{{prxprp225.jpg}} || PRIDE AND PREJUDICE 225 ||

The suspicions which had just arisen of Mr. Darcy and their

niece, directed their observation towards each with an earnest,

though guarded, inquiry; and they soon drew from those inquiries

the full conviction that one of them at least knew what it was to

love. Of the lady's sensations they remained a litde in doubt;

but that the gentleman was overflowing with admiration was

evident enough.

Elizabeth, on her side, had much to do. She wanted to ascer^

tain the feelings of each of her visitors, she wanted to compose

her own, and to make herself agreeable to all; and in the latter

object, where she feared most to fail, she was most sure of success,

for those to whom she endeavoured to give pleasure were pre

possessed in her favour. Bingley was ready, Georgiana was eager,

and Darcy determined, to be pleased.

In seeing Bingley, her thoughts naturally flew to her sister; and

oh! how ardently did she long to know, whether any of his were

directed in a like manner. Sometimes she could fancy that he

talked less than on former occasions, and once or twice pleased

herself with the notion that as he looked at her, he was trying

to trace a resemblance. But, though this might be imaginary,

she could not be deceived as to his behaviour to Miss Darcy, who

had been set up as a rival to Jane. No look appeared on either

side that spoke particular regard. Nothing occurred between

them that could justify the hopes of his sister. On this point

she was soon satisfied; and two or three little circumstances

occurred ere they parted, which, in her anxious interpretation,

denoted a recollection of Jane, not untinctured by tenderness, and

a wish of saying more that might lead to the mention of her, had

he dared. He observed to her, at a moment when the others were

talking together, and in a tone which had something of real

regret, that it 'was a very long time since he had had the pleasure

of seeing her;' and, before she could reply, he added, 'It is above

eight months. We have not met since the 26th of November;

when we were all dancing together at Netherfield.'

Elizabeth was pleased to find his memory so exact; and he

afterwards took occasion to ask her, when unattended to by any

of the rest, whether all her sisters were at Longbourn. There

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