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Chapter XII

In consequence of an agreement between the sisters, Elizabeth

wrote the next morning to her mother, to beg that the carriage

might be sent for them in the course of the day. But Mrs. Bennet,

who had calculated on her daughters remaining at Netherficld till

the following Tuesday, which would exactly finish Jane's week,

could not bring herself to receive them with pleasure before. Her

answer, therefore, was not propitious, at least not to Elizabeth's

wishes, for she was impatient to get home. Mrs. Bennet sent

them word that they could not possibly have the carriage before

Tuesday; and in her postscript it was added, that if Mr. Bingley

and his sister pressed them to stay longer, she could spare them

very welL -- Against staying longer, however, Elizabeth was

positively resolved -- nor did she much expect it would be asked;

and fearful, on the contrary, as being considered as intruding

themselves needlessly long, she urged Jane to borrow Mr. Bingley *s

carriage immediately, and at length it was settled that their original

design of leaving Netherfield that morning should be mentioned,

and the request made.

The communication excited many professions of concern; and

enough was said of wishing them to stay at least till the following

day to work on Jane; and till the morrow their going was deferred.

Miss Bingley was then sorry that she had proposed the delay, for

her jealousy and dislike of one sister much exceeded her affection

for the other.

The master of the house heard with real sorrow that they were

to go so soon, and repeatedly tried to persuade Miss Bennet that

it would not be safe for her -- that she was not enough recovered;

but Jane was firm where she felt herself to be right.

To Mr. Darcy it was welcome intelligence -- Elizabeth had

been at Netherfield long enough. She attracted him more than

he liked -- and Miss Bingley was uncivil to her, and more teasing

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