{{prxprp129.jpg}} || PRIDE AND PREJUDICE 129 ||

their safe arrival in London; and when she wrote again Elizabeth

hoped it would be in her power to say something of the Bingleys.

Her impatience for this second letter was as well rewarded as

impatience generally is. Jane had been a week in town, without

either seeing or hearing from Caroline. She accounted for it,

however, by supposing that her last letter to her friend from

Longbourn, had by some accident been lost.

'My aunt,' she continued, 'is going to-morrow into that part

of the town, and I shall take the opportunity of calling in

Grosvcnor Street.'

She wrote again when the visit was paid, and she had seen

Miss Bingley. 'I did not think Caroline in spirits,' were her

words, 'but she was very glad to see me, and reproached me for

giving her no notice of my coming to London. I was right,

therefore; my last letter had never reached her. I inquired after

their brother, of course. He was well, but so much engaged

with Mr. Darcy that they scarcely ever saw him. I found that

Miss Darcy was expected to dinner. I wish I could see her.

My visit was not long, as Caroline and Mrs. Hurst were going

out. I dare say I shall soon sec them here.'

Elizabeth shook her head over this letter. It convinced her,

that accident only could discover to Mr. Bingley her sister's

being in town.

Four weeks passed away, and Jane saw nothing of him. She

endeavoured to persuade herself that she did not regret it; but

she could no longer be blind to Miss Bingley's inattention.

After waiting at home every morning for a fortnight, and inventing

every evening a fresh excuse for her, the visitor did at last appear;

but the shortness of her stay, and yet more, the alteration of her

manner, would allow Jane to deceive herself no longer. The

letter which she wrote on this occasion to her sister will prove

what she felt.

'My dearest Lizzy will, I am sure, be incapable of triumphing in

her better judgment, at my expense, when I confess myself to have

been entirely deceived in Miss Bingley's regard for me. But, my dear

sister, though the event has proved you right, do not think me obstinate

if I still assert, that, considering what her behaviour was, my confidence

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