{{prhprp195.jpg}}

To this speech Bingley made no answer; but his sisters

gave it their hearty assent, and indulged their mirth for

some time at the expense of their dear friend's vulgar

relations.

With a renewal of tenderness, however, they repaired to

her room on leaving the dining-parlour, and sat with her till

summoned to coffee. She was still very poorly, and

Elizabeth would not quit her at all, till late in the evening,

when she had the comfort of seeing her asleep, and when

it appeared to her rather right than pleasant that she should

go downstairs herself. On entering the drawing-room, she

found the whole party at loo, and was immediately invited

to join them; but suspecting them to be playing high, she

declined it, and making her sister the excuse, said she would

amuse herself, for the short time she could stay below, with

a book. Mr. Hurst looked at her with astonishment.

'Do you prefer reading to cards?' said he; 'that is rather

singular.'

'Miss Eliza Bennet,' said Miss Bingley, 'despises cards.

She is a great reader, and has no pleasure in anything else.'

'I deserve neither such praise nor such censure,' cried

Elizabeth; 'I am _not_ a great reader, and I have pleasure in

many things.'

'In nursing your sister I am sure you have pleasure,' said

Bingley; 'and I hope it will soon be increased by seeing her

quite well.'

Elizabeth thanked him from her heart, and then walked

towards a table where a few books were lying. He im-

mediately offered to fetch her others; all that his library

afforded.

'And I wish my collection were larger for your benefit

and my own credit; but I am an idle fellow; and though I

have not many, I have more than I ever looked into.'

Elizabeth assured him that she could suit herself perfectly

with those in the room.

'I am astonished,' said Miss Bingley, 'that my father

should have left so small a collection of books. What a

delightful library you have at Pemberley, Mr. Darcy!'

'It ought to be good,' he replied: 'it has been the work of

many generations.'

 [195]