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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
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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 sha’nt 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 com…
petition 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
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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 unforgiving speech；’ said Elizabeth； ‘that I
ever heard you utter。 Good girl！ It would vex me； indeed； to see
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you again the dupe of Miss Bingley’s pretended regard。’
‘Would you believe it； Lizzy； that when he went to town last
November； he really loved me； and nothing but a persuasion of my
being indifferent； would have prevented his coming down again！’
‘He made a little mistake to be sure； but it is to the credit of his
modesty。’
This naturally introduced a panegyric from Jane on his
diffidence； and the little value he put on his own good qualities。
Elizabeth was pleased to find； that he had not betrayed the
interference of his friend； for； though Jane had the most generous
and forgiving heart in the world； she knew it was a circumstance
which must prejudice her against him。
‘I am certainly the most fortunate creature that ever existed！’
cried Jane。 ‘Oh！ Lizzy； why am I thus singled from my family； and
blessed above them all！ If I could but see you as happy！ If there
were but such another man for you！’
‘If you were to give me forty such men； I never could be so
happy as you。 Till I have your disposition； your goodness； I never
can have your happiness。 No； no； let me shift for