c13-第1章

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Chapter　XIII　of　Volume　III　（Chap。　55）
　A　FEW　days　after　this　visit；　Mr。　Bingley　called　again；　and　alone。　His　friend　had　left　him　that　morning　for　London；　but　was　to　return　home　in　ten　days　time。　He　sat　with　them　above　an　hour；　and　was　in　remarkably　good　spirits。　Mrs。　Bennet　invited　him　to　dine　with　them；　but；　with　many　expressions　of　concern；　he　confessed　himself　engaged　elsewhere。
‘‘Next　time　you　call；''　said　she；　‘‘I　hope　we　shall　be　more　lucky。''
He　should　be　particularly　happy　at　any　time；　&c。　&c。；　and　if　she　would　give　him　leave；　would　take　an　early　opportunity　of　waiting　on　them。
‘‘Can　you　come　to…morrow？''
Yes；　he　had　no　engagement　at　all　for　to…morrow；　and　her　invitation　was　accepted　with　alacrity。
He　came；　and　in　such　very　good　time　that　the　ladies　were　none　of　them　dressed。　In　ran　Mrs。　Bennet　to　her　daughter's　room；　in　her　dressing　gown；　and　with　her　hair　half　finished；　crying　out；
‘‘My　dear　Jane；　make　haste　and　hurry　down。　He　is　come　　Mr。　Bingley　is　come。　　He　is；　indeed。　Make　haste；　make　haste。　Here；　Sarah；　come　to　Miss　Bennet　this　moment；　and　help　her　on　with　her　gown。　Never　mind　Miss　Lizzy's　hair。''
‘‘We　will　be　down　as　soon　as　we　can；''　said　Jane；　‘‘but　I　dare　say　Kitty　is　forwarder　than　either　of　us；　for　she　went　up　stairs　half　an　hour　ago。''
‘‘Oh！　hang　Kitty！　what　has　she　to　do　with　it？　Come　be　quick；　be　quick！　Where　is　your　sash；　my　dear？''
But　when　her　mother　was　gone；　Jane　would　not　be　prevailed　on　to　go　down　without　one　of　her　sisters。
The　same　anxiety　to　get　them　by　themselves　was　visible　again　in　the　evening。　After　tea；　Mr。　Bennet　retired　to　the　library；　as　was　his　custom；　and　Mary　went　up　stairs　to　her　instrument。　Two　obstacles　of　the　five　being　thus　removed；　Mrs。　Bennet　sat　looking　and　winking　at　Elizabeth　and　Catherine　for　a　considerable　time；　without　making　any　impression　on　them。　Elizabeth　would　not　observe　her；　and　when　at　last　Kitty　did；　she　very　innocently　said；　‘‘What　is　the　matter　mamma？　What　do　you　keep　winking　at　me　for？　What　am　I　to　do？''
‘‘Nothing　child；　nothing。　I　did　not　wink　at　you。''　She　then　sat　still　five　minutes　longer；　but　unable　to　waste　such　a　precious　occasion；　she　suddenly　got　up；　and　saying　to　Kitty；　‘‘Come　here；　my　love；　I　want　to　speak　to　you；''　took　her　out　of　the　room。　Jane　instantly　gave　a　look　at　Elizabeth　which　spoke　her　distress　at　such　premeditation；　and　her　intreaty　that　she　would　not　give　in　to　it。　In　a　few　minutes；　Mrs。　Bennet　half…opened　the　door　and　called　out；
‘‘Lizzy；　my　dear；　I　want　to　speak　with　you。''
Elizabeth　was　forced　to　go。
‘‘We　may　as　well　leave　them　by　themselves　you　know；''　said　her　mother；　as　soon　as　she　was　in　the　hall。　‘‘Kitty　and　I　are　going　up　stairs　to　sit　in　my　dressing　room。''
Elizabeth　made　no　attempt　to　reason　with　her　mother；　but　remained　quietly　in　the　hall；　till　she　and　Kitty　were　out　of　sight；　then　returned　into　the　drawing　room。
Mrs。　Bennet's　schemes　for　this　day　were　ineffectual。　Bingley　was　every　thing　that　was　charming；　except　the　professed　lover　of　her　daughter。　His　ease　and　cheerfulness　rendered　him　a　most　agreeable　addition　to　their　evening　party；　and　he　bore　with　the　ill…judged　officiousness　of　the　mother；　and　heard　all　her　silly　remarks　with　a　forbearance　and　command　of　countenance　particularly　grateful　to　the　daughter。
He　scarcely　needed　an　invitation　to　stay　supper；　and　before　he　went　away；　an　engagement　was　formed；　chiefly　through　his　own　and　Mrs。　Bennet's　means；　for　his　coming　next　morning　to　shoot　with　her　husband。
After　this　day；　Jane　said　no　more　of　her　indifference。　Not　a　word　passed　between　the　sisters　concerning　Bingley；　but　Elizabeth　went　to　bed　in　the　happy　belief　that　all　must　speedily　be　concluded；　unless　Mr。　Darcy　returned　within　the　stated　time。　Seriously；　however；　she　felt　tolerably　persuaded　that　all　this　must　have　taken　place　with　that　gentleman's　concurrence。
Bingley　was　punctual　to　his　appointment；　and　he　and　Mr。　Bennet　spent　the　morning　together；　as　had　been　agreed　on。　The　latter　was　much　more　agreeable　than　his　companion　expected。　There　was　nothing　of　presumption　or　folly　in　Bingley　that　could　provoke　his　ridicule；　or　disgust　him　into　silence；　and　he　was　more　communicative；　and　less　eccentric；　than　the　other　had　ever　seen　him。　Bingley　of　course　returned　with　him　to　dinner；　and　in　the　evening　Mrs。　Bennet's　invention　was　again　at　work　to　get　every　body　away　from　him　and　her　daughter。　Elizabeth；　who　had　a　letter　to　write；　went　into　the　breakfast　room　for　that　purpose　soon　after　tea；　for　as　the　others　were　all　going　to　sit　down　to　cards；　she　could　not　be　wanted　to　counteract　her　mother's　schemes。
But　on　returning　to　the　drawing　room；　when　her　letter　was　finished；　she　saw；　to　her　infinite　surprise；　there　was　reason　to　fear　that　her　mother　had　been　too　ingenious　for　her。　On　opening　the　door；　she　perceived　her　sister　and　Bingley　standing　together　over　the　hearth；　as　if　engaged　in　earnest　conversation；　and　had　this　led　to　no　suspicion；　the　faces　of　both；　as　they　hastily　turned　round　and　moved　away　from　each　other；　would　have　told　it　all。　Their　situation　was　awkward　enough；　but　her's　she　thought　was　still　worse。　Not　a　syllable　was　uttered　by　either；　and　Elizabeth　was　on　the　point　of　going　away　again；　when　Bingley；　who　as　well　as　the　other　had　sat　down；　suddenly　rose；　and　whispering　a　few　words　to　her　sister；　ran　out　of　the　room。
Jane　could　have　no　reserves　from　Elizabeth；　where　confidence　would　give　pleasure；　and　instantly　embracing　her；　acknowledged；　with　the　liveliest　emotion；　that　she　was　the　happiest　creature　in　the　world。
‘‘'Tis　too　much！''　she　added；　‘‘by　far　too　much。　I　do　not　deserve　it。　Oh！　why　is　not　every　body　as　happy？''
Elizabeth's　congratulations　were　given　with　a　sincerity；　a　warmth；　a　delight；　which　words　could　but　poorly　express。　Every　sentence　of　kindness　was　a　fresh　source　of　happiness　to　Jane。　But　she　would　not　allow　herself　to　stay　with　her　sister；　or　say　half　that　remained　to　be　said　for　the　present。
‘‘I　must　go　instantly　to　my　mother；''　she　cried。　‘‘I　would　not　on　any　account　trifle　with　her　affectionate　solicitude；　or　allow　her　to　hear　it　from　any　one　but　myself。　He　is　gone　to　my　father　already。　Oh！　Lizzy；　to　know　that　what　I　have　to　relate　will　give　such　pleasure　to　all　my　dear　family！　how　shall　I　bear　so　much　happiness！''
She　then　hastened　away　to　her　mother；　who　had　purposely　broken　up　the　card　party；　and　was　sitting　up　stairs　with　Kitty。
Elizabeth；　who　was　left　by　herself；　now　smiled　at　the　rapidity　and　ease　with　which　an　affair　was　finally　settled；　that　had　given　them　so　many　previous　months　of　suspense　and　vexation。
‘‘And　this；''　said　she；　‘‘is　the　end　of　all　his　friend's　anxious　circumspection！　of　all　his　sister's　falsehood　and　contrivance！　the　happiest；　wisest；　most　reasonable　end！''
In　a　few　minutes　she　was　joined　by　Bingley；　whose　conference　with　her　father　had　been　short　and　to　the　purpose。
‘‘Where　is　your　sister？''　said　he　hastily；　as　he　opened　the　door。
‘‘With　my　mother　up　stairs。　She　will　be　down　in　a　moment；　I　dare　say。''
He　then　shut　the　door；　and；　coming　up　to　her；　claimed　the　good　wishes　and　affection　of　a　sister。　Elizabeth　honestly　and　heartily　expressed　her　delight　in　the　prospect　of　their　relationship。　They　shook　hands　with　great　cordiality；　and　then；　till　her　sister　came　down；　she　had　to　listen　to　all　he　had　to　say　of　his　own　happiness；　and　of　Jane's　perfections；　and　in　spite　of　his　being　a　lover；　Elizabeth　really　believed　all　his　expectations　of　felicity　to　be　rationally　founded；　because　they　had　for　basis　the　excellent　understanding；　and　super…excellent　disposition　of　Jane；　and　a　general　similarity　of　feeling　and　taste　between　her　and　himself。
It　was　an　evening　of　no　common　delight　to　them　all；　the　satisfaction　of　Miss　Bennet's　mind　gave　a　glow　of　such　sweet　animation　to　her　face；　as　made　her　look　handsomer　than　ever。　Kitty　simpered　and　smiled；　and　hoped　her　turn　was　coming　soon。　Mrs。　Bennet　could　not　give　her　consent　or　speak　her　approbation　in　terms　warm　enough　to　satisfy　her　feelings；　though　she　talked　to　Bingley　of　nothing　else　for　half　an　hour；　and　when　Mr。　Bennet　joined　them　at　supper；　his　voice　and　manner　plainly　shewed　how　really　happy　he　was。
Not　a　word；　however；　passed　his　lips　in　allusion　to　it；　till　their　visitor　took　his　leave　for　the　night；　but　as　soon　as　he　was　gone；　he　turned　to　his　daughter；　and　said；
‘‘Jane；　I　congratulate　you。　You　will　be　a　very　happy　woman。''
Jane　went　to　him　instantly；　kissed　him；　and　thanked　him　for　his　goodness。
‘‘You　are　a　good　girl；''　he　replied；　‘‘and　I　have　great　pleasure　in　thinking　you　will　be　so　happily　settled。　I　have　not　a　doubt　of　your　doing　very　well　together。　Your　tempers　are　by　no　means　unlike。　You　are　each　of　you　so　complying；　that　nothing　will　ever　be　resolved　on；　so　easy；　that　every　servant　will　cheat　you；　and　so　generous；　that　you　will　always　exceed　your　income。''
‘‘I　hope　not　so。　Imprudence　or　thoughtlessness　in　money　matters　would　be　unpardonable　in　me。''
‘‘Exceed　their　income！　My　dear　Mr。　Bennet；''　cried　his　wife；　‘‘what　are　you　talking　of？　Why；　he　has　four　or　five　thousand　a　year；　and　very　likely　more。''　Then　addressing　her　daughter；　‘‘Oh！　my　dear；　dear　Jane；　I　am　so　happy！　I　am　sure　I　shan't　get　a　wink　of　sleep　all　night。　I　knew　how　it　would　be。　I　always　said　it　must　be　so；　at　last。　I　was　sure　you　could　not　be　so　beautiful　for　nothing！　I　remember；　as　soon　as　ever　I　saw　him；　when　he　first　came　into　Hertfordshire　last　year；　I　thought　how　likely　it　was　that　you　should　come　together。　Oh！　he　is　the　handsomest　young　man　that　ever　was　seen！''
Wickham；　Lydia；　were　all　forgotten。　Jane　was　beyond　competition　her　favourite　child。　At　that　moment；　she　cared　for　no　other。　Her　younger　sisters　soon　began　to　make　interest　with　her　for　objects　of　happiness　which　she　might　in　future　be　able　to　dispense。
Mary　petitioned　for　the　use　of　the　library　at　Netherfield；　and　Kitty　begged　very　hard　for　a　few　balls　there　every　winter。
Bingley；　from　this　time；　was　of　course　a　daily　visitor　at　Longbourn；　coming　frequently　before　breakfast；　and　always　remaining　till　after　supper；　unless　when　some　barbarous　neighbour；　who　could　not　be　enough　detested；　had　given　him　an　invitation　to　dinner　which　he　thought　himself　obliged　to　accept。
Elizabeth　had　now　but　little　time　for　conversation　with　her　sister；　for　while　he　was　present；　Jane　had　no　attention　to　bestow　on　any　one　else；　but　she　found　herself　considerably　useful　to　both　of　them　in　those　hours　of　separation　that　must　sometimes　occur。　In　the　absence　of　Jane；　he　always　attached　himself　to　Elizabeth；　for　the　pleasure　of　talking　of　her；　and　when　Bingley　was　gone；　Jane　constantly　sought　the　same　means　of　relief。
‘‘He　has　made　me　so　happy；''　said　she；　one　evening；　‘‘by　telling　me　that　he　was　totally　ignorant　of　my　being　in　town　last　spring！　I　had　not　believed　it　possible。''
‘‘I　suspected　as　much；''　replied　Elizabeth。　‘‘But　how　did　he　account　for　it？''
‘‘It　must　have　been　his　sister's　doing。　They　were　certainly　no　friends　to　his　acquaintance　with　me；　which　I　cannot　wonder　at；　since　he　might　have　chosen　so　much　more　advantageously　in　many　respects。　But　when　they　see；　as　I　trust　they　will；　that　their　brother　is　happy　with　me；　they　will　learn　to　be　contented；　and　we　shall　be　on　good　terms　again；　though　we　can　never　be　what　we　once　were　to　each　other。''
‘‘That　is　the　most　unfo