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'My aunt,' she continued, 'is going to-morrow into that

part of the town, and I shall take the opportunity of calling

in Grosvenor Street.'

She wrote again when the visit was paid, and she had seen

Miss Bingley. 'I did not think Caroline in spirits,' were her

words, 'but she was very glad to see me, and reproached me

for giving her no notice of my coming to London. I was

right, therefore; my last letter had never reached her. I

inquired after their brother, of course. He was well, but so

much engaged with Mr. Darcy, that they scarcely ever saw

him. I found that Miss Darcy was expected to dinner: I

wish I could see her. My visit was not long, as Caroline

and Mrs. Hurst were going out. I daresay I shall soon see

them here.'

Elizabeth shook her head over this letter. It convinced

her that accident only could discover to Mr. Bingley her

sister's being in town.

Four weeks passed away, and Jane saw nothing of him.

She endeavoured to persuade herself that she did not regret

it; but she could no longer be blind to Miss Bingley's in-

attention. After waiting at home every morning for a

fortnight, and inventing every evening a fresh excuse for

her, the visitor did at last appear; but the shortness of her

stay, and, yet more, the alteration of her manner, would

allow Jane to deceive herself no longer. The letter which

she wrote on this occasion to her sister will prove what

she felt:--

> 'My dearest Lizzy will, I am sure, be incapable of triumphing in

> her better judgment, at my expense, when I confess myself to have

> been entirely deceived in Miss Bingley's regard for me. But, my

> dear sister, though the event has proved you right, do not think

> me obstinate if I still assert that, considering what her behaviour

> was, my confidence was as natural as your suspicion. I do not at

> all comprehend her reason for wishing to be intimate with me; but,

> if the same circumstances were to happen again, I am sure I should

> be deceived again. Caroline did not return my visit till yesterday;

> and not a note, not a line, did I receive in the meantime. When

> she did come, it was very evident that she had no pleasure in it;

> she made a slight, formal apology for not calling before, said not a

> word of wishing to see me again, and was, in every respect, so altered

> a creature, that when she went away I was perfectly resolved to

> continue the acquaintance no longer. I pity, though I cannot help

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