“Well,all I know is,that it will be abominably rude if you do not wait on him.But,however,that shan't prevent my asking him to dine here,I am determined.We must have Mrs.Long and the Gouldings soon.That will make thirteen with ourselves,so there will be just room at table for him.”
“This is the consequence, you see, Madam, of marrying a daughter,”said Elizabeth.“It must make you better satisfied that your other four are single.”
“Yet it is hard,”she sometimes thought,“that this poor man cannot come to a house which he has legally hired,without raising all this speculation!I will leave him to himself.”
Consoled by this resolution,she was the better able to bear her husband's incivility;though it was very mortifying to know that her neighbours might all see Mr. Bingley, in consequence of it, before they did.As the day of his arrival drew near:
Mr.Wickham's adieus were much more affectionate than his wife's.He smiled,looked handsome,and said many pretty things.
“As soon as ever Mr.Bingley comes,my dear,”said Mrs.Bennet,“you will wait on him of course.”
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: