{{prxprp298.jpg}} || 298 PRIDE AND PREJUDICE ||

able time, without making any impression on them. Elizabeth

would not observe her; and when at last Kitty did, she very

innocently said, 'What is the matter, mamma; What do you

keep winking at me for? What am I to do?'

'Nothing, child, nothing. I did not wink at you.' She then

sat still five minutes longer; but, unable to waste such a precious

occasion, she suddenly got up, and saying to Kitty,

'Come here, my love, I want to speak to you,' took her out of

the room. Jane instantly gave a look at Elizabeth, which spoke

her distress at such premeditation, and her entreaty that she would

not give in to it. In a few minutes, Mrs. Bennet half opened the

door, and called out,

'Lizzy, my dear, I want to speak with you.'

Elizabeth was forced to go.

'We may as well leave them by themselves, you know;' said

her mother as soon as she was in the halL 'Kitty and I are going

up stairs to sit in my dressing room.'

Elizabeth made no attempt to reason with her mother, but

remained quietly in the hall till she and Kitty were out of sight,

then returned into the drawing room.

Mrs. Bennet's schemes for this day were ineffectual. Bingley

was every thing that was charming, except the professed lover of

her daughter. His ease and cheerfulness rendered him a most

agreeable addition to their evening party; and he bore with the

ill-judged officiousness of the mother, and heard all her silly

remarks with a forbearance and command of countenance,

particularly grateful to the daughter.

He scarcely needed an invitation to stay supper; and before he

went away, an engagement was formed, chiefly through his own

and Mrs. Bennet's means, for his coming next morning to shoot

with her husband.

After this day, Jane said no more of her indifference. Not a

word passed between the sisters concerning Bingley; but Elizabeth

went to bed in the happy belief that all must speedily be concluded,

unless Mr. Darcy returned within the stated time. Seriously,

however, she felt tolerably persuaded that all this must have taken

place with that gentleman's concurrence.

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