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favour unworthily。 It was really a very handsome thought。 Upon
the whole； I am much pleased with him。’
As Elizabeth had no longer any interest of her own to pursue；
she turned her attention almost entirely on her sister and Mr。
Bingley； and the train of agreeable reflections which her
observations gave birth to； made her perhaps almost as happy as
Jane。 She saw her in idea settled in that very house in all the
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felicity which a marriage of true affection could bestow； and she
felt capable under such circumstances； of endeavouring even to
like Bingley’s two sisters。 Her mother’s thoughts she plainly saw
were bent the same way； and she determined not to venture near
her； lest she might hear too much。 When they sat down to supper；
therefore； she considered it a most unlucky perverseness which
placed them within one of each other； and deeply was she vexed to
find that her mother was talking to that one person （Lady Lucas）
freely； openly； and of nothing else but of her expectation that Jane
would be soon married to Mr Bingley。 It was an animating subject；
and Mrs。 Bennet seemed incapable of fatigue while enumerating
the advantages of the match。 His being such a charming young
man； and so rich； and living but three miles from them； were the
first points of self…gratulation； and then it was such a comfort to
think how fond the two sisters were of Jane； and to be certain that
they must desire the connection as much as she could do。 It was；
moreover； such a promising thing for her younger daughters； as
Jane’s marrying so greatly must throw them in the way of other
rich men； and lastly； it was so pleasant at her time of life to be able
to consign her single daughters to the care of their sister； that she
might not be obliged to go into company more than she liked。 It
was necessary to make this circumstance a matter of pleasure；
because on such occasions it is the etiquette； but no one was less
likely than Mrs。 Bennet to find comfort in staying at home at any
period of her life。 She concluded with many good wishes that Lady
Lucas might soon be equally fortunate； though evidently and
triumphantly believing there was no chance of it。
In vain did Elizabeth endeavour to check the rapidity of her
mother’s words； or persuade her to describe her felicity in a less
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audible whisper； for to her inexpressible vexation； she could
perceive that the chief of it was overheard by Mr。 Darcy； who sat
opposite to them。 Her mother only scolded her for being
nonsensical。
‘What is Mr。 Darcy to me； pray； that I should be afraid of him？ I
am sure we owe him no such particular civility as to be obliged to
say nothing he may not like to hear。’
‘For heaven’s sake； madam； speak lower。 What advantage can it
be to you to offend Mr。 Darcy？—You will never recommend
yourself to his friend by so doing。’
Nothing that she could say； however； had any influence。 Her
mother would talk of her views in the same intelligible tone。
Elizabeth blushed and blushed again with shame and vexation。
She could not help frequently glancing her eye at Mr。 Darcy；
though every glance convinced her of what she dreaded； for
though he was not always looking at her mother； she was
convinced that his attention was invariably fixed by her。 The
expression of his face changed gradually from indignant contempt
to a composed and steady gravity。
At length however Mrs。 Bennet had no more to say； and Lady
Lucas； who had been long yawning at the repetition of delights
which she saw no likelihood of sharing； was left to the comforts of
cold ham and chicken。 Elizabeth now began to revive。 But not long
was the interval of tranquillity； for when supper was over； singing
was talked of； and she had the mortification of seeing Mary； after
very little entreaty； preparing to oblige the company。 By many
significant looks and silent entreaties； did she endeavour to
prevent such a proof of complaisance；—but in vain； Mary would
not understand them； such an opportunity of exhibiting was
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delightful to her； and she began her song。 Elizabeth’s eyes were
fixed on her with most painful sensations； and she watched her
progress through the several stanzas with an impatience which
was very ill rewarded at their close； for Mary； on receiving amongst
the thanks of the table； the hint of a hope that she might be pre…
vailed on to favour them again； after the pause of half a minute
began another。 Mary’s powers were by no means fitted for such a
display； her voice was weak； and her manner affected。—Elizabeth
was in agonies。 She looked at Jane； to see how she bore it； but Jane
was very composedly talking to Bingley。 She looked at his two
sisters； and saw them making signs of derision at each other； and
at Darcy； who continued however impenetrably grave。 She looked
at her father to entreat his interference； lest Mary should be
singing all night。 He took the hint； and when Mary had finished her
second song； said aloud；
‘That will do extremely well； child。 You have delighted us long
enough。 Let the other young ladies have time to exhibit。’
Mary； though pretending not to hear； was somewhat
disconcerted； and Elizabeth sorry for her； and sorry for her father’s
speech； was afraid her anxiety had done no good。—Others of the
party were now applied to。
‘If I；’ said Mr。