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'It is difficult, indeed -- it is distressing. One does not

know what to think.'

'I beg your pardon; -- one knows exactly what to think.'

But Jane could think with certainty on only one point, --

that Mr. Bingley, if he _had_ _been_ imposed on, would have

much to suffer when the affair became public.

The two young ladies were summoned from the shrubbery,

where this conversation passed, by the arrival of some of the

very persons of whom they had been speaking; Mr. Bingley

and his sisters came to give their personal invitation for the

long-expected ball at Netherfield, which was fixed for the

following Tuesday. The two ladies were delighted to see

their dear friend again, called it an age since they had met,

and repeatedly asked what she had been doing with herself

since their separation. To the rest of the family they paid

little attention; avoiding Mrs. Bennet as much as possible,

saying not much to Elizabeth, and nothing at all to the others.

They were soon gone again, rising from their seats with an

activity which took their brother by surprise, and hurrying

off as if eager to escape from Mrs. Bennet's civilities.

The prospect of the Netherfield ball was extremely agree-

able to every female of the family. Mrs. Bennet chose to

consider it as given in compliment to her eldest daughter,

and was particularly flattered by receiving the invitation

from Mr. Bingley himself, instead of a ceremonious card.

Jane pictured to herself a happy evening in the society of

her two friends, and the attentions of their brother; and

Elizabeth thought with pleasure of dancing a great deal with

Mr. Wickham, and of seeing a confirmation of everything

in Mr. Darcy's look and behaviour. The happiness antici-

pated by Catherine and Lydia depended less on any single

event, or any particular person; for though they each, like

Elizabeth, meant to dance half the evening with Mr. Wick-

ham, he was by no means the only partner who could

satisfy them, and a ball was, at any rate, a ball. And even

Mary could assure her family that she had no disinclination

for it.

'While I can have my mornings to myself,' said she, 'it is

enough. I think it is no sacrifice to join occasionally in

evening engagements. Society has claims on us all; and I

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