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'It is no such thing. Lydia does not leave me because

she is married; but only because her husband's regiment

happens to be so far off. If that had been nearer, she would

not have gone so soon.'

But the spiritless condition which this event threw her

into was shortly relieved, and her mind opened again to the

agitation of hope, by an article of news, which then began

to be in circulation. The housekeeper at Netherfield had

received orders to prepare for the arrival of her master, who

was coming down in a day or two, to shoot there for several

weeks. Mrs. Bennet was quite in the fidgets. She looked

at Jane, and smiled, and shook her head, by turns.

'Well, well, and so Mr. Bingley is coming down, sister,'

(for Mrs. Philips first brought her the news). 'Well, so

much the better. Not that I care about it, though. He is

nothing to us, you know, and I am sure I never want to see

him again. But, however, he is very welcome to come to

Netherfield, if he likes it. And who knows what _may_

happen? But that is nothing to us. You know, sister, we

agreed long ago never to mention a word about it. And so,

it is quite certain he is coming?'

'You may depend on it,' replied the other, 'for Mrs.

Nichols was in Meryton last night: I saw her passing by,

and went out myself on purpose to know the truth of it;

and she told me that it was certainly true. He comes down

on Thursday, at the latest, very likely on Wednesday. She

was going to the butcher's, she told me, on purpose to order

in some meat on Wednesday, and she has got three couple

of ducks just fit to be killed.'

Miss Bennet had not been able to hear of his coming

without changing colour. It was many months since she

had mentioned his name to Elizabeth; but now, as soon as

they were alone together, she said,--

'I saw you look at me to-day, Lizzy, when my aunt told

us of the present report; and I know I appeared distressed;

but don't imagine it was from any silly cause. I was only

confused for the moment, because I felt that I _should_ be

looked at. I do assure you that the news does not affect

me either with pleasure or pain. I am glad of one thing,

that he comes alone; because we shall see the less of him.

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