{{prxprp297.jpg}} || PRIDE AND PREJUDICE 297 ||

Chapter LV

A few days after this visit, Mr. Bingley called again, and alone.

His friend had left him that morning for London, but was to

return home in ten days time. He sat with them above an hour,

and was in remarkably good spirits. Mrs. Bennet invited him to

dine with them; but, with many expressions of concern, he

confessed himself engaged elsewhere.

'Next time you call,' said she, 'I hope we shall be more lucky.'

'He should be particularly happy at any time, etc. etc; and if

she would give him leave, would take an early opportunity of

waiting on them.'

'Can you come to-morrow i*

'Yes, he had no engagement at all for to-morrow; and her

invitation was accepted with alacrity.

He came, and in such very good time, that the ladies were none

of them dressed. In ran Mrs. Bennet to her daughter's room, in

her dressing-gown, and with her hair half finished, crying out,

'My dear Jane, make haste and hurry down. He is come --

Mr. Bingley is come. -- He is indeed. Make haste, make haste.

Here, Sarah, come to Miss Bennet this moment, and help her on

with her gown. Never mind Miss Lizzy's hair.'

'We will be down as soon as we can,' said Jane; 'but I dare

say Kitty is forwarder than either of us, for she went up stairs half

an hour ago.'

'Oh! hang Kitty! what has she to do with it? Come, be

quick, be quick! where is your sash, my dear;'-*

But when her mother was gone, Jane would not be prevailed

on to go down without one of her sisters.

The same anxiety to get [them] by themselves, was visible

again in the evening. After tea, Mr. Bennet retired to the library,

as was his custom, and Mary went up stairs to her instrument.

Two obstacles of the five being thus removed, Mrs. Bennet sat

looking and winking at Elizabeth and Catherine for a consider^

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