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pected. He was resolutely silent, however; and, from a

determination of making him speak, she continued,--

'I remember, when we first knew her in Hertfordshire,

how amazed we all were to find that she was a reputed

beauty; and I particularly recollect your saying one night,

after they had been dining at Netherfield, _"She_ a beauty! I

should as soon call her mother a wit." But afterwards she

seemed to improve on you, and I believe you thought her

rather pretty at one time.'

'Yes,' replied Darcy, who could contain himself no longer,

'but _that_ was only when I first knew her; for it is many

months since I have considered her as one of the handsomest

women of my acquaintance.'

He then went away, and Miss Bingley was left to all the

satisfaction of having forced him to say what gave no one

any pain but herself.

Mrs. Gardiner and Elizabeth talked of all that had occurred

during their visit, as they returned, except what had particu-

larly interested them both. The looks and behaviour of

everybody they had seen were discussed, except of the person

who had mostly engaged their attention. They talked of his

sister, his friends, his house, his fruit, of everything but him-

self; yet Elizabeth was longing to know what Mrs. Gardiner

thought of him, and Mrs. Gardiner would have been highly

gratified by her niece's beginning the subject.

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