In seeing Bingley,her thoughts naturally flew to her sister;and oh!how ardently did she long to know whether any of his were directed in a like manner.Sometimes she could fancy that he talked less than on former occasions,and once or twice pleased herself with the notion that as he looked at her,he was trying to trace a resemblance.But though this might be imaginary,she could not be deceived as to his behaviour to Miss Darcy,who had been set up as a rival to Jane.No look appeared on either side that spoke particular regard.Nothing occurred between them that could justify the hopes of his sister.On this point she was soon satisfied;and two or three little circumstances occurred ere they parted which,in her anxious interpretation,denoted a recollection of Jane not untinctured by tenderness,and a wish of saying more that might lead to the mention of her,had he dared.He observed to her,at a moment when the others were talking together,and in a tone which had something of real regret,that it ‘was a very long time since he had had the pleasure of seeing her’and,before she could reply,he added,‘It is above eight months.We have not met since the 26th of November,when we were all dancing together at Netherfield.’
Elizabeth was pleased to find his memory so exact;and he afterwards took occasion to ask her,when unattended to by any of the rest,whether all her sisters were at Longbourn.There was not much in the question,nor in the preceding remark,but there was a look and manner which gave them meaning.
It was not often that she could turn her eyes on Mr Darcy himself;but,whenever she did catch a glimpse,she saw an expression of general complaisance,and in all that he said she heard an accent so far removed from hauteur or disdain of his companions,as convinced her that the improvement of manners which she had yesterday witnessed,however temporary its existence might prove,had at least outlived one day.When she saw him thus seeking the acquaintance and courting the good opinion of people with whom any intercourse a few months ago would have been a disgrace;when she saw him thus civil,not only to herself,but to the very relations whom he had openly disdained,and recollected their last lively scene in Hunsford Parsonage;the difference,the change was so great,and struck so forcibly on her mind,that she could hardly restrain her astonishment from being visible.Never,even in the company of his dear friends at Netherfield,or his dignified relations at Rosings,had she seen him so desirous to please,so free from self consequence or unbending reserve,as now,when no importance could result from the success of his endeavours,and when even the acquaintance of those to whom his attentions were addressed would draw down the ridicule and censure of the ladies both of Netherfield and Rosings.
Their visitors staid with them above half an hour;and when they arose to depart,Mr Darcy called on his sister to join him in expressing their wish of seeing Mr and Mrs Gardiner and Miss Bennet to dinner at Pemberley before they left the country.Miss Darcy,though with a diffidence which marked her little in the habit of giving invitations,readily obeyed.Mrs Gardiner looked at her niece,desirous of knowing how she,whom the invitation most concerned,felt disposed as to its acceptance,but Elizabeth had turned away her head.Presuming,however,that this studied avoidance spoke rather a momentary embarrassment than any dislike of the proposal,and seeing in her husband,who was fond of society,a perfect willingness to accept it,she ventured to engage for her attendance,and the day after the next was fixed on.
Bingley expressed great pleasure in the certainty of seeing Elizabeth again,having still a great deal to say to her,and many inquiries to make after all their Hertfordshire friends.Elizabeth,construing all this into a wish of hearing her speak of her sister,was pleased;and on this account,as well as some others,found herself,when their visitors left them,capable of considering the last half hour with some satisfaction,though while it was passing the enjoyment of it had been little.Eager to be alone,and fearful of inquiries or hints from her uncle and aunt,she staid with them only long enough to hear their favourable opinion of Bingley,and then hurried away to dress.
But she had no reason to fear Mr and Mrs Gardiner's curiosity;it was not their wish to force her communication.It was evident that she was much better acquainted with Mr Darcy than they had before any idea of;it was evident that he was very much in love with her.They saw much to interest,but nothing to justify inquiry.
Of Mr Darcy it was now a matter of anxiety to think well;and,as far as their acquaintance reached,there was no fault to find.They could not be untouched by his politeness,and,had they drawn his character from their own feelings and his servant's report,without any reference to any other account,the circle in Hertfordshire to which he was known would not have recognised it for Mr Darcy.There was now an interest,however,in believing the housekeeper;and they soon became sensible that the authority of a servant who had known him since he was four years old,and whose own manners indicated respectability,was not to be hastily rejected.Neither had any thing occurred in the intelligence of their Lambton friends that could materially lessen its weight.They had nothing to accuse him of but pride;pride he probably had,and if not,it would certainly be imputed by the inhabitants of a small market town where the family did not visit.It was acknowledged,however,that he was a liberal man,and did much good among the poor.
