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Pemberley. But, perhaps, he could not in her mother's presence

be what he was before her uncle and aunt. It was a painful, but

not an improbable, conjecture.

Bingley she had likewise seen for an instant, and in that short

period saw him looking both pleased and embarrassed. He was

received by Mrs. Bennet with a degree of civility, which made

her two daughters ashamed, especially when contrasted with the

cold and ceremonious politeness of her curtsey and address of

his friend.

Elizabeth particularly, who knew that her mother owed to the

latter the preservation of her favourite daughter from irremediable

infamy, was hurt and distressed to a most painful degree by a

distinction so ill^-applied.

Darcy, after inquiring of her how Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner did,

a question which she could not answer without confusion,

said scarcely any thing. He was not seated by her; perhaps that

was the reason of his silence; but it had not been so in Derbyshire.

There he had talked to her friends, when he could not to herself.

But now several minutes elapsed, without bringing the sound of

his voice; and when occasionally, unable to resist the impulse

of curiosity, she raised her eyes to his face, she as often found him

looking at Jane, as at herself, and frequently on no object but the

ground. More thoughtfulness, and less anxiety to please than

when they last met, were plainly expressed. She was disappointed,

and angry with herself for being so.

'Could I expect it to be otherwise!' said she. 'Yet why did

he come?'

She was in no humour for conversation with any one but

himself; and to him she had hardly courage to speak.

She inquired after his sister, but could do no more.

'It is a long time, Mr. Bingley, since you went away,' said

Mrs. Bennet.

He readily agreed to it. 'I began to be afraid you would never

come back. People did say, you meant to quit the place entirely

at Michaelmas; but, however, I hope it h not true. A great

many changes have happened in the neighbourhood since you

went away. Miss Lucas is married and settled. And one of

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