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within one of each other; and deeply was she vexed to find

that her mother was talking to that one person (Lady Lucas)

freely, openly, and of nothing else but of her expectation

that Jane would be soon married to Mr. Bingley. It was an

animating subject, and Mrs. Bennet seemed incapable of

fatigue while enumerating the advantages of the match. His

being such a charming young man, and so rich, and living

but three miles from them, were the first points of self-grat-

ulation; and then it was such a comfort to think how fond the

two sisters were of Jane, and to be certain that they must

desire the connection as much as she could do. It was, more-

over, such a promising thing for her younger daughters, as

Jane's marrying so greatly must throw them in the way of

other rich men; and, lastly, it was so pleasant at her time of

life to be able to consign her single daughters to the care of

their sister, that she might not be obliged to go into company

more than she liked. It was necessary to make this circum-

stance a matter of pleasure, because on such occasions it is the

etiquette; but no one was less likely than Mrs. Bennet to find

comfort in staying at home at any period of her life. She

concluded with many good wishes that Lady Lucas might

soon be equally fortunate, though evidently and triumphantly

believing there was no chance of it.

In vain did Elizabeth endeavour to check the rapidity of

her mother's words, or persuade her to describe her felicity in

a less audible whisper; for to her inexpressible vexation she

could perceive that the chief of it was overheard by Mr.

Darcy, who sat opposite to them. Her mother only scolded

her for being nonsensical.

'What is Mr. Darcy to me, pray, that I should be afraid of

him? I am sure we owe him no such particular civility as to

be obliged to say nothing _he_ may not like to hear.'

'For heaven's sake, madam, speak lower. What advantage

can it be to you to offend Mr. Darcy? You will never rec-

ommend yourself to his friend by so doing.'

Nothing that she could say, however, had any influence.

Her mother would talk of her views in the same intelligible

tone. Elizabeth blushed and blushed again with shame and

vexation. She could not help frequently glancing her eye at

Mr. Darcy, though every glance convinced her of what she

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