.Itwasverylittleless.Thefactis,that

youweresickofcivility,ofdeference,ofofficiousattention.Youweredisgustedwiththewomenwhowerealwaysspeaking,andlooking,andthinkingforyourapprobationalone.Iroused,andinterestedyou,becauseIwassounlikethem.Hadyounotbeenre-allyamiable,youwouldhavehatedmeforit;butinspiteofthepainsyoutooktodis-guiseyourself,yourfeelingswerealwaysnobleandjust;andinyourheart,youthor-oughlydespisedthepersonswhosoassiduouslycourtedyou.There—Ihavesavedyouthetroubleofaccountingforit;andreally,allthingsconsidered,Ibegintothinkitper-fectlyreasonable.Tobesure,youknewnoactualgoodofme—butnobodythinksofthatwhentheyfallinlove.”“Was there no good in your affectionate behaviour to Jane while she was ill at

Netherfield?”“Dearest Jane!who could have done less for her? Butmake a virtue of it by all

means.Mygoodqualitiesareunderyourprotection,andyouaretoexaggeratethemasmuch as possible; and, in return, it belongs tome to find occasions for teasing andquarrellingwithyouasoftenasmaybe;andIshallbegindirectlybyaskingyouwhatmadeyousounwillingtocometothepointatlast.Whatmadeyousoshyofme,whenyoufirstcalled,andafterwardsdinedhere?Why,especially,whenyoucalled,didyoulookasifyoudidnotcareaboutme?”

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“Becauseyouweregraveandsilent,andgavemenoencouragement.”“ButIwasembarrassed.”“AndsowasI.”“Youmighthavetalkedtomemorewhenyoucametodinner.”“Amanwhohadfeltless,might.”“Howunluckythatyoushouldhaveareasonableanswertogive,andthatIshould

besoreasonableastoadmitit!ButIwonderhowlongyouwouldhavegoneon,ifyouhadbeen left toyourself. Iwonderwhenyouwouldhavespoken, if Ihadnotaskedyou!MyresolutionofthankingyouforyourkindnesstoLydiahadcertainlygreatef-fect.Toomuch, I am afraid; forwhat becomes of themoral, if our comfort springsfrom a breach of promise? for I ought not to havementioned the subject. Thiswillneverdo.”“Youneednotdistressyourself.Themoralwillbeperfectlyfair.LadyCatherine’s

unjustifiableendeavours toseparateuswere themeansof removingallmydoubts. Iamnotindebtedformypresenthappinesstoyoureagerdesireofexpressingyourgrati-tude.Iwasnotinahumourtowaitforanyopeningofyours.Myaunt’sintelligencehadgivenmehope,andIwasdeterminedatoncetoknoweverything.”“LadyCatherinehasbeenof infiniteuse,whichought tomakeherhappy, forshe

loves tobeofuse.But tellme,whatdidyoucomedown toNetherfield for?Was itmerelytoridetoLongbournandbeembarrassed?orhadyouintendedanymoreseri-ousconsequence?”“Myrealpurposewastoseeyou,andtojudge,ifIcould,whetherImighteverhope

tomakeyouloveme.Myavowedone,orwhatIavowedtomyself,wastoseewhetheryoursisterwerestillpartialtoBingley,andifshewere,tomaketheconfessiontohimwhichIhavesincemade.”“ShallyoueverhavecouragetoannouncetoLadyCatherinewhatistobefallher?”“I ammore likely towantmore time than courage, Elizabeth. But it ought to be

done,andifyouwillgivemeasheetofpaper,itshallbedonedirectly.”“AndifIhadnotalettertowritemyself,Imightsitbyyouandadmiretheevenness

ofyourwriting,asanotheryoungladyoncedid.ButIhaveanaunt,too,whomustnotbelongerneglected.”FromanunwillingnesstoconfesshowmuchherintimacywithMr.Darcyhadbeen

over-rated, Elizabeth had never yet answeredMrs. Gardiner’s long letter; but now,havingthattocommunicatewhichsheknewwouldbemostwelcome,shewasalmostashamedtofindthatheruncleandaunthadalreadylostthreedaysofhappiness,andimmediatelywroteasfollows:“Iwouldhavethankedyoubefore,mydearaunt,asIoughttohavedone,foryour

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long, kind, satisfactory, detail of particulars; but to say the truth, Iwas too cross towrite. You supposed more than really existed. But now suppose as much as youchoose; give a loose rein to your fancy, indulge your imagination in every possibleflightwhich thesubjectwillafford,andunlessyoubelievemeactuallymarried,youcannotgreatlyerr.Youmustwriteagainverysoon,andpraisehimagreatdealmorethanyoudidinyourlast.Ithankyou,againandagain,fornotgoingtotheLakes.HowcouldIbesosillyastowishit!Yourideaoftheponiesisdelightful.WewillgoroundtheParkeveryday.Iamthehappiestcreatureintheworld.Perhapsotherpeoplehavesaid sobefore, butnotonewith such justice. I amhappier even than Jane; sheonlysmiles,Ilaugh.Mr.Darcysendsyoualltheloveintheworldthathecansparefromme.YouarealltocometoPemberleyatChristmas.Yours,etc.”Mr.Darcy’slettertoLadyCatherinewasinadifferentstyle;andstilldifferentfrom

eitherwaswhatMr.BennetsenttoMr.Collins,inreplytohislast.

“DearSir,“Imusttroubleyouoncemoreforcongratulations.ElizabethwillsoonbethewifeofMr.Darcy.ConsoleLadyCatherineaswellasyoucan.But,ifIwereyou,Iwouldstandbythenephew.Hehasmoretogive.

“Yourssincerely,etc.”

MissBingley’scongratulationstoherbrother,onhisapproachingmarriage,wereallthatwasaffectionateandinsincere.ShewroteeventoJaneontheoccasion,toexpressherdelight,andrepeatallherformerprofessionsofregard.Janewasnotdeceived,butshewasaffected;andthoughfeelingnorelianceonher,couldnothelpwritingheramuchkinderanswerthansheknewwasdeserved.ThejoywhichMissDarcyexpressedonreceivingsimilarinformation,wasassin-

cereasherbrother’sinsendingit.Foursidesofpaperwereinsufficienttocontainallherdelight,andallherearnestdesireofbeinglovedbyhersister.Beforeanyanswercouldarrive fromMr.Collins,oranycongratulations toEliza-

beth fromhiswife, theLongbourn familyheard that theCollinseswerecome them-selves to Lucas Lodge. The reason of this sudden removal was soon evident. LadyCatherinehadbeenrenderedsoexceedinglyangrybythecontentsofhernephew’slet-ter,thatCharlotte,reallyrejoicinginthematch,wasanxioustogetawaytillthestormwasblownover.Atsuchamoment,thearrivalofherfriendwasasincerepleasuretoElizabeth, thoughin thecourseof theirmeetingsshemustsometimesthinktheplea-sure dearly bought,when she sawMr.Darcy exposed to all the parading and obse-quiouscivilityofherhusband.Heboreit,however,withadmirablecalmness.Hecouldeven listen to SirWilliamLucas,when he complimented him on carrying away the

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brightestjewelofthecountry,andexpressedhishopesoftheirallmeetingfrequentlyatSt.James’s,withverydecentcomposure.Ifhedidshrughisshoulders,itwasnottillSirWilliamwasoutofsight.Mrs.Phillips’svulgaritywasanother,andperhapsagreater,taxonhisforbearance;

andthoughMrs.Phillips,aswellashersister,stoodintoomuchaweofhimtospeakwiththefamiliaritywhichBingley’sgoodhumourencouraged,yet,whenevershedidspeak,shemustbevulgar.Norwasherrespectforhim,thoughitmadehermorequiet,atalllikelytomakehermoreelegant.Elizabethdidallshecouldtoshieldhimfromthefrequentnoticeofeither,andwaseveranxioustokeephimtoherself,andtothoseofherfamilywithwhomhemightconversewithoutmortification;andthoughtheun-comfortablefeelingsarisingfromallthistookfromtheseasonofcourtshipmuchofitspleasure,itaddedtothehopeofthefuture;andshelookedforwardwithdelighttothetimewhentheyshouldberemovedfromsocietysolittlepleasingtoeither, toall thecomfortandeleganceoftheirfamilypartyatPemberley.

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Chapter61

HappyforallhermaternalfeelingswasthedayonwhichMrs.Bennetgotridofhertwomostdeservingdaughters.WithwhatdelightedpridesheafterwardsvisitedMrs.Bingley,andtalkedofMrs.Darcy,maybeguessed.IwishIcouldsay,forthesakeofher family, that the accomplishment of her earnest desire in the establishment of somanyofherchildrenproducedsohappyaneffectastomakeherasensible,amiable,well-informedwomanfortherestofherlife;thoughperhapsitwasluckyforherhus-band,whomightnothaverelisheddomesticfelicityinsounusualaform,thatshestillwasoccasionallynervousandinvariablysilly.Mr.Bennetmissedhisseconddaughterexceedingly;hisaffectionforherdrewhim

oftenerfromhomethananythingelsecoulddo.Hedelighted ingoing toPemberley,especiallywhenhewasleastexpected.Mr.BingleyandJaneremainedatNetherfieldonlyatwelvemonth.Sonearavicin-

itytohermotherandMerytonrelationswasnotdesirableeventohiseasytemper,orheraffectionateheart.Thedarlingwishofhissisterswasthengratified;heboughtanestate inaneighbouringcountytoDerbyshire,andJaneandElizabeth, inadditiontoeveryothersourceofhappiness,werewithinthirtymilesofeachother.Kitty,toherverymaterialadvantage,spentthechiefofhertimewithhertwoelder

sisters.Insocietysosuperiortowhatshehadgenerallyknown,herimprovementwasgreat.ShewasnotofsoungovernableatemperasLydia;and,removedfromtheinflu-enceofLydia’sexample,shebecame,byproperattentionandmanagement,lessirrita-ble, less ignorant, and less insipid.From the furtherdisadvantageofLydia’s societyshewasofcoursecarefullykept,andthoughMrs.Wickhamfrequentlyinvitedhertocomeand staywithher,with thepromiseofballs andyoungmen,her fatherwouldneverconsenttohergoing.Marywastheonlydaughterwhoremainedathome;andshewasnecessarilydrawn

fromthepursuitofaccomplishmentsbyMrs.Bennet’sbeingquiteunabletositalone.Marywasobligedtomixmorewiththeworld,butshecouldstillmoralizeovereverymorningvisit;andasshewasnolongermortifiedbycomparisonsbetweenhersisters’beautyandherown, itwas suspectedbyher father that she submitted to thechangewithoutmuchreluctance.

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As forWickhamandLydia, their characters sufferedno revolution from themar-riageofhersisters.Heborewithphilosophy theconviction thatElizabethmustnowbecomeacquaintedwithwhateverofhisingratitudeandfalsehoodhadbeforebeenun-known to her; and in spite of every thing,was notwhollywithout hope thatDarcymightyetbeprevailedontomakehisfortune.ThecongratulatoryletterwhichEliza-bethreceivedfromLydiaonhermarriage,explainedtoherthat,byhiswifeatleast,ifnotbyhimself,suchahopewascherished.Theletterwastothiseffect:

“MydearLizzy,“Iwishyoujoy.IfyouloveMr.DarcyhalfaswellasIdomydearWickham,youmustbeveryhappy.Itisagreatcomforttohaveyousorich,andwhenyouhavenothingelsetodo,Ihopeyouwillthinkofus.IamsureWickhamwouldlikeaplaceatcourtverymuch,andIdonotthinkweshallhavequitemoneyenoughtoliveuponwithoutsomehelp.Anyplacewoulddo,ofaboutthreeorfourhundredayear;buthowever,donotspeaktoMr.Darcyaboutit,ifyouhadrathernot.

“Yours,etc.”

AsithappenedthatElizabethhadmuchrathernot,sheendeavouredinheranswertoput an end to every entreaty andexpectationof thekind.Such relief, however, as itwas inherpower toafford,by thepracticeofwhatmightbecalledeconomy inherownprivateexpences,shefrequentlysentthem.Ithadalwaysbeenevidenttoherthatsuch an income as theirs, under the direction of two persons so extravagant in theirwants,andheedlessofthefuture,mustbeveryinsufficienttotheirsupport;andwhen-evertheychangedtheirquarters,eitherJaneorherselfweresureofbeingappliedtoforsome little assistance towards discharging their bills. Their manner of living, evenwhentherestorationofpeacedismissedthemtoahome,wasunsettledintheextreme.Theywerealwaysmovingfromplacetoplaceinquestofacheapsituation,andalwaysspendingmorethantheyought.Hisaffectionforhersoonsunkintoindifference;herslasted a little longer; and in spiteofheryouth andhermanners, she retainedall theclaimstoreputationwhichhermarriagehadgivenher.ThoughDarcycouldnever receivehim atPemberley,yet, forElizabeth’s sake,he

assistedhimfurtherinhisprofession.Lydiawasoccasionallyavisitorthere,whenherhusbandwasgonetoenjoyhimselfinLondonorBath;andwiththeBingleystheybothofthemfrequentlystaidsolong,thatevenBingley’sgoodhumourwasovercome,andheproceededsofarastotalkofgivingthemahinttobegone.MissBingleywasverydeeplymortifiedbyDarcy’smarriage;butasshethoughtit

advisabletoretaintherightofvisitingatPemberley,shedroptallherresentment;wasfonderthaneverofGeorgiana,almostasattentivetoDarcyasheretofore,andpaidoff

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everyarrearofcivilitytoElizabeth.PemberleywasnowGeorgiana’shome;andtheattachmentofthesisterswasexactly

whatDarcyhadhopedtosee.Theywereabletoloveeachotherevenaswellastheyintended.GeorgianahadthehighestopinionintheworldofElizabeth;thoughatfirstsheoftenlistenedwithanastonishmentborderingonalarmatherlively,sportive,man-neroftalkingtoherbrother.He,whohadalwaysinspiredinherselfarespectwhichal-mostovercameheraffection,shenowsawtheobjectofopenpleasantry.Hermindre-ceivedknowledgewhichhadneverbefore fallen inherway.ByElizabeth’s instruc-tions, she began to comprehend that a womanmay take liberties with her husbandwhichabrotherwillnotalwaysallowinasistermorethantenyearsyoungerthanhim-self.LadyCatherinewasextremelyindignantonthemarriageofhernephew;andasshe

gavewaytoallthegenuinefranknessofhercharacterinherreplytotheletterwhichannounceditsarrangement,shesenthimlanguagesoveryabusive,especiallyofEliza-beth,thatforsometimeallintercoursewasatanend.Butatlength,byElizabeth’sper-suasion,hewasprevailedon tooverlook theoffence,andseeka reconciliation;and,afteralittlefurtherresistanceonthepartofhisaunt,herresentmentgaveway,eithertoheraffectionforhim,orhercuriositytoseehowhiswifeconductedherself;andshecondescendedtowaitonthematPemberley,inspiteofthatpollutionwhichitswoodshad received, notmerely from the presence of such amistress, but the visits of heruncleandauntfromthecity.WiththeGardiners,theywerealwaysonthemostintimateterms.Darcy,aswellas

Elizabeth,reallylovedthem;andtheywerebotheversensibleofthewarmestgratitudetowardsthepersonswho,bybringingherintoDerbyshire,hadbeenthemeansofunit-ingthem.

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