Chapter 44 249
him so desirous to please , so free from self-consequence or unbending reserve , as now , when no importance could result from the success of his endeavours , and when even the acquaintance of those to whom his attentions were addressed would draw down the ridicule and censure of the ladies both of Netherfield and Rosings .
Their visitors stayed with them above half-an-hour ; and when they arose to depart , Mr . Darcy called on his sister to join him in expressing their wish of seeing Mr . and Mrs . Gardiner , and Miss Bennet , to dinner at Pemberley , before they left the country . Miss Darcy , though with a diffidence which marked her little in the habit of giving invitations , readily obeyed . Mrs . Gardiner looked at her niece , desirous of knowing how she , whom the invitation most concerned , felt disposed as to its acceptance , but Elizabeth had turned away her head . Presuming however , that this studied avoidance spoke rather a momentary embarrassment than any dislike of the proposal , and seeing in her husband , who was fond of society , a perfect willingness to accept it , she ventured to engage for her attendance , and the day after the next was fixed on .
Bingley expressed great pleasure in the certainty of seeing Elizabeth again , having still a great deal to say to her , and many inquiries to make after all their Hertfordshire friends . Elizabeth , construing all this into a wish of hearing her speak of her sister , was pleased , and on this account , as well as some others , found herself , when their visitors left them , capable of considering the last half-hour with some satisfaction , though while it was passing , the enjoyment of it had been little . Eager to be alone , and fearful of inquiries or hints from her uncle and aunt , she stayed with them only long enough to hear their favourable opinion of Bingley , and then hurried away to dress .
But she had no reason to fear Mr . and Mrs . Gardiner ' s curiosity ; it was not their wish to force her communication . It was evident that she was much better acquainted with Mr . Darcy than they had before any idea of ; it was evident that he was very much in love with her . They saw much to interest , but nothing to justify inquiry .