{{prxprp103.jpg}} || PRIDE AND PREJUDICE 103 ||

walked back with them to Longbourn, and during the walk

he particularly attended to her. His accompanying them was

a double advantage; she felt all the compliment it offered to

herself, and it was most acceptable as an occasion of introducing

him to her father and mother.

Soon after their return, a letter was delivered to Miss Bennet;

it came from Netherfield, and was opened immediately. The

envelope contained a sheet of elegant, little, hot'pressed paper,

well covered with a lady's fair, flowing hand; and Elizabeth saw

her sister's countenance change as she read it, and saw her dwelling

intently on some particular passages. Jane recollected herself

soon, and putting the letter away, tried to join with her usual

cheerfulness in the general conversation; but Elizabeth felt an

anxiety on the subject which drew off her attention even from

Wickham; and no sooner had he and his companion taken

leave, than a glance from Jane invited her to follow her up stairs.

When they had gained their own room, Jane taking out her

letter, said: 'This is from Caroline Bingley; what it contains has

surprized me a good deal. The whole party have left Netherfield

by this time, and are on their way to town; and without any

intention of coming back again. You shall hear what she says.'

She then read the first sentence aloud, which comprised the

information of their having just resolved to follow their brother

to town directly, and of their meaning to dine that day in Grosvenor

street, where Mr. Hurst had a house. The next was in these

words: 'I do not pretend to regret any thing I shall leave in

Hertfordshire, except your society, my dearest friend; but we will

hope, at some future period, to enjoy many returns of that delightful

intercourse we have known, and in the mean while may lessen the

pain of separation by a very frequent and most unreserved corrc

spondence. I depend on you for that.' To these high-flown

expressions Elizabeth listened with all the insensibility of distrust;

and though the suddenness of their removal surprized her, she

saw nothing in it really to lament; it was not to be supposed that

their absence from Netherfield would prevent Mr. Bingley 's being

there; and as to the loss of their society she was persuaded that

Jane must cease to regard it, in the enjoyment of his.

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