Nodiver d.o.o. · Pride & Prejudice · page 156 of 640

Pride & Prejudice – page 156

Chapter 18

Till Elizabeth entered the drawing-room at Netherfield,

and looked in vain for Mr. Wickham among the

cluster of red coats there assembled, a doubt of his

being present had never occurred to her. The certainty

of meeting him had not been checked by any of

those recollections that might not unreasonably have

alarmed her. She had dressed with more than usual care,

and prepared in the highest spirits for the conquest of

all that remained unsubdued of his heart, trusting that

it was not more than might be won in the course of the

evening. But in an instant arose the dreadful suspicion

of his being purposely omitted for Mr. Darcy’s pleasure

in the Bingleys’ invitation to the officers; and though

this was not exactly the case, the absolute fact of

his absence was pronounced by his friend Denny, to

whom Lydia eagerly applied, and who told them that

Wickham had been obliged to go to town on business

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