PRIDE & PREJUDICE: JANE AUSTEN: CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Elizabeth related next day what passed between Mr Wickham and herself.  Jane listened with astonishment and concern; she knew not how to believe that Mr Darcy could be so unworthy of Mr Bingley's regard; and yet, it was not in her nature to question the veracity of such amiable appearance as Mr Wickham.

"They have both," said Jane, "been deceived, I dare say, in some way or other, of which we can form no idea.  Interested people perhaps have misrepresented each to the other.  It is, in short, impossible for us to conjecture the causes or circumstances which may have alienated them, without actual blame on either side."

"Very true, indeed; and now, my dear Jane, what have you got to say on behalf of the interested people who have probably been concerned in the business? Do clear them too, or we shall be obliged to think ill of somebody."

"Do not laugh me out of my opinion.  My dearest Lizzy, do but consider in what a disgraceful light it places Mr Darcy, to be treating his father's favourite in such a manner. It is impossible."

"I do not think Mr Wickham should invent such a story.  If it be so, let Mr Darcy contradict it."

"It is difficult indeed. It is distressing. One does not know what to think."

"I beg your pardon; one knows exactly what to think."

But Jane could think with certainty only on the point- Mr Bingley.  

The two young ladies were summoned from the shrubbery, by the arrival of the very persons of whom they had been speaking; Mr Bingley and his sisters came to give their personal invitation for the long expected ball at Netherfield, which was fixed on the following Tuesday.

They were now in Longbourn, the two ladies seemed delighted see Jane again, called it an age since they met, and repeatedly asked, what she had been doing with herself since the seperation.  To the rest of the family they paid little attention; avoiding Mrs Bennet as much as possible, saying not much to Elizabeth, and nothing at all to others. They were soon gone, rising from their seats, an activity which took their brother by surprise, and hurried off as to escape Mrs Bennet.

The prospect of Netherfield ball was extremely agreeable to every female of the family.  Mrs Bennet chose to consider it a compliment to Jane, who pictured to herself a happy evening in the society of her friend.  Elizabeth thought with pleasure of dancing a great deal with Mr Wickham, and seeing a confirmation of everything in Mr Darcy's look and behaviour.  Each of Catherine and Lydia thought  to dance with Wickham half the evening, he by no means the only partner who could satisfy them.  And Mary assured her family that she had no disinclination for the ball. Mr Collins said that he entertained no scruple whatever on that head and was far from dreading a rebuke either from Archbishop or from Lady Catherine.  And he hoped that all of his cousins will honour him with their hands, and Miss Elizabeth with first two dances with him. It now first struck her that she was selected from among her sisters as worthy of being mistress of Hunsford parsonage. And her mother gave her to understand that the probability of their marriage was extremely agreeable to her.  Elizabeth, however, did not choose to take the hint, being well aware that a serious dispute must be the consequence of the reply.  Mr Collins might never make the offer, and till he did, it was useless to quarrel about him.

From the day of the invitation to the day of the ball there had been a succession of rain, and the younger Bennets were not able to go to Meryton, and were trapped in Longbourn and they enjoyed the company of their sisters and Mr Collins.

THE END 

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