第137章[第1页/共4页]

“I must ask whether you were surprised?”said Elizabeth.

Elizabeth longed to observe that Mr.Bingley had been a most delightful friend;so easily guided that his worth was invaluable;but she checked herself. She remembered that he had yet to learn to be laughed at, and it was rather too early to begin. In anticipating the happiness of Bingley,which of course was to be inferior only to his own,he continued the conversation till they reached the house.In the hall they parted.

“From the former.I had narrowly observed her during the two visits which I had lately made here;and I was convinced of her affection.”

“What could become of Mr. Bingley and Jane!”was a wonder which introduced the discussion of their affairs. Darcy was delighted with their engagement; his friend had given him the earliest information of it.

Elizabeth could not help smiling at his easy manner of directing his friend.

“No indeed;I felt nothing but surprise.”

He then told her of Georgiana's delight in her acquaintance,and of her disappointment at its sudden interruption;which naturally leading to the cause of that interruption,she soon learnt that his resolution of following her from Derbyshire in quest of her sister had been formed before he quitted the inn,and that his gravity and thoughtfulness there had arisen from no other struggles than what such a purpose must comprehend.