第124章[第3页/共5页]

Elizabeth, who knew this to be levelled at Mr. Darcy, was in such misery of shame,that she could hardly keep her seat.It drew from her,however,the exertion of speaking,which nothing else had so effectually done before;and she asked Bingley whether he meant to make any stay in the country at present.A few weeks,he believed.

Mrs. Bennet had been strongly inclined to ask them to stay and dine there that day;but,though she always kept a very good table,she did not think anything less than two courses could be good enough for a man on whom she had such anxious designs,or satisfy the appetite and pride of one who had ten thousand a year.

She was in no humour for conversation with anyone but himself;and to him she had hardly courage to speak.

“Could I expect it to be otherwise!”said she.“Yet why did he come?”

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

Bingley replied that he did, and made his congratulations. Elizabeth dared not lift up her eyes. How Mr. Darcy looked, therefore,she could not tell.

When the gentlemen rose to go away,Mrs.Bennet was mindful of her intended civility,and they were invited and engaged to dine at Longbourn in a few days time.