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ing without intermission; Jane certainly could not come

back.

'This was a lucky idea of mine, indeed!' said Mrs. Bennet,

more than once, as if the credit of making it rain were all

her own. Till the next morning, however, she was not

aware of all the felicity of her contrivance. Breakfast was

scarcely over when a servant from Netherfield brought the

following note for Elizabeth:--

> 'My Dearest Lizzy -- I find myself very unwell this morning,

> which, I suppose, is to be imputed to my getting wet through yes-

> terday. My kind friends will not hear of my returning home till

> I am better. They insist also on my seeing Mr. Jones -- therefore do

> not be alarmed if you should hear of his having been to me -- and,

> excepting a sore throat and a headache, there is not much the matter

> with me.'

>

> 'Yours, etc.'

'Well, my dear,' said Mr. Bennet, when Elizabeth had

read the note aloud, 'if your daughter should have a

dangerous fit of illness -- if she should die -- it would be a

comfort to know that it was all in pursuit of Mr. Bingley,

and under your orders.'

'Oh, I am not at all afraid of her dying. People do not

die of little trifling colds. She will be taken good care of.

As long as she stays there, it is all very well. I would go

and see her if I could have the carriage.'

Elizabeth, feeling really anxious, determined to go to her

though the carriage was not to be had: and as she was no

horsewoman, walking was her only alternative. She de-

clared her resolution.

'How can you be so silly,' cried her mother, 'as to think

of such a thing, in all this dirt! You will not be fit to be

seen when you get there.'

'I shall be very fit to see Jane -- which is all I want.'

'Is this a hint to me, Lizzy,' said her father, 'to send for

the horses?'

'No, indeed. I do not wish to avoid the walk. The

distance is nothing, when one has a motive; only three

miles. I shall be back by dinner.'

'I admire the activity of your benevolence,' observed

Mary, 'but every impulse of feeling should be guided by

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