When the gentlemen rose to go away,Mrs.Bennet was mindful of her intended civility,and they were invited and engaged to dine at Longbourn in a few days time.
“The first wish of my heart,”said she to herself,“is never more to be in company with either of them.Their society can afford no pleasure that will atone for such wretchedness as this!Let me never see either one or the other again!”
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.
Mrs. Bennet had been strongly inclined to ask them to stay and dine there that day;but,though she always kept a very good table,she did not think anything less than two courses could be good enough for a man on whom she had such anxious designs,or satisfy the appetite and pride of one who had ten thousand a year.