Nodiver d.o.o. · Pride & Prejudice · page 106 of 640

Pride & Prejudice – page 106

JANE AUSTEN

his behaviour during the last day must have material

weight in confirming or crushing it. Steady to his

purpose, he scarcely spoke ten words to her through the

whole of Saturday, and though they were at one time

left by themselves for half-an-hour, he adhered most

conscientiously to his book, and would not even look

at her.

On Sunday, after morning service, the separation,

so agreeable to almost all, took place. Miss Bingley’s

civility to Elizabeth increased at last very rapidly, as

well as her affection for Jane; and when they parted,

after assuring the latter of the pleasure it would always

give her to see her either at Longbourn or Netherfield,

and embracing her most tenderly, she even shook hands

with the former. Elizabeth took leave of the whole party

in the liveliest of spirits.

They were not welcomed home very cordially by

their mother. Mrs. Bennet wondered at their coming,

and thought them very wrong to give so much trouble,

and was sure Jane would have caught cold again. But

their father, though very laconic in his expressions

of pleasure, was really glad to see them; he had felt

their importance in the family circle. The evening

conversation, when they were all assembled, had lost

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