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temporary its existence might prove, had at least outlived one

day. When she saw him thus seeking the acquaintance and

courting the good opinion of people with whom any inter-

course a few months ago would have been a disgrace; when

she saw him thus civil, not only to herself, but to the very

relations whom he had openly disdained, and recollected their

last lively scene in Hunsford Parsonage, the difference, the

change was so great, and struck so forcibly on her mind,

that she could hardly restrain her astonishment from being

visible. Never, even in the company of his dear friends at

Netherfield, or his dignified relations at Rosings, had she

seen him so desirous to please, so free from self-consequence

or unbending reserve, as now when no importance could

result from the success of his endeavours, and when even the

acquaintance of those to whom his attentions were addressed

would draw down the ridicule and censure of the ladies both

of Netherfield and Rosings.

Their visitors stayed with them above half an hour; and

when they arose to depart, Mr. Darcy called on his sister

to join him in expressing their wish of seeing Mr. and Mrs.

Gardiner, and Miss Bennet, to dinner at Pemberley, before

they left the country. Miss Darcy, though with a diffidence

which marked her little in the habit of giving invitations,

readily obeyed.

Mrs. Gardiner looked at her niece, desirous of know-

ing how _she,_ whom the invitation most concerned, felt

disposed as to its acceptance, but Elizabeth had turned

away her head. Presuming, however, that this studied avoid-

ance spoke rather a momentary embarrassment than any

dislike of the proposal, and seeing in her husband, who was

fond of society, a perfect willingness to accept it, she ven-

tured to engage for her attendance, and the day after the

next was fixed on.

Bingley expressed great pleasure in the certainty of seeing

Elizabeth again, having still a great deal to say to her, and

many inquiries to make after all their Hertfordshire friends.

Elizabeth, construing all this into a wish of hearing her speak

of her sister, was pleased; and on this account, as well as

some others, found herself, when their visitors left them,

capable of considering the last half-hour with some satisfac-

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