{{prxprp120.jpg}} || 120 PRIDE AND PREJUDICE ||

consequence: they may wish him to marry a girl who has all the

importance of money, great connections, and pride.'

'Beyond a doubt, they do wish him to chuse Miss Darcy,'

replied Jane; 'but this may be from better feelings than you arc

supposing. They have known her much longer than they have

known me; no wonder if they love her better. But, whatever

may be their own wishes, it is very unlikely they should have

opposed their brother's. What sister would think herself at

liberty to do it, unless there were something very objectionable?

If they believed him attached to me, they would not try to part

us; if he were so, they could not succeed. By supposing such an

affection, you make every body acting unnaturally and wrong,

and me most unhappy. Do not distress me by the idea. I am

not ashamed of having been mistaken -- or, at least, it is slight, it

is nothing in comparison of what I should feel in thinking ill of

him or his sisters. Let me take it in the best light, in the light

in which it may be understood.'

Elizabeth could not oppose such a wish; and from this

time Mr. Bingley's name was scarcely ever mentioned between

them.

Mrs. Bennet still continued to wonder and repine at his returning

no more, and though a day seldom passed in which Elizabeth

did not account for it clearly, there seemed little chance of her

ever considering it with less perplexity. Her daughter endea^

voured to convince her of what she did not believe herself, that

his attentions to Jane had been merely the effect of a common and

transient liking, which ceased when he saw her no more; but

though the probability of the statement was admitted at the

time, she had the same story to repeat every day. Mrs. Bennet's

best comfort was that Mr. Bingley must be down again in

the summer.

Mr. Bennet treated the matter differently. 'So, Lizzy,' said he

one day, 'your sister is crossed in love, I find. I congratulate

her. Next to being married, a girl likes to be crossed in love a

little now and then. It is something to think of, and gives her

a sort of distinction among her companions. When is your turn

to come J You will hardly bear to be long outdone by Jane,

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