Chapter 9 43
" I am sure," she added, " if it was not for such good friends I do not know what would become of her, for she is very ill indeed, and suffers a vast deal, though with the greatest patience in the world, which is always the way with her, for she has, without exception, the sweetest temper I have ever met with. I often tell my other girls they are nothing to her. You have a sweet room here, Mr. Bingley, and a charming prospect over the gravel walk. I do not know a place in the country that is equal to Netherfield. You will not think of quitting it in a hurry, I hope, though you have but a short lease."
" Whatever I do is done in a hurry," replied he; " and therefore if I should resolve to quit Netherfield, I should probably be off in five minutes. At present, however, I consider myself as quite fixed here."
" That is exactly what I should have supposed of you," said Elizabeth. " You begin to comprehend me, do you?" cried he, turning towards her. " Oh! yes--I understand you perfectly."
" I wish I might take this for a compliment; but to be so easily seen through I am afraid is pitiful."
" That is as it happens. It does not follow that a deep, intricate character is more or less estimable than such a one as yours."
" Lizzy," cried her mother, " remember where you are, and do not run on in the wild manner that you are suffered to do at home."
" I did not know before," continued Bingley immediately, " that you were a studier of character. It must be an amusing study."
" Yes, but intricate characters are the most amusing. They have at least that advantage."