“Certainly, my dear, nobody said there were; but as to not meeting with many people in this neighbourhood,I believe there are few neighbourhoods larger. I know we dine with four-and-twenty families.”
Nothing but concern for Elizabeth could enable Bingley to keep his countenance.His sister was less delicate,and directed her eyes towards Mr.Darcy with a very expressive smile.Elizabeth,for the sake of saying something that might turn her mother's thoughts, now asked her if Charlotte Lucas had been at Longbourn since her coming away.
“Yes, she called yesterday with her father.What an agreeable man Sir William is,Mr.Bingley,is not he?So much the man of fashion!So genteel and easy!He had always something to say to everybody.That is my idea of good breeding;and those persons who fancy themselves very important, and never open their mouths,quite mistake the matter.”
“Did Charlotte dine with you?”
“No, she would go home. I fancy she was wanted about the mince-pies. For my part, Mr. Bingley, I always keep servants that can do their own work; my daughters are brought up very differently. But everybody is to judge for themselves, and the Lucases are a very good sort of girls,I assure you.It is a pity they are not handsome!Not that I think Charlotte so very plain—but then she is our particular friend.”
“She seems a very pleasant young woman.”said Bingley.
“Oh!dear,yes;but you must own she is very plain.Lady Lucas herself has often said so, and envied me Jane's beauty. I do not like to boast of my own child,but to be sure,Jane—one does not often see anybody better looking.It is what everybody says.I do not trust my own partiality.When she was only fifteen,there was a man at my brother Gardiner's in town so much in love with her that my sister-in-law was sure he would make her an offer before we came away.But,however,he did not.Perhaps he thought her too young.However,he wrote some verses on her,and very pretty they were.”
“And so ended his affection,”said Elizabeth impatiently.“There has been many a one,I fancy,overcome in the same way.I wonder who first discovered the efficacy of poetry in driving away love!”
“I have been used to consider poetry as the food of love,”said Darcy.
“Of a fine,stout,healthy love it may.Everything nourishes what is strong already.But if it be only a slight,thin sort of inclination, I am convinced that one good sonnet will starve it entirely away.”
Darcy only smiled; and the general pause which ensued made Elizabeth tremble lest her mother should be exposing herself again.She longed to speak,but could think of nothing to say;and after a short silence Mrs.Bennet began repeating her thanks to Mr.Bingley for his kindness to Jane,with an apology for troubling him also with Lizzy. Mr. Bingley was unaffectedly civil in his answer,and forced his younger sister to be civil also,and say what the occasion required. She performed her part indeed without much graciousness, but Mrs. Bennet was satisfied, and soon afterwards ordered her carriage. Upon this signal, the youngest of her daughters put herself forward.The two girls had been whispering to each other during the whole visit, and the result of it was, that the youngest should tax Mr.Bingley with having promised on his first coming into the country to give a ball at Netherfield.
Lydia was a stout, well-grown girl of fifteen, with a fine complexion and good-humoured countenance; a favourite with her mother, whose affection had brought her into public at an early age.She had high animal spirits,and a sort of natural self-consequence, which the attention of the officers, to whom her uncle's good dinners, and her own easy manners recommended her,had increased into assurance.She was very equal,therefore, to address Mr. Bingley on the subject of the ball, and abruptly reminded him of his promise;adding,that it would be the most shameful thing in the world if he did not keep it.His answer to this sudden attack was delightful to their mother's ear:
“I am perfectly ready,I assure you,to keep my engagement;and when your sister is recovered,you shall,if you please,name the very day of the ball.But you would not wish to be dancing when she is ill.”
Lydia declared herself satisfied.“Oh! yes—it would be much better to wait till Jane was well, and by that time most likely Captain Carter would be at Meryton again.And when you have given your ball,”she added,“I shall insist on their giving one also. I shall tell Colonel Forster it will be quite a shame if he does not.”
Mrs. Bennet and her daughters then departed, and Elizabeth returned instantly to Jane, leaving her own and her relations' behaviour to the remarks of the two ladies and Mr. Darcy; the latter of whom,however,could not be prevailed on to join in their censure of her,in spite of all Miss Bingley's witticisms on fine eyes.
