“Would you believe it, Lizzy, that when he went to town last November,he really loved me,and nothing but a persuasion of my being indifferent would have prevented his coming down again!”
“It must have been his sister's doing.They were certainly no friends to his acquaintance with me,which I cannot wonder at, since he might have chosen so much more advantageously in many respects.But when they see,as I trust they will,that their brother is happy with me,they will learn to be contented,and we shall be on good terms again; though we can never be what we once were to each other.”
Elizabeth had now but little time for conversation with her sister;for while he was present,Jane had no attention to bestow on anyone else;but she found herself considerably useful to both of them in those hours of separation that must sometimes occur. In the absence of Jane,he always attached himself to Elizabeth, for the pleasure of talking of her; and when Bingley was gone, Jane constantly sought the same means of relief.
“That is the most unforgiving speech,”said Elizabeth,“that I ever heard you utter.Good girl!It would vex me,indeed,to see you again the dupe of Miss Bingley's pretended regard.”