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approach nearer to Wickham； Georgiana also recovered in time；
though not enough to be able to speak any more。 Her brother；
whose eye she feared to meet； scarcely recollected her interest in
the affair； and the very circumstance which had been designed to
turn his thoughts from Elizabeth； seemed to have fixed them on
her more； and more cheerfully。
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Their visit did not continue long after the question and answer
above…mentioned； and while Mr。 Darcy was attending them to
their carriage； Miss Bingley was venting her feelings in criticisms
on Elizabeth’s person； behaviour； and dress。 But Georgiana would
not join her。 Her brother’s recommendation was enough to ensure
her favour： his judgment could not err； and he had spoken in such
terms of Elizabeth； as to leave Georgiana without the power of
finding her otherwise than lovely and amiable。 When Darcy
returned to the saloon； Miss Bingley could not help repeating to
him some part of what she had been saying to his sister。
‘How very ill Eliza Bennet looks this morning； Mr。 Darcy；’ she
cried； ‘I never in my life saw any one so much altered as she is
since the winter。 She is grown so brown and coarse！ Louisa and I
were agreeing that we should not have known her again。’
However little Mr。 Darcy might have liked such an address； he
contented himself with coolly replying； that he perceived no other
alteration than her being rather tanned；—no miraculous
consequence of travelling in the summer。
‘For my own part；’ she rejoined； ‘I must confess that I never
could see any beauty in her。 Her face is too thin； her complexion
has no brilliancy； and her features are not at all handsome。 Her
nose wants character； there is nothing marked in its lines。 Her
teeth are tolerable； but not out of the common way； and as for her
eyes； which have sometimes been called so fine； I never could
perceive any thing extraordinary in them。 They have a sharp；
shrewish look； which I do not like at all； and in her air altogether；
there is a self…sufficiency without fashion； which is intolerable。’
Persuaded as Miss Bingley was that Darcy admired Elizabeth；
this was not the best method of recommending herself； but angry
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people are not always wise； and in seeing him at last look
somewhat nettled； she had all the success she expected。 He was
resolutely silent however； and； from a determination of making
him speak； she continued；
‘I remember； when we first knew her in Hertfordshire； how
amazed we all were to find that she was a reputed beauty； and I
particularly recollect your saying one night； after they had been
dining at Netherfield； “She a beauty！—I should as soon call her
mother a wit。” But afterwards she seemed to improve on you； and
I believe you thought her rather pretty at one time。’
‘Yes；’ replied Darcy； who could contain himself no longer； ‘but
that was only when I first knew her； for it is many months since I
have considered her as one of the handsomest women of my
acquaintance。’
He then went away； and Miss Bingley was left to all the
satisfaction of having forced him to say what gave no one any pain
but herself。
Mrs。 Gardiner and Elizabeth talked of all that had occurred；
during their visit； as they returned； except what had particularly
interested them both。 The looks and behaviour of every body they
had seen were discussed； except of the person who had mostly
engaged their attention。 They talked of his sister； his friends； his
house； his fruit； of every thing but himself； yet Elizabeth was
longing to know what Mrs。 Gardiner thought of him； and Mrs。
Gardiner would have been highly gratified by her niece’s
beginning the subject。
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CHAPTER IV
lizabeth had been a good deal disappointed in not finding
a letter from Jane； on their first arrival at Lambton； and
E
this disappointment had been renewed on each of the
mornings that had now been spent there； but on the third； her
repining was over； and her sister justified by the receipt of two
letters from her at once； on one of which was marked that it had
been missent elsewhere。 Elizabeth was not surprised at it； as Jane
had written the direction remarkably ill。
They had just been preparing to walk as the letters came in；
and her uncle and aunt； leaving her to enjoy them in quiet； set off
by themselves。 The one missent must be first attended to； it had
been written five days ago。 The beginning contained an account of
all their little parties and engagements； with such news as the
country afforded； but the latter half； which was dated a day later；
and written in evident agitation； gave more important intelligence。
It was to this effect：
‘Since writing the above； dearest Lizzy； something has occurred
of a most unexpected and serious nature； but I am afraid of
alarming you—be assured that we are all well。 What I have to say
relates to poor Lydia。 An express came at twelve last night； just as
we were all gone to bed； from Colonel Forster； to inform us that
she was gone off to Scotland with one of his officers； to own the
truth； with Wickham！—Imagine our surprise。 To Kitty； however； it
does not seem so wholly unexpected。 I am very； very sorry。 So
imprudent a match on both sides！—But I am willing to hope the
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