{{prxprp035.jpg}} || PRIDE AND PREJUDICE 35 ||

Chapter IX

Elizabeth passed the chief of the night in her sister's room, and

in the morning had the pleasure of being able to send a tolerable

answer to the inquiries which she very early received from

Mr. Bingley by a housemaid, and some time afterwards from the

two elegant ladies who waited on his sisters. In spite of this

amendment, however, she requested to have a note sent to Long-'

bourn, desiring her mother to visit Jane, and form her own

judgment of her situation. The note was immediately dis'

patched, and its contents as quickly complied with. Mrs. Bennet,

accompanied by her two youngest girls, reached Netherfield soon

after the family breakfast.

Had she found Jane in any apparent danger, Mrs. Bennet

would have been very miserable; but being satisfied on seeing her

that her illness was not alarming, she had no wish of her recovering

immediately, as her restoration to health would probably remove

her from Netherfield. She would not listen, therefore, to her

daughter's proposal of being carried home; neither did the apothc

cary, who arrived about the same time, think it at all advisable.

After sitting a little while with Jane, on Miss Bingley's appearance

and invitation, the mother and three daughters all attended her

into the breakfast parlour. Bingley met them with hopes that

Mrs. Bennet had not found Miss Bennet worse than she expected.

'Indeed I have, Sir,' was her answer. 'She is a great deal too

ill to be moved. Mr. Jones says we must not think of moving

her. We must trespass a little longer on your kindness.'

'Removed!' cried Bingley. 'It must not be thought o£ My

sister, I am sure, will not hear of her removal.'

'You may depend upon it, Madam,' said Miss Bingley, with

cold civility, 'that Miss Bennet shall receive every possible attention

while she remains with us.'

Mrs. Bennet was profuse in her acknowledgments.

'I am sure,' she added, 'if it was not for such good friends I do

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