{{prxprp203.jpg}} || PRIDE AND PREJUDICE 203 ||

agitation was pretty well over; the agitations of former partiality

entirely so. She had even learnt to detect, in the very gentleness

which had first delighted her, an affectation and a sameness to

disgust and weary. In his present behaviour to herself, moreover,

she had a fresh source of displeasure, for the inclination he soon

testified of renewing those attentions which had marked the early

part of their acquaintance, could only serve, after what had since

passed, to provoke her. She lost all concern for him in finding

herself thus selected as the object of such idle and frivolous

gallantry; and while she steadily repressed it, could not but feel

the reproof contained in his believing, that however long, and

for whatever cause, his attentions had been withdrawn, her vanity

would be gratified, and her preference secured at any time by

their renewal.

On the very last day of the regiment's remaining in Meryton,

he dined, with others of the officers, at Longbourn; and so little

was Elizabeth disposed to part from him in good humour, that

on his making some inquiry as to the manner in which her time

had passed at Hunsford, she mentioned Colonel Fitzwilliam's

and Mr. Darcy's having both spent three weeks at Rosings, and

asked him if he was acquainted with the former.

He looked surprized, displeased, alarmed; but with a

moment's recollection and a returning smile, replied, that he

had formerly seen him often; and, after observing that he was a

very gentlemanlike man, asked her how she had liked him.

Her answer was warmly in his favour. With an air of in-*

difference he soon afterwards added, 'How long did you say that

he was at Rosings I*

'Nearly three weeks.'

'And you saw him frequently 5*

'Yes, almost every day.'

'His manners are very different from his cousin's.'

'Yes, very different. But I think Mr. Darcy improves on

acquaintance.'

'Indeed!' cried Wickham, with a look which did not escape

her. 'And pray, may I ask;' -- but checking himself, he

added, in a gayer tone, 'Is it in address that he improves? Has

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