[Illustration] [Illustration] CHAPTER VI [Illustration] The ladies of Longbourn soon waited on those of Netherfield The visit was returned in due form Miss Bennet’s pleasing manners grew on the good-will of Mrs She mentioned this to her friend, Miss Lucas “It may, perhaps, be pleasant,” replied Charlotte, “to be able to impose on the public in such a case; but it is sometimes a disadvantage to be so very guarded There is so much of gratitude or vanity in almost every attachment, that it is not safe to leave any to itself We can all _begin_ freely--a slight preference is natural enough; but there are very few of us who have heart enough to be really in love without encouragement In nine cases out of ten, a woman had better show _more_ affection than she feels Bingley likes your sister undoubtedly; but he may never do more than like her, if she does not help him on.” “But she does help him on, as much as her nature will allow Jane should therefore make the most of every half hour in which she can command his attention But these are not Jane’s feelings; she is not acting by design As yet she cannot even be certain of the degree of her own regard, nor of its reasonableness She has known him only a fortnight She danced four dances with him at Meryton; she saw him one morning at his own house, and has since dined in company with him four times This is not quite enough to make her understand his character.” “Not as you represent it Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance If the dispositions of the parties are ever so well known to each other, or ever so similar beforehand, it does not advance their felicity in the least You know it is not sound, and that you would never act in this way yourself.” Occupied in observing Mr Bingley’s attention to her sister, Elizabeth was far from suspecting that she was herself becoming an object of some interest in the eyes of his friend Darcy had at first scarcely allowed her to be pretty: he had looked at her without admiration at the ball; and when they next met, he looked at her only to criticise To this discovery succeeded some others equally mortifying Of this she was perfectly unaware: to her he was only the man who made himself agreeable nowhere, and who had not thought her handsome enough to dance with He began to wish to know more of her; and, as a step towards conversing with her himself, attended to her conversation with others It was at Sir William Lucas’s, where a large party were assembled Darcy mean,” said she to Charlotte, “by listening to my conversation with Colonel Forster?” “That is a question which Mr Darcy only can answer.” “But if he does it any more, I shall certainly let him know that I see what he is about “I am going to open the instrument, Eliza, and you know what follows.” “You are a very strange creature by way of a friend!--always wanting me to play and sing before anybody and everybody There is nothing like dancing, after all “Your friend performs delightfully,” he continued, after a pause, on seeing Bingley join the group; “and I doubt not that you are an adept in the science yourself, Mr Darcy.” “You saw me dance at Meryton, I believe, sir.” “Yes, indeed, and received no inconsiderable pleasure from the sight Darcy, you must allow me to present this young lady to you as a very desirable partner You cannot refuse to dance, I am sure, when so much beauty is before you.” And, taking her hand, he would have given it to Mr I entreat you not to suppose that I moved this way in order to beg for a partner.” Mr Darcy, with grave propriety, requested to be allowed the honour of her hand, but in vain Elizabeth was determined; nor did Sir William at all shake her purpose by his attempt at persuasion Darcy is all politeness,” said Elizabeth, smiling “He is, indeed: but considering the inducement, my dear Miss Eliza, we cannot wonder at his complaisance; for who would object to such a partner?” Elizabeth looked archly, and turned away The insipidity, and yet the noise--the nothingness, and yet the self-importance, of all these people What would I give to hear your strictures on them!” “Your conjecture is totally wrong, I assure you My mind was more agreeably engaged Darcy replied, with great intrepidity,-- “Miss Elizabeth Bennet.” “Miss Elizabeth Bennet!” repeated Miss Bingley How long has she been such a favourite and pray when am I to wish you joy?” “That is exactly the question which I expected you to ask A lady’s imagination is very rapid; it jumps from admiration to love, from love to matrimony, in a moment I knew you would be wishing me joy.” “Nay, if you are so serious about it, I shall consider the matter as absolutely settled [Illustration: “A note for Miss Bennet” [_Copyright 1894 by George Allen._]] CHAPTER VII Her father had been an attorney in Meryton, and had left her four thousand pounds She had a sister married to a Mr Philips, who had been a clerk to their father and succeeded him in the business, and a brother settled in London in a respectable line of trade