Nodiver d.o.o. · Pride & Prejudice · page 543 of 640

Pride & Prejudice – page 543

Pride and Prejudice

me, on purpose to order in some meat on Wednesday,

and she has got three couple of ducks just fit to be

killed.”

Miss Bennet had not been able to hear of his coming

without changing colour. It was many months since she

had mentioned his name to Elizabeth; but now, as soon

as they were alone together, she said:

“I saw you look at me to-day, Lizzy, when my aunt

told us of the present report; and I know I appeared

distressed. But don’t imagine it was from any silly

cause. I was only confused for the moment, because I

felt that I should be looked at. I do assure you that the

news does not affect me either with pleasure or pain. I

am glad of one thing, that he comes alone; because we

shall see the less of him. Not that I am afraid of myself,

but I dread other people’s remarks.”

Elizabeth did not know what to make of it. Had she

not seen him in Derbyshire, she might have supposed

him capable of coming there with no other view than

what was acknowledged; but she still thought him

partial to Jane, and she wavered as to the greater proba-

bility of his coming there with his friend’s permission,

or being bold enough to come without it.

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