{{prhprp466.jpg}}

the point on which all her chance of pleasure for the evening

must depend.

'If he does not come to me, _then,'_ said she, 'I shall give

him up for ever.'

The gentlemen came; and she thought he looked as if he

would have answered her hopes; but, alas! the ladies had

crowded round the table, where Miss Bennet was making

tea and Elizabeth pouring out the coffee, in so close a con-

federacy, that there was not a single vacancy near her which

would admit of a chair. And on the gentlemen's approaching,

one of the girls moved closer to her than ever, and said, in

a whisper,--

'The men shan't come and part us, I am determined. We

want none of them; do we?'

Darcy had walked away to another part of the room. She

followed him with her eyes, envied every one to whom he

spoke, had scarcely patience enough to help anybody to

coffee, and then was enraged against herself for being so

silly!

'A man who has once been refused! How could I ever

be foolish enough to expect a renewal of his love? Is there

one among the sex who would not protest against such a

weakness as a second proposal to the same woman? There

is no indignity so abhorrent to their feelings.'

She was a little revived, however, by his bringing back his

coffee-cup himself; and she seized the opportunity of say-

ing,--

'Is your sister at Pemberley still?'

'Yes; she will remain there till Christmas.'

'And quite alone? Have all her friends left her?'

'Mrs. Annesley is with her. The others have been gone

on to Scarborough these three weeks.'

She could think of nothing more to say; but if he wished

to converse with her, he might have better success. He

stood by her, however, for some minutes, in silence; and, at

last, on the young lady's whispering to Elizabeth again, he

walked away.

When the tea things were removed, and the card-tables

placed, the ladies all rose, and Elizabeth was then hoping

to be soon joined by him, when all her views were over-

 [466]