{{prxprp039.jpg}} || PRIDE AND PREJUDICE 39 ||

Mr. Bingley with having promised on his first coming into the

country to give a ball at Netherfield.

Lydia was a stout, well'grown girl of fifteen, with a fine

complexion and good-humoured countenance; a favourite with

her mother, whose affection had brought her into public at an

early age. She had high animal spirits, and a sort of natural

self-consequence, which the attention of the officers, to whom her

uncle's good dinners and her own easy manners recommended

her, had increased into assurance. She was very equal, therefore,

to address Mr. Bingley on the subject of the ball, and abruptly

reminded him of his promise; adding, that it would be the most

shameful thing in the world if he did not keep it. His answer

to this sudden attack was delightful to her mother's ear.

'I am perfectly ready, I assure you, to keep my engagement;

and when your sister is recovered, you shall, if you please, name

the very day of the ball. But you would not wish to be dancing

while she is ill.'

Lydia declared herself satisfied. 'Oh! yes -- it would be much

better to wait till Jane was well, and by that time most likely

Captain Carter would be at Meryton again. And when you

have given your ball,' she added, 'I shall insist on their giving

one also. I shall tell Colonel Forster it will be quite a shame

if he does not.'

Mrs. Bennet and her daughters then departed, and Elizabeth

returned instantly to Jane, leaving her own and her relations'

behaviour to the remarks of the two ladies and Mr. Darcy; the

latter of whom, however, could not be prevailed on to join in

their censure of her, in spite of all Miss Bingley 's witticisms on

Hue eyes.

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