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> blaming, her. She was very wrong in singling me out as she did;

> I can safely say that every advance to intimacy began on her side.

> But I pity her, because she must feel that she has been acting wrong,

> and because I am very sure that anxiety for her brother is the

> cause of it. I need not explain myself farther; and though _we_

> know this anxiety to be quite needless, yet if she feels it, it will

> easily account for her behaviour to me; and so deservedly dear as

> he is to his sister, whatever anxiety she may feel on his behalf is

> natural and amiable. I cannot but wonder, however, at her having

> any such fears now, because if he had at all cared about me, we must

> have met long, long ago. He knows of my being in town, I am

> certain, from something she said herself; and yet it would seem, by

> her manner of talking, as if she wanted to persuade herself that he

> is really partial to Miss Darcy. I cannot understand it. If I were

> not afraid of judging harshly, I should be almost tempted to say

> that there is a strong appearance of duplicity in all this. But I

> will endeavour to banish every painful thought, and think only of

> what will make me happy, your affection, and the invariable kindness

> of my dear uncle and aunt. Let me hear from you very soon. Miss

> Bingley said something of his never returning to Netherfield again,

> of giving up the house, but not with any certainty. We had better

> not mention it. I am extremely glad that you have such pleasant

> accounts from our friends at Hunsford. Pray go to see them, with

> Sir William and Maria. I am sure you will be very comfortable

> there. Yours,' etc.

This letter gave Elizabeth some pain; but her spirits

returned, as she considered that Jane would no longer be

duped, by the sister at least. All expectation from the

brother was now absolutely over. She would not even wish

for any renewal of his attentions. His character sank on

every review of it; and, as a punishment for him, as well

as a possible advantage to Jane, she seriously hoped he

might really soon marry Mr. Darcy's sister, as, by Wickham's

account, she would make him abundantly regret what he

had thrown away.

Mrs. Gardiner about this time reminded Elizabeth of her

promise concerning that gentleman, and required informa-

tion; and Elizabeth had such to send as might rather give

contentment to her aunt than to herself. His apparent

partiality had subsided, his attentions were over, he was

the admirer of some one else. Elizabeth was watchful

enough to see it all, but she could see it and write of it

without material pain. Her heart had been but slightly

touched, and her vanity was satisfied with believing that _she_

would have been his only choice, had fortune permitted it.

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