“I think you are in very great danger of making him as much in love with you as ever.”
They did not see the gentlemen again till Tuesday; and Mrs. Bennet,in the meanwhile,was giving way to all the happy schemes, which the good humour and common politeness of Bingley,in half an hour's visit,had revived.
“Now,”said she,“that this first meeting is over,I feel perfectly easy.I know my own strength,and I shall never be embarrassed again by his coming. I am glad he dines here on Tuesday. It will then be publicly seen that, on both sides, we meet only as common and indifferent acquaintance.”
Elizabeth, with a triumphant sensation, looked towards his friend. He bore it with noble indifference, and she would have imagined that Bingley had received his sanction to be happy,had she not seen his eyes likewise turned towards Mr.Darcy,with an expression of half-laughing alarm.
“Yes,very indifferent indeed,”said Elizabeth,laughingly.“Oh, Jane,take care.”
“He could be still amiable,still pleasing,to my uncle and aunt, when he was in town; and why not to me? If he fears me, why come hither? If he no longer cares for me, why silent?Teasing, teasing,man!I will think no more about him.”
His behaviour to her sister was such, during dinner time, as showed an admiration of her,which,though more guarded than formerly,persuaded Elizabeth,that if left wholly to himself,Jane's happiness,and his own,would be speedily secured.Though she dared not depend upon the consequence,she yet received pleasure from observing his behaviour.It gave her all the animation that her spirits could boast;for she was in no cheerful humour.Mr.Darcy was almost as far from her as the table could divide them.He was on one side of her mother.She knew how little such a situation would give pleasure to either,or make either appear to advantage. She was not near enough to hear any of their discourse,but she could see how seldom they spoke to each other,and how formal and cold was their manner whenever they did. Her mother's ungraciousness, made the sense of what they owed him more painful to Elizabeth's mind;and she would,at times,have given anything to be privileged to tell him that his kindness was neither unknown nor unfelt by the whole of the family.