Chapter 53 319
the ----shire , and of his being gone into the regulars . Thank Heaven ! he has some friends , though perhaps not so many as he deserves ."
Elizabeth , who knew this to be levelled at Mr . Darcy , was in such misery of shame , that she could hardly keep her seat . It drew from her , however , the exertion of speaking , which nothing else had so effectually done before ; and she asked Bingley whether he meant to make any stay in the country at present . A few weeks , he believed .
" When you have killed all your own birds , Mr . Bingley ," said her mother , " I beg you will come here , and shoot as many as you please on Mr . Bennet ' s manor . I am sure he will be vastly happy to oblige you , and will save all the best of the covies for you ."
Elizabeth ' s misery increased , at such unnecessary , such officious attention ! Were the same fair prospect to arise at present as had flattered them a year ago , every thing , she was persuaded , would be hastening to the same vexatious conclusion . At that instant , she felt that years of happiness could not make Jane or herself amends for moments of such painful confusion .
" The first wish of my heart ," said she to herself , " is never more to be in company with either of them . Their society can afford no pleasure that will atone for such wretchedness as this ! Let me never see either one or the other again !"
Yet the misery , for which years of happiness were to offer no compensation , received soon afterwards material relief , from observing how much the beauty of her sister re-kindled the admiration of her former lover . When first he came in , he had spoken to her but little ; but every five minutes seemed to be giving her more of his attention . He found her as handsome as she had been last year ; as good natured , and as unaffected , though not quite so chatty . Jane was anxious that no difference should be perceived in her at all , and was really persuaded that she talked as much as ever . But her mind was so busily engaged , that she did not always know when she was silent .