{{prxprp285.jpg}} || PRIDE AND PREJUDICE 285 ||

so far off. If that had been nearer, she would not have gone

so soon.'

But the spiritless condition which this event threw her into, was

shortly relieved, and her mind opened again to the agitation of

hope, by an article of news, which then began to be in circulation.

The housekeeper at Nethcrfield had received orders to prepare

for the arrival of her master, who was coming down in a day or

two, to shoot there for several weeks. Mrs. Bennet was quite in

the fidgets. She looked at Jane, and smiled, and shook her

head by turns.

'Well, well, and so Mr. Bingley is coming down, sister' (for

Mrs. Philips first brought the news.) 'Well, so much the better.

Not that I care about it, though. He is nothing to us, you know,

and I am sure I never want to see him again. But, however, he

is very welcome to come to Netherficld, if he likes it. And who

knows what may happen J But that is nothing to us. You know,

sister, we agreed long ago never to mention a word about it.

And so, is it quite certain he is coming;'

'You may depend on it,' replied the other, 'for Mrs. Nichols

was in Meryton last night; I saw her passing by, and went out

myself on purpose to know the truth of it; and she told me that

it was certainly true. He comes down on Thursday, at the latest,

very likely on Wednesday. She was going to the butcher's, she

told me, on purpose to order in some meat on Wednesday, and

she has got three couple of ducks just fit to be killed.'

Miss Bennet had not been able to hear of his coming, without

changing colour. It was many months since she had mentioned

his name to Elizabeth; but now, as soon as they were alone

together, she said,

T saw you look at me to-day, Lizzy, when my aunt told us of

the present report; and I know I appeared distressed; but don't

imagine it was from any silly cause. I was only confused for

the moment, because I felt that I should be looked at. I do assure

you that the news does not affect me either with pleasure or pain.

I am glad of one thing, that he comes alone; because we shall

see the less of him. Not that I am afraid of myself, but I dread

other people's remarks.' ^

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