PRIDE AND PREJUDICE: JANE AUSTEN: CHAPTER 12

Next morning, Elizabeth wrote a letter to her mother requesting her to send a carriage in the course of the day. This she did in agreement with the Bingley sisters.  But Mrs Bennet had in her mind, to prolong their stay at Netherfield.  So she sent them word that they could not possibly have the carriage before Tuesday. In her postscript it was added that if Mr Bingley and his sister pressed them to stay longer, she could spare them very well.  But Elizabeth resolved otherwise and acted through Jane to borrow Bingley's carriage. Mr Bingley was against early leaving and his sister supported him though she was jealous of Elizabeth to remain there. Darcy was silent, as he thought it a welcome step. Elizabeth had been at Netherfield for a considerable period. She attracted him more than he liked. Miss Bingley was uncivil to her.  He wisely resolved to be particularly careful that no sign of admiration should now escape him.  Steady to his purpose he scarcely spoke to her the whole Saturday.

On Sunday after morning service, the separation so agreeable to all took place.  Miss Bingley's civility to Elizabeth increased, as well as her affection for Jane. She embraced her most tenderly, and shook hands with Elizabeth, who took leave of them all in a lively way.

They were not welcomed home very cordially by Mrs Bennet.  She wondered at their coming, and thought them very wrong to give so much trouble, and was sure Jane would have caught cold again.  But their father was really glad to see them.  He was aware that the evening conversation had lost much of its animation by the absence of Jane and Elizabeth. 

They found Mary as usual in the study of thorough-bass and human nature; and had some extracts to admire, and some observations of threadbare morality to listen to.  Catherine and Lydia had information for them of a different sort.  Much had been done and much had been said in the regiment since the preceding Wednesday; Several of the officers had dined lately with their uncle, a private had been flogged, and it had actually been hinted that Colonel Forster was going to be married.

THE END 



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