As soon as they were gone,Elizabeth walked out to recover her spirits;or in other words,to dwell without interruption on those subjects that must deaden them more. Mr. Darcy's behaviour astonished and vexed her.
On Tuesday there was a large party assembled at Longbourn;and the two who were most anxiously expected,to the credit of their punctuality as sportsmen, were in very good time.When they repaired to the dining-room, Elizabeth eagerly watched to see whether Bingley would take the place,which,in all their former parties,had belonged to him, by her sister. Her prudent mother, occupied by the same ideas,forbore to invite him to sit by herself. On entering the room, he seemed to hesitate;but Jane happened to look round,and happened to smile: it was decided. He placed himself by her.
She could settle it in no way that gave her pleasure.
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.