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Chapter XII

In consequence of an agreement between the sisters,

Elizabeth wrote the next morning to her mother, to beg

that the carriage might be sent for them in the course

of the day. But Mrs. Bennet, who had calculated on her

daughters remaining at Netherfield till the following Tues-

day, which would exactly finish Jane's week, could not bring

herself to receive them with pleasure before. Her answer,

therefore, was not propitious, at least not to Elizabeth's

wishes, for she was impatient to get home. Mrs. Bennet sent

them word that they could not possibly have the carriage

before Tuesday; and in her postscript it was added, that if

Mr. Bingley and his sister pressed them to stay longer, she

could spare them very well. Against staying longer, how-

ever, Elizabeth was positively resolved -- nor did she much

expect it would be asked; and fearful, on the contrary, of

being considered as intruding themselves needlessly long, she

urged Jane to borrow Mr. Bingley's carriage immediately,

and at length it was settled that their original design of leav-

ing Netherfield that morning should be mentioned, and the

request made.

The communication excited many professions of concern;

and enough was said of wishing them to stay at least till the

following day to work on Jane; and till the morrow their

going was deferred. Miss Bingley was then sorry that she

had proposed the delay; for her jealousy and dislike of one

sister much exceeded her affection for the other.

The master of the house heard with real sorrow that they

were to go so soon, and repeatedly tried to persuade Miss

Bennet that it would not be safe for her -- that she was not

enough recovered; but Jane was firm where she felt herself

to be right.

To Mr. Darcy it was welcome intelligence: Elizabeth had

been at Netherfield long enough. She attracted him more

than he liked; and Miss Bingley was uncivil to _her,_ and more

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