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in the latter object, where she feared most to fail, she was

most sure of success, for those to whom she endeavoured to

give pleasure were prepossessed in her favour. Bingley was

ready, Georgiana was eager, and Darcy determined, to be

pleased.

In seeing Bingley, her thoughts naturally flew to her sister;

and oh! how ardently did she long to know whether any

of his were directed in a like manner. Sometimes she could

fancy that he talked less than on former occasions, and once

or twice pleased herself with the notion that as he looked at

her he was trying to trace a resemblance. But, though this

might be imaginary, she could not be deceived as to his

behaviour to Miss Darcy, who had been set up as a rival to

Jane. No look appeared on either side that spoke particular

regard. Nothing occurred between them that could justify

the hopes of his sister. On this point she was soon satisfied;

and two or three little circumstances occurred ere they

parted, which, in her anxious interpretation, denoted a

recollection of Jane, not untinctured by tenderness, and

a wish of saying more that might lead to the mention of her,

had he dared.

He observed to her, at a moment when the others were

talking together, and in a tone which had something of real

regret, that, it 'was a very long time since he had had the

pleasure of seeing her;' and, before she could reply, he added,

'It is above eight months. We have not met since the 26th of

November, when we were all dancing together at Nether-

field.'

Elizabeth was pleased to find his memory so exact; and he

afterwards took occasion to ask her, when unattended to by

any of the rest, whether _all_ her sisters were at Longbourn.

There was not much in the question, nor in the preceding

remark; but there was a look and a manner which gave them

meaning.

It was not often that she could turn her eyes on Mr.

Darcy himself; but whenever she did catch a glimpse she

saw an expression of general complaisance, and in all that he

said she heard an accent so far removed from _hauteur_ or

disdain of his companions, as convinced her that the improve-

ment of manners which she had yesterday witnessed, however

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