第137章[第3页/共4页]

“Not at all. When I went away, I felt that it would soon happen.”

“Did you speak from your own observation,”said she,“when you told him that my sister loved him, or merely from my information last spring?”

“That is to say, you had given your permission. I guessed as much.”And though he exclaimed at the term,she found that it had been pretty much the case.

“Your surprise could not be greater than mine in being noticed by you.My conscience told me that I deserved no extraordinary politeness, and I confess that I did not expect to receive more than my due.”

“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.

She expressed her gratitude again, but it was too painful a subject to each,to be dwelt on farther.

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 reme