第122章[第1页/共5页]

The subject which had been so warmly canvassed between their parents, about a twelvemonth ago, was now brought forward again.

His wife represented to him how absolutely necessary such an attention would be from all the neighbouring gentlemen,on his returning to Netherfield.

The loss of her daughter made Mrs.Bennet very dull for several days.

Mr.Wickham's adieus were much more affectionate than his wife's.He smiled,looked handsome,and said many pretty things.

Consoled by this resolution,she was the better able to bear her husband's incivility;though it was very mortifying to know that her neighbours might all see Mr. Bingley, in consequence of it, before they did.As the day of his arrival drew near:

“You may depend on it,”replied the other,“for Mrs.Nicholls 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 certain 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.”

In spite of what her sister declared,and really believed to be her feelings in the expectation of his arrival, Elizabeth could easily perceive that her spirits were affected by it.They were more disturbed,more unequal,than she had often seen them.