His being such a charming youngman, and so rich, and living but three miles from them, were thefirst points of self-gratulation; and then it was such a comfort tothink how fond the two sisters were of Jane, and to be certain thatthey must desire the connection as much as she could do. It was,moreover, such a promising thing for her younger daughters, asJane’s marrying so greatly must throw them in the way of otherrich men; and lastly, it was so pleasant at her time of life to be ableto consign her single daughters to the care of their sister, that shemight not be obliged to go into company more than she liked. Itwas necessary to make this circumstance a matter of pleasure,because on such occasions it is the etiquette, but no one was less likely than Mrs. Bennet to find comfort in staying at home at anyperiod of her life. She concluded with many good wishes that LadyLucas might soon be equally fortunate, though evidently and triumphantly believing there was no chance of it.In vain did Elizabeth endeavour to check the rapidity of hermother’s words, or persuade her to describe her felicity in a less
audible whisper; for to her inexpressible vexation, she couldperceive that the chief of it was overheard by Mr. Darcy, who satopposite to them. Her mother only scolded her for being nonsensical.‘What is Mr. Darcy to me, pray, that I should be afraid of him? Iam sure we owe him no such particular civility as to be obliged to say nothing he may not like to hear.’‘For heaven’s sake, madam, speak lower. What advantage can itbe to you to offend Mr. Darcy?—You will never recommend yourself to his friend by so doing.’Nothing that she could say, however, had any influence. Hermother would talk of her views in the same intelligible tone.Elizabeth blushed and blushed again with shame and vexation.She could not help frequently glancing her eye at Mr. Darcy,though every glance convinced her of what she dreaded; forthough he was not always looking at her mother, she wasconvinced that his attention was invariably fixed by her. The expression of his face changed gradually from indignant contemptto a composed and steady gravity.
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