Nodiver d.o.o. · Pride & Prejudice · page 97 of 640

Pride & Prejudice – page 97

Pride and Prejudice

“very glad;” but diffuseness and warmth remained for

Bingley’s salutation. He was full of joy and attention.

The first half-hour was spent in piling up the fire, lest

she should suffer from the change of room; and she

removed at his desire to the other side of the fireplace,

that she might be further from the door. He then

sat down by her, and talked scarcely to anyone else.

Elizabeth, at work in the opposite corner, saw it all with

great delight.

When tea was over, Mr. Hurst reminded his

sister-in-law of the card-table but in vain. She had

obtained private intelligence that Mr. Darcy did not

wish for cards; and Mr. Hurst soon found even his open

petition rejected. She assured him that no one intended

to play, and the silence of the whole party on the subject

seemed to justify her. Mr. Hurst had therefore nothing

to do, but to stretch himself on one of the sofas and go

to sleep. Darcy took up a book; Miss Bingley did the

same; and Mrs. Hurst, principally occupied in playing

with her bracelets and rings, joined now and then in

her brother’s conversation with Miss Bennet.

Miss Bingley’s attention was quite as much engaged

in watching Mr. Darcy’s progress through his book,

as in reading her own; and she was perpetually either

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