She inquired after his sister,but could do no more.
Darcy, after inquiring of her how Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner did, a question which she could not answer without confusion, said scarcely anything. He was not seated by her; perhaps that was the reason of his silence; but it had not been so in Derbyshire. There he had talked to her friends,when he could not to herself. But now several minutes elapsed without bringing the sound of his voice;and when occasionally,unable to resist the impulse of curiosity,she raised her eyes to his face,she as often found him looking at Jane as at herself,and frequently on no object but the ground. More thoughtfulness and less anxiety to please, than when they last met,were plainly expressed.She was disappointed, and angry with herself for being so.
Bingley replied that he did, and made his congratulations. Elizabeth dared not lift up her eyes. How Mr. Darcy looked, therefore,she could not tell.
He readily agreed to it.
Bingley looked a little silly at this reflection,and said something of his concern at having been prevented by business.They then went away.
She was in no humour for conversation with anyone but himself;and to him she had hardly courage to speak.
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.