{{prxprp030.jpg}} || 30 PRIDE AND PREJUDICE ||

about the country, because her sister had a cold; Her hair, so

untidy, so blowsy!'

'Yes, and her petticoat; I hope you saw her petticoat, six inches

deep in mud, I am absolutely certain; and the gown which had

been let down to hide it not doing its office.'

'Your picture may be very exact, Louisa,' said Bingley; 'but

this was all lost upon me. I thought Miss Elizabeth Bennet

looked remarkably well when she came into the room this

morning. Her dirty petticoat quite escaped my notice.'

'You observed it, Mr. Darcy, I am sure,' said Miss Bingley;

'and I am inclined to think that you would not wish to see your

sister make such an exhibition.'

'Certainly not.'

'To walk three miles, or four miles, or five miles, or whatever

it is, above her ancles in dirt, and alone, quite alone! what could

she mean by it J It seems to me to shew an abominable sort

of conceited independence, a most country-'town indifference

to decorum.'

'It shews an affection for her sister that is very pleasing,' said

Bingley.

'I am afraid, Mr. Darcy,' observed Miss Bingley, in a half

whisper, 'that this adventure has rather affected your admiration

of her fine eyes.'

'Not at all,' he replied; 'they were brightened by the exercise.'

-- A short pause followed this speech, and Mrs. Hurst began

again.

'I have an excessive regard for Jane Bennet, she is really a very

sweet girl, and I wish with all my heart she were well settled.

But with such a father and mother, and such low connections,

I am afraid there is no chance of it.'

'I think I have heard you say, that their uncle is an attorney

in Meryton.'

'Yes; and they have another, who lives somewhere near

Cheapside.'

'That is capital,' added her sister, and they both laughed heartily.

'If they had uncles enough to fill all Cheapside,' cried Bingley,

'it would not make them one jot less agreeable.'

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