Chapter 54 325
nieces are very pretty behaved girls , and not at all handsome : I like them prodigiously ."
Mrs . Bennet , in short , was in very great spirits ; she had seen enough of Bingley ' s behaviour to Jane , to be convinced that she would get him at last ; and her expectations of advantage to her family , when in a happy humour , were so far beyond reason , that she was quite disappointed at not seeing him there again the next day , to make his proposals .
" It has been a very agreeable day ," said Miss Bennet to Elizabeth . " The party seemed so well selected , so suitable one with the other . I hope we may often meet again ."
Elizabeth smiled .
" Lizzy , you must not do so . You must not suspect me . It mortifies me . I assure you that I have now learnt to enjoy his conversation as an agreeable and sensible young man , without having a wish beyond it . I am perfectly satisfied , from what his manners now are , that he never had any design of engaging my affection . It is only that he is blessed with greater sweetness of address , and a stronger desire of generally pleasing , than any other man ."
" You are very cruel ," said her sister , " you will not let me smile , and are provoking me to it every moment ."
" How hard it is in some cases to be believed !" " And how impossible in others !"
" But why should you wish to persuade me that I feel more than I acknowledge ?"
" That is a question which I hardly know how to answer . We all love to instruct , though we can teach only what is not worth knowing . Forgive me ; and if you persist in indifference , do not make me your confidante ."