Nodiver d.o.o. · Pride & Prejudice · page 53 of 640

Pride & Prejudice – page 53

Pride and Prejudice

of the family, Catherine and Lydia, were particularly

frequent in these attentions; their minds were more

vacant than their sisters’, and when nothing better

offered, a walk to Meryton was necessary to amuse

their morning hours and furnish conversation for the

evening; and however bare of news the country in

general might be, they always contrived to learn some

from their aunt. At present, indeed, they were well

supplied both with news and happiness by the recent

arrival of a militia regiment in the neighbourhood; it

was to remain the whole winter, and Meryton was the

headquarters.

Their visits to Mrs. Phillips were now productive

of the most interesting intelligence. Every day added

something to their knowledge of the officers’ names

and connections. Their lodgings were not long a secret,

and at length they began to know the officers them-

selves. Mr. Phillips visited them all, and this opened

to his nieces a store of felicity unknown before. They

could talk of nothing but officers; and Mr. Bingley’s

large fortune, the mention of which gave animation to

their mother, was worthless in their eyes when opposed

to the regimentals of an ensign.

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