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Elizabeth could not oppose such a wish; and from this

time Mr. Bingley's name was scarcely ever mentioned be-

tween them.

Mrs. Bennet still continued to wonder and repine at his

returning no more; and though a day seldom passed in which

Elizabeth did not account for it clearly, there seemed little

chance of her ever considering it with less perplexity. Her

daughter endeavoured to convince her of what she did not

believe herself, that his attentions to Jane had been merely

the effect of a common and transient liking, which ceased

when he saw her no more; but though the probability of the

statement was admitted at the time, she had the same story

to repeat every day. Mrs. Bennet's best comfort was, that

Mr. Bingley must be down again in the summer.

Mr. Bennet treated the matter differently. 'So Lizzy,'

said he, one day, 'your sister is crossed in love, I find. I

congratulate her. Next to being married, a girl likes to be

crossed in love a little now and then. It is something to

think of, and gives her a sort of distinction among her com-

panions. When is your turn to come? You will hardly bear

to be long outdone by Jane. Now is your time. Here are

officers enough at Meryton to disappoint all the young ladies

in the country. Let Wickham be your man. He is a pleas-

ant fellow, and would jilt you creditably.'

'Thank you, sir, but a less agreeable man would satisfy

me. We must not all expect Jane's good fortune.'

'True,' said Mr. Bennet; 'but it is a comfort to think

that, whatever of that kind may befall you, you have

an affectionate mother who will always make the most

of it.'

Mr. Wickham's society was of material service in dis-

pelling the gloom which the late perverse occurrences had

thrown on many of the Longbourn family. They saw him

often, and to his other recommendations was now added that

of general unreserve. The whole of what Elizabeth had

already heard, his claims on Mr. Darcy, and all that he had

suffered from him, was now openly acknowledged and

publicly canvassed; and everybody was pleased to think

how much they had always disliked Mr. Darcy before they

had known anything of the matter.

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