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is quite as much of _that_ going on in the country as in

town.'

Everybody was surprised; and Darcy, after looking at

her for a moment, turned silently away. Mrs. Bennet, who

fancied she had gained a complete victory over him, con-

tinued her triumph,--

'I cannot see that London has any great advantage over

the country, for my part, except the shops and public places.

The country is a vast deal pleasanter, is not it, Mr. Bing-

ley?'

'When I am in the country,' he replied, 'I never wish

to leave it; and when I am in town, it is pretty much the

same. They have each their advantages, and I can be

equally happy in either.'

'Ay, that is because you have the right disposition. But

that gentleman,' looking at Darcy, 'seemed to think the

country was nothing at all.'

'Indeed, mamma, you are mistaken,' said Elizabeth, blush-

ing for her mother. 'You quite mistook Mr. Darcy. He

only meant that there was not such a variety of people

to be met with in the country as in town, which you must

acknowledge to be true.'

'Certainly, my dear, nobody said there were; but as to

not meeting with many people in this neighbourhood, I

believe there are few neighbourhoods larger. I know we

dine with four-and-twenty families.'

Nothing but concern for Elizabeth could enable Bingley

to keep his countenance. His sister was less delicate, and

directed her eye towards Mr. Darcy with a very expres-

sive smile. Elizabeth, for the sake of saying something

that might turn her mother's thoughts, now asked her if

Charlotte Lucas had been at Longbourn since _her_ coming

away.

'Yes, she called yesterday with her father. What an

agreeable man Sir William is, Mr. Bingley -- is not he? so

much the man of fashion! so genteel and so easy! He has

always something to say to everybody. _That_ is my idea

of good-breeding; and those persons who fancy themselves

very important and never open their mouths quite mistake

the matter.'

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