{{prhprp271.jpg}}

'It is unlucky,' said she, after a short pause, 'that you

should not be able to see your friends before they leave the

country. But may we not hope that the period of future hap-

piness, to which Miss Bingley looks forward, may arrive

earlier than she is aware, and that the delightful intercourse

you have known as friends will be renewed with yet greater

satisfaction as sisters? Mr. Bingley will not be detained in

London by them.'

'Caroline decidedly says that none of the party will return

into Hertfordshire this winter. I will read it to you.'

'When my brother left us yesterday, he imagined that

the business which took him to London might be concluded

in three or four days; but as we are certain it cannot be so,

and at the same time convinced that when Charles gets to

town he will be in no hurry to leave it again, we have deter-

mined on following him thither, that he may not be obliged

to spend his vacant hours in a comfortless hotel. Many of

my acquaintance are already there for the winter: I wish I

could hear that you, my dearest friend, had any intention of

making one in the crowd, but of that I despair. I sincerely

hope your Christmas in Hertfordshire may abound in the

gaieties which that season generally brings, and that your

beaux will be so numerous as to prevent your feeling the

loss of the three of whom we shall deprive you.'

'It is evident by this,' added Jane, 'that he comes back no

more this winter.'

'It is only evident that Miss Bingley does not mean he

_should.'_

'Why will you think so? It must be his own doing; he

is his own master. But you do not know _all._ I _will_ read

you the passage which particularly hurts me. I will have no

reserves from _you._ "Mr. Darcy is impatient to see his sister;

and to confess the truth, _we_ are scarcely less eager to meet

her again. I really do not think Georgiana Darcy has her

equal for beauty, elegance, and accomplishments; and the

affection she inspires in Louisa and myself is heightened into

something still more interesting from the hope we dare to

entertain of her being hereafter our sister. I do not know

whether I ever before mentioned to you my feelings on this

subject, but I will not leave the country without confiding

 [271]