Chapter 11 56
Chapter 11
When the ladies removed after dinner , Elizabeth ran up to her sister , and seeing her well guarded from cold , attended her into the drawing-room , where she was welcomed by her two friends with many professions of pleasure ; and Elizabeth had never seen them so agreeable as they were during the hour which passed before the gentlemen appeared . Their powers of conversation were considerable . They could describe an entertainment with accuracy , relate an anecdote with humour , and laugh at their acquaintance with spirit .
But when the gentlemen entered , Jane was no longer the first object ; Miss Bingley ' s eyes were instantly turned toward Darcy , and she had something to say to him before he had advanced many steps . He addressed himself to Miss Bennet , with a polite congratulation ; Mr . Hurst also made her a slight bow , and said he was " very glad ;" but diffuseness and warmth remained for Bingley ' s salutation . He was full of joy and attention . The first half-hour was spent in piling up the fire , lest she should suffer from the change of room ; and she removed at his desire to the other side of the fireplace , that she might be further from the door . He then sat down by her , and talked scarcely to anyone else . Elizabeth , at work in the opposite corner , saw it all with great delight .
When tea was over , Mr . Hurst reminded his sister-in-law of the card-table--but in vain . She had obtained private intelligence that Mr . Darcy did not wish for cards ; and Mr . Hurst soon found even his open petition rejected . She assured him that no one intended to play , and the silence of the whole party on the subject seemed to justify her . Mr . Hurst had therefore nothing to do , but to stretch himself on one of the sofas and go to sleep . Darcy took up a book ; Miss Bingley did the same ; and Mrs . Hurst , principally occupied in playing with her bracelets and rings , joined now and then in her brother ' s conversation with Miss Bennet .
Miss Bingley ' s attention was quite as much engaged in watching Mr . Darcy ' s progress through his book , as in reading her own ; and she was perpetually either making some inquiry , or looking at his page . She could