{{prxprp301.jpg}} || PRIDE AND PREJUDICE 301 ||

visitor took his leave for the night; but as soon as he was gone, he

turned to his daughter and said,

'Jane, I congratulate you. You will be a very happy woman.'

Jane went to him instantly, kissed him, and thanked him for

his goodness.

'You are a good girl;' he replied, 'and I have great pleasure in

thinking you will be so happily settled. I have not a doubt of

your doing very well together. Your tempers are by no means

unlike. You are each of you so complying, that nothing will

ever be resolved on; so easy that every servant will cheat you; and

so generous, that you will always exceed your income.'

'I hope not so. Imprudence or thoughtlessness in money

matters would be unpardonable in me.'

'Exceed their income! My dear Mr. Bennet,' cried his wife,

'what are you talking of? Why, he has four or five thousand

a year, and very likely more.' Then addressing her daughter,

'Oh! my dear, dear Jane, I am so happy! I am sure I shan't get

a wink of sleep all night. I knew how it would be. I always

said it must be so, at last. I was sure you could not be so beautiful

for nothing! I remember, as soon as ever I saw him, when he

first came into Hertfordshire last year, I thought how likely it

was that you should come together. Oh! he is the handsomest

young man that ever was seen!'

Wickham, Lydia, were all forgotten. Jane was beyond

competition her favourite child. At that moment she cared for

no other. Her younger sisters soon began to make interest with

her for objects of happiness which she might in future be able to

dispense.

Mary petitioned for the use of the library at Netherfield; and

Kitty begged very hard for a few balls there every winter.

Bingley, from this time, was of course a daily visitor at Long'

bourn; coming frequently before breakfast, and always remaining

till after supper; unless when some barbarous neighbour, who

could not be enough detested, had given him an invitation to

dinner, which he thought himself obliged to accept.

Elizabeth had now but Little time for conversation with her

sister; for while he was present, Jane had no attention to bestow

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