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required。’
‘We will go as far as Meryton with you；’ said Catherine and
Lydia。—Elizabeth accepted their company； and the three young
ladies set off together。
‘If we make haste；’ said Lydia； as they walked along； ‘perhaps
we may see something of Captain Carter before he goes。’
In Meryton they parted； the two youngest repaired to the
lodgings of one of the officers’ wives； and Elizabeth continued her
walk alone； crossing field after field at a quick pace； jumping over
stiles and springing over puddles with impatient activity； and
finding herself at last within view of the house； with weary ancles；
dirty stockings； and a face glowing with the warmth of exercise。
She was shewn into the breakfast…parlour； where all but Jane
were assembled； and where her appearance created a great deal of
surprise。—That she should have walked three miles so early in the
day； in such dirty weather； and by herself was almost incredible to
Mrs。 Hurst and Miss Bingley； and Elizabeth was convinced that
they held her in contempt for it。 She was received； however； very
politely by them； and in their brother’s manners there was
something better than politeness； there was good humour and
kindness。 Mr。 Darcy said very little； and Mr。 Hurst nothing at all。
The former was divided between admiration of the brilliancy
which exercise had given to her complexion； and doubt as to the
occasion’s justifying her coming so far alone。 The latter was
thinking only of his breakfast。
Her enquiries after her sister were not very favourably
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answered。 Miss Bennet had slept ill； and though up； was very
feverish and not well enough to leave her room。 Elizabeth was glad
to be taken to her immediately； and Jane； who had only been
withheld by the fear of giving alarm or inconvenience； from
expressing in her note how much she longed for such a visit； was
delighted at her entrance。 She was not equal； however； to much
conversation； and when Miss Bingley left them together； could
attempt little beside expressions of gratitude for the extraordinary
kindness she was treated with。 Elizabeth silently attended her。
When breakfast was over； they were joined by the sisters； and
Elizabeth began to like them herself； when she saw how much
affection and solicitude they shewed for Jane。 The apothecary
came； and having examined his patient； said； as might be
supposed； that she had caught a violent cold； and that they must
endeavour to get the better of it； advised her to return to bed； and
promised her some draughts。 The advice was followed readily； for
the feverish symptoms increased； and her head ached acutely。
Elizabeth did not quit her room for a moment； nor were the other
ladies often absent； the gentlemen being out； they had in fact
nothing to do elsewhere。
When the clock struck three； Elizabeth felt that she must go；
and very unwillingly said so。 Miss Bingley offered her the carriage；
and she only wanted a little pressing to accept it； when Jane
testified such concern in parting with her； that Miss Bingley was
obliged to convert the offer of the chaise into an invitation to
remain at Netherfield for the present。 Elizabeth most thankfully
consented； and a servant was dispatched to Longbourn to acquaint
the family with her stay； and bring back a supply of clothes。
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CHAPTER VIII
t five o’clock the two ladies retired to dress； and at half
Apast six Elizabeth was summoned to dinner。 To the civil
enquiries which then poured in； and amongst which she
had the pleasure of distinguishing the much superior solicitude of
Mr。 Bingley’s； she could not make a very favourable answer。 Jane
was by no means better。 The sisters； on hearing this； repeated
three or four times how much they were grieved； how shocking it
was to have a bad cold； and how excessively they disliked being ill
themselves； and then thought no more of the matter： and their
indifference towards Jane when not immediately before them；
restored Elizabeth to the enjoyment of all her original dislike。
Their brother； indeed； was the only one of the party whom she
could regard with any complacency。 His anxiety for Jane was
evident； and his attentions to herself most pleasing； and they
prevented her feeling herself so much an intruder as she believed
she was considered by the others。 She had very little notice from
any but him。 Miss Bingley was engrossed by Mr。 Darcy； her sister
scarcely less so； and as for Mr。 Hurst； by whom Elizabeth sat； he
was an indolent man； who lived only to eat； drink； and play at
cards； who when he found her prefer a plain dish to a ragout； had
nothing to say to her。
When dinner was over； she returned directly to Jane； and Miss
Bingley began abusing her as soon as she was out of the room。 Her
manners were pronounced to be very bad indeed； a mixture of
pride and impertinence； she had no conversation； no stile； no taste；
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no beauty。 Mrs。 Hurst thought the same； and added；
‘She has nothing； in short； to recommend her； but being an
excellent walker。 I shall never forget her appearance this morning。
She really looked almost wild。’
‘She did indeed； Louisa。 I could hardly keep my countenance。
Very nonsensical to come at all！ Why must she be scampering
about the country； because her sister had a cold？ Her hair so
untidy； so blowsy