{{prxprp031.jpg}} || PRIDE AND PREJUDICE 31 ||

'But it must very materially lessen their chance of marrying

men of any consideration in the world,' replied Darcy.

To this speech Bingley made no answer; but his sisters gave

it their hearty assent, and indulged their mirth for some time at

the expense of their dear friend's vulgar relations.

With a renewal of tenderness, however, they repaired to her

room on leaving the dining'parlour, and sat with her till sum'

moned to coffee. She was still very poorly, and Elizabeth would

not quit her at all, till late in the evening, when she had the

comfort of seeing her asleep, and when it appeared to her rather

right than pleasant that she should go downstairs herself. On

entering the drawing-room she found the whole party at loo, and

was immediately invited to join them; but suspecting them to be

playing high, she declined it, and making her sister the excuse,

said she would amuse herself, for the short time she could stay

below, with a book. Mr. Hurst looked at her with astonishment.

'Do you prefer reading to cards l' said he; 'that is rather

singular.'

'Miss Eliza Bennet,' said Miss Bingley, 'despises cards. She

is a great reader, and has no pleasure in anything else.'

'I deserve neither such praise nor such censure,' cried Elizabeth;

'I am not a great reader, and I have pleasure in many things.'

'In nursing your sister I am sure you have pleasure,' said Bingley;

'and I hope it will soon be increased by seeing her quite well.'

Elizabeth thanked him from her heart, and then walked

towards a table where a few books were lying. He immediately

offered to fetch her others -- all that his library afforded.

'And I wish my collection were larger for your benefit and my

own credit; but I am an idle fellow, and though I have not

many, I have more than I ever look into.'

Elizabeth assured him that she could suit herself perfectly with

those in the room.

'I am astonished,' said Miss Bingley, 'that my father should

have left so small a collection of books. -- What a delightful

library you have at Pemberley, Mr. Darcy!'

'It ought to be good,' he replied, 'it has been the work of many

generations.'

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