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the same circumstances were to happen again； I am sure I should
be deceived again。 Caroline did not return my visit till yesterday；
and not a note； not a line； did I receive in the mean time。 When she
did come； it was very evident that she had no pleasure in it； she
made a slight； formal； apology； for not calling before； said not a
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word of wishing to see me again； and was in every respect so
altered a creature； that when she went away； I was perfectly
resolved to continue the acquaintance no longer。 I pity； though I
cannot help blaming her。 She was very wrong in singling me out
as she did； I can safely say； that every advance to intimacy began
on her side。 But I pity her； because she must feel that she has been
acting wrong； and because I am very sure that anxiety for her
brother is the cause of it。 I need not explain myself farther； and
though we know this anxiety to be quite needless； yet if she feels it；
it will easily account for her behaviour to me； and so deservedly
dear as he is to his sister； whatever anxiety she may feel on his
behalf； is natural and amiable。 I cannot but wonder； however； at
her having any such fears now； because； if he had at all cared
about me； we must have met long； long ago。 He knows of my being
in town； I am certain； from something she said herself； and yet it
should seem by her manner of talking； as if she wanted to
persuade herself that he is really partial to Miss Darcy。 I cannot
understand it。 If I were not afraid of judging harshly； I should be
almost tempted to say； that there is a strong appearance of
duplicity in all this。 But I will endeavour to banish every painful
thought； and think only of what will make me happy； your
affection； and the invariable kindness of my dear uncle and aunt。
Let me hear from you very soon。 Miss Bingley said something of
his never returning to Netherfield again； of giving up the house；
but not with any certainty。 We had better not mention it。 I am
extremely glad that you have such pleasant accounts from our
friends at Hunsford。 Pray go to see them； with Sir William and
Maria。 I am sure you will be very comfortable there。
‘Your’s； &c。’
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This letter gave Elizabeth some pain； but her spirits returned as
she considered that Jane would no longer be duped； by the sister
at least。 All expectation from the brother was now absolutely over。
She would not even wish for any renewal of his attentions。 His
character sunk on every review of it； and as a punishment for him；
as well as a possible advantage to Jane； she seriously hoped he
might really soon marry Mr。 Darcy’s sister； as； by Wickham’s
account； she would make him abundantly regret what he had
thrown away。
Mrs。 Gardiner about this time reminded Elizabeth of her
promise concerning that gentleman； and required information；
and Elizabeth had such to send as might rather give contentment
to her aunt than to herself。 His apparent partiality had subsided；
his attentions were over； he was the admirer of some one else。
Elizabeth was watchful enough to see it all； but she could see it
and write of it without material pain。 Her heart had been but
slightly touched； and her vanity was satisfied with believing that
she would have been his only choice； had fortune permitted it。 The
sudden acquisition of ten thousand pounds was the most
remarkable charm of the young lady； to whom he was now
rendering himself agreeable； but Elizabeth； less clear…sighted
perhaps in his case than in Charlotte’s； did not quarrel with him
for his wish of independence。 Nothing； on the contrary； could be
more natural； and while able to suppose that it cost him a few
struggles to relinquish her； she was ready to allow it a wise and
desirable measure for both； and could very sincerely wish him
happy。
All this was acknowledged to Mrs。 Gardiner； and after relating
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the circumstances； she thus went on：—‘I am now convinced； my
dear aunt； that I have never been much in love； for had I really
experienced that pure and elevating passion； I should at present
detest his very name； and wish him all manner of evil。 But my
feelings are not only cordial towards him； they are even impartial
towards Miss King。 I cannot find out that I hate her at all； or that I
am in the least unwilling to think her a very good sort of girl。
There can be no love in all this。 My watchfulness has been
effectual； and though I should certainly be a more interesting
object to all my acquaintance； were I distractedly in love with him；
I cannot say that I regret my comparative insignificance。
Importance may sometimes be purchased too dearly。 Kitty and
Lydia take his defection much more to heart than I do。 They are
young in the ways of the world； and not yet open to the mortifying
conviction that handsome young men must have something to live
on； as well as the plain。
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CHAPTER IV
ith no greater events than these in the Longbourn
Wfamily； and otherwise diversifie