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stow on any one else: but she found herself considerably

useful to both of them in those hours of separation that must

sometimes occur. In the absence of Jane, he always attached

himself to Elizabeth for the pleasure of talking of her; and

when Bingley was gone, Jane constantly sought the same

means of relief.

'He has made me so happy,' said she, one evening, 'by

telling me that he was totally ignorant of my being in town

last spring! I had not believed it possible.'

'I suspected as much,' replied Elizabeth. 'But how did he

account for it?'

'It must have been his sisters' doing. They were certainly

no friends to his acquaintance with me, which I cannot won-

der at, since he might have chosen so much more advantage-

ously in many respects. But when they see, as I trust they

will, that their brother is happy with me, they will learn to

be contented, and we shall be on good terms again: though

we can never be what we once were to each other.'

'That is the most unforgiving speech,' said Elizabeth, 'that

I ever heard you utter. Good girl! It would vex me, indeed,

to see you again the dupe of Miss Bingley's pretended regard.'

'Would you believe it, Lizzy, that when he went to town

last November he really loved me, and nothing but a persua-

sion of _my_ being indifferent would have prevented his com-

ing down again?'

'He made a little mistake, to be sure; but it is to the credit

of his modesty.'

This naturally introduced a panegyric from Jane on his

diffidence, and the little value he put on his own good

qualities.

Elizabeth was pleased to find that he had not betrayed the

interference of his friend; for, though Jane had the most

generous and forgiving heart in the world, she knew it was a

circumstance which must prejudice her against him.

'I am certainly the most fortunate creature that ever ex-

isted!' cried Jane. 'Oh, Lizzy, why am I thus singled from

my family, and blessed above them all? If I could but see

you as happy! If there were but such another man for you!'

'If you were to give me forty such men I never could be

so happy as you. Till I have your disposition, your goodness,

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