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Pride & Prejudice – page 553

Pride and Prejudice

“The first wish of my heart,” said she to herself, “is

never more to be in company with either of them. Their

society can afford no pleasure that will atone for such

wretchedness as this! Let me never see either one or the

other again!”

Yet the misery, for which years of happiness were

to offer no compensation, received soon afterwards

material relief, from observing how much the beauty

of her sister re-kindled the admiration of her former

lover. When first he came in, he had spoken to her but

little; but every five minutes seemed to be giving her

more of his attention. He found her as handsome as she

had been last year; as good natured, and as unaffected,

though not quite so chatty. Jane was anxious that no

difference should be perceived in her at all, and was

really persuaded that she talked as much as ever. But

her mind was so busily engaged, that she did not always

know when she was silent.

When the gentlemen rose to go away, Mrs. Bennet

was mindful of her intended civility, and they were

invited and engaged to dine at Longbourn in a few days’

time.

“You are quite a visit in my debt, Mr. Bingley,” she

added, “for when you went to town last winter, you

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