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'I am sure,' she added, 'if it was not for such good friends,

I do not know what would become of her, for she is very ill

indeed, and suffers a vast deal, though with the greatest pa-

tience in the world, which is always the way with her, for

she has, without exception, the sweetest temper I ever met

with. I often tell my other girls they are nothing to _her._

You have a sweet room here, Mr. Bingley, and a charming

prospect over that gravel walk. I do not know a place in the

country that is equal to Netherfield. You will not think of

quitting it in a hurry, I hope, though you have but a short

lease.'

'Whatever I do is done in a hurry,' replied he; 'and there-

fore if I should resolve to quit Netherfield, I should prob-

ably be off in five minutes. 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 does not necessarily follow that

a deep, intricate character is more or less estimable than

such a one as yours.'

'Lizzy,' cried her mother, 'remember where you are, and

do not run on in the wild manner that you are suffered to

do at home.'

'I did not know before,' continued Bingley, immediately,

'that you were a studier of character. It must be an amus-

ing 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. In a country neighbour-

hood you move in a very confined and unvarying society.'

'But people themselves alter so much, that there is some-

thing new to be observed in them for ever.'

'Yes, indeed,' cried Mrs. Bennet, offended by his manner

of mentioning a country neighbourhood. 'I assure you there

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