Nodiver d.o.o. · Pride & Prejudice · page 557 of 640

Pride & Prejudice – page 557

Pride and Prejudice

parties, had belonged to him, by her sister. Her prudent

mother, occupied by the same ideas, forbore to invite

him to sit by herself. On entering the room, he seemed

to hesitate; but Jane happened to look round, and

happened to smile: it was decided. He placed himself

by her.

Elizabeth, with a triumphant sensation, looked

towards his friend. He bore it with noble indifference,

and she would have imagined that Bingley had received

his sanction to be happy, had she not seen his eyes

likewise turned towards Mr. Darcy, with an expression

of half-laughing alarm.

His behaviour to her sister was such, during dinner

time, as showed an admiration of her, which, though

more guarded than formerly, persuaded Elizabeth, that

if left wholly to himself, Jane’s happiness, and his

own, would be speedily secured. Though she dared

not depend upon the consequence, she yet received

pleasure from observing his behaviour. It gave her all

the animation that her spirits could boast; for she was

in no cheerful humour. Mr. Darcy was almost as far

from her as the table could divide them. He was on one

side of her mother. She knew how little such a situation

would give pleasure to either, or make either appear to

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