As all
conversation was thereby at an end, Elizabeth soon afterwards left the
room
Whatever bears affinity to cunning is
despicable.”

Miss Bingley was not so entirely satisfied with this reply as to
continue the subject
Elizabeth joined them again only to say that her sister was worse, and
that she could not leave her
Jones’s being sent for
immediately; while his sisters, convinced that no country advice could
be of any service, recommended an express to town for one of the most
eminent physicians
This she would not hear of; but she was not so
unwilling to comply with their brother’s proposal; and it was settled
that Mr
Jones should be sent for early in the morning, if Miss Bennet
were not decidedly better
Bingley was quite uncomfortable; his sisters
declared that they were miserable
[Illustration:

M^{rs} Bennet and her two youngest girls

[_Copyright 1894 by George Allen._]]




CHAPTER IX
Bingley by a housemaid,
and some time afterwards from the two elegant ladies who waited on his
sisters
In spite of this amendment, however, she requested to have a
note sent to Longbourn, desiring her mother to visit Jane, and form her
own judgment of her situation
The note was immediately despatched, and
its contents as quickly complied with
Bennet, accompanied by her
two youngest girls, reached Netherfield soon after the family breakfast
Had she found Jane in any apparent danger, Mrs
She
would not listen, therefore, to her daughter’s proposal of being carried
home; neither did the apothecary, who arrived about the same time, think
it at all advisable
After sitting a little while with Jane, on Miss
Bingley’s appearance and invitation, the mother and three daughters all
attended her into the breakfast parlour
Bingley met them with hopes
that Mrs
Bennet had not found Miss Bennet worse than she expected
“Indeed I have, sir,” was her answer
“She is a great deal too ill to be
moved
Jones says we must not think of moving her
We must trespass
a little longer on your kindness.”

“Removed!” cried Bingley
Bennet was profuse in her acknowledgments
I often tell my other girls they are nothing to
_her_
Bingley, and a charming prospect
over that gravel walk
I do not know a place in the country that is
equal to Netherfield
At present, however, I consider myself as quite fixed here.”

“That is exactly what I should have supposed of you,” said Elizabeth
“You begin to comprehend me, do you?” cried he, turning towards her
“Oh yes--I understand you perfectly.”

“I wish I might take this for a compliment; but to be so easily seen
through, I am afraid, is pitiful.”

“That is as it happens
It must be an amusing study.”

“Yes; but intricate characters are the _most_ amusing
They have at
least that advantage.”

“The country,” said Darcy, “can in general supply but few subjects for
such a study
Bennet, offended by his manner of mentioning a
country neighbourhood
“I assure you there is quite as much of _that_
going on in the country as in town.”

Everybody was surprised; and Darcy, after looking at her for a moment,
turned silently away
The country is a vast deal
pleasanter, is not it, Mr
Bingley?”

“When I am in the country,” he replied, “I never wish to leave it; and
when I am in town, it is pretty much the same
They have each their
advantages, and I can be equally happy in either.”

“Ay, that is because you have the right disposition
But that
gentleman,” looking at Darcy, “seemed to think the country was nothing
at all.”

“Indeed, mamma, you are mistaken,” said Elizabeth, blushing for her
mother
I know we dine with four-and-twenty families.”

Nothing but concern for Elizabeth could enable Bingley to keep his
countenance
His sister was less delicate, and directed her eye towards
Mr
Darcy with a very expressive smile
Elizabeth, for the sake of
saying something that might turn her mother’s thoughts, now asked her if
Charlotte Lucas had been at Longbourn since _her_ coming away
“Yes, she called yesterday with her father
What an agreeable man Sir
William is, Mr
He has always something to say to everybody
I fancy she was wanted about the mince-pies
Bingley, _I_ always keep servants that can do their own
work; _my_ daughters are brought up differently
But everybody is to
judge for themselves, and the Lucases are a very good sort of girls, I
assure you
It is a pity they are not handsome
Not that _I_ think
Charlotte so _very_ plain; but then she is our particular friend.”

“She seems a very pleasant young woman,” said Bingley
“Oh dear, yes; but you must own she is very plain
Lady Lucas herself
has often said so, and envied me Jane’s beauty