{{prxprp117.jpg}} || PRIDE AND PREJUDICE 117 ||

of all this, heard it in silent indignation. Her heart was divided

between concern for her sister, and resentment against all others.

To Caroline's assertion of her brother's being partial to Miss

Darcy she paid no credit. That he was really fond of Jane, she

doubted no more than she had ever done; and much as she had

always been disposed to like him, she could not think without

anger, hardly without contempt, on that easiness of temper, that

want of proper resolution, which now made him the slave of his

designing friends, and led him to sacrifice his own happiness to

the caprice of their inclinations. Had his own happiness, how

ever, been the only sacrifice, he might have been allowed to

sport with it in whatever manner he thought best, but her sister's

was involved in it, as she thought he must be sensible himself.

It was a subject, in short, on which reflection would be long

indulged, and must be unavailing. She could think of nothing

else; and yet whether Bingley's regard had really died away, or

were suppressed by his friends' interference; whether he had been

aware of Jane's attachment, or whether it had escaped his observa^

tion; whatever were the case, though her opinion of him must

be materially affected by the difference, her sister's situation

remained the same, her peace equally wounded.

A day or two passed before Jane had courage to speak of her

feelings to Elizabeth; but at last on Mrs. Bennet's leaving them

together, after a longer irritation than usual about Nctherfield

and its master, she could not help saying,

'Oh! that my dear mother had more command over herself;

she can have no idea of the pain she gives me by her continual

reflections on him. But I will not repine. It cannot last long.

He will be forgot, and we shall all be as we were before.'

Elizabeth looked at her sister with incredulous solicitude, but

said nothing.

'You doubt me,' cried Jane, slightly colouring; 'indeed you

have no reason. He may live in my memory as the most amiable

man of my acquaintance, but that is all. I have nothing either

to hope or fear, and nothing to reproach him with. Thank God!

I have not that pain. A little time therefore -- I shall certainly try

to get the better' --

 [[117]]