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imagine。’
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‘I am far from attributing any part of Mr。 Bingley’s conduct to
design；’ said Elizabeth； ‘but without scheming to do wrong； or to
make others unhappy； there may be error； and there may be
misery。 Thoughtlessness； want of attention to other people’s
feelings； and want of resolution； will do the business。’
‘And do you impute it to either of those？’
‘Yes； to the last。 But if I go on； I shall displease you by saying
what I think of persons you esteem。 Stop me whilst you can。’
‘You persist； then； in supposing his sisters influence him。’
‘Yes； in conjunction with his friend。’
‘I cannot believe it。 Why should they try to influence him？ They
can only wish his happiness； and if he is attached to me； no other
woman can secure it。’
‘Your first position is false。 They may wish many things besides
his happiness； they may wish his increase of wealth and
consequence； they may wish him to marry a girl who has all the
importance of money； great connections； and pride。’
‘Beyond a doubt； they do wish him to chuse Miss Darcy；’ replied
Jane； ‘but this may be from better feelings than you are supposing。
They have known her much longer than they have known me； no
wonder if they love her better。 But； whatever may be their own
wishes； it is very unlikely they should have opposed their
brother’s。 What sister would think herself at liberty to do it； unless
there were something very objectionable？ If they believed him
attached to me； they would not try to part us； if he were so； they
could not succeed。 By supposing such an affection； you make
every body acting unnaturally and wrong； and me most unhappy。
Do not distress me by the idea。 I am not ashamed of having been
mistaken—or； at least； it is slight； it is nothing in comparison of
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what I should feel in thinking ill of him or his sisters。 Let me take
it in the best light； in the light in which it may be understood。’
Elizabeth could not oppose such a wish； and from this time Mr。
Bingley’s name was scarcely ever mentioned between them。
Mrs。 Bennet still continued to wonder and repine at his
returning no more； and though a day seldom passed in which
Elizabeth did not account for it clearly； there seemed little chance
of her ever considering it with less perplexity。 Her daughter
endeavoured to convince her of what she did not believe herself；
that his attentions to Jane had been merely the effect of a common
and transient liking； which ceased when he saw her no more； but
though the probability of the statement was admitted at the time；
she had the same story to repeat every day。 Mrs。 Bennet’s best
comfort was； that Mr。 Bingley must be down again in the summer。
Mr。 Bennet treated the matter differently。 ‘So； Lizzy；’ said he
one day； ‘your sister is crossed in love I find。 I congratulate her。
Next to being married； a girl likes to be crossed in love a little now
and then。 It is something to think of； and gives her a sort of
distinction among her companions。 When is your turn to come？
You will hardly bear to be long outdone by Jane。 Now is your time。
Here are officers enough at Meryton to disappoint all the young
ladies in the country。 Let Wickham be your man。 He is a pleasant
fellow； and would jilt you creditably。’
‘Thank you； Sir； but a less agreeable man would satisfy me。 We
must not all expect Jane’s good fortune。’
‘True；’ said Mr。 Bennet； ‘but it is a comfort to think that；
whatever of that kind may befall you； you have an affectionate
mother who will always make the most of it。’
Mr。 Wickham’s society was of material service in dispelling the
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gloom； which the late perverse occurrences had thrown on many
of the Longbourn family。 They saw him often； and to his other
recommendations was now added that of general unreserve。 The
whole of what Elizabeth had already heard； his claims on Mr。
Darcy； and all that he had suffered from him； was now openly
acknowledged and publicly canvassed； and every body was
pleased to think how much they had always disliked Mr。 Darcy
before they had known any thing of the matter。
Miss Bennet was the only creature who could suppose there
might be any extenuating circumstance in the case； unknown to
the society of Hertfordshire； her mild and steady candour always
pleaded for allowances； and urged the possibility of mistakes—but
by everybody else Mr。 Darcy was condemned as the worst of men。
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CHAPTER II
fter a week spent in professions of love and schemes of
Afelicity； Mr。 Collins was called from his amiable Charlotte
by the arrival of Saturday。 The pain of separation；
however； might be alleviated on his side； by preparations for the
reception of his bride； as he had reason to hope； that shortly after
his next return into Hertfordshire； the day would be fixed that was
to make him the happiest of men。 He took leave of his relations at
Longbourn with as much solemnity as before； wished his fair
cousins health and happiness again； and promised their father
another letter of thanks。
On the following Monday； Mrs。 Bennet had the pleasure of
receiving her brother and his wife； who came as usual to spend the
Christmas at Longbourn。 Mr。 Gardiner was a sensible；
gentlemanlike man； greatly superior to his sister as well by n