صفحة 207 من 817

Elizabeth's eyes were fixed on her, with most painful sensations;

and she watched her progress through the several stanzas with an

impatience which was very ill rewarded at their close; for Mary,

on receiving amongst the thanks of the table the hint of a hope

that she might be prevailed on to favour them again, after the

pause of half a minute began another. Mary's powers were by no

means fitted for such a display; her voice was weak, and her

manner affected. Elizabeth was in agonies. She looked at Jane to

see how she bore it; but Jane was very composedly talking to

Bingley. She looked at his two sisters, and saw them making signs

of derision at each other, and at Darcy, who continued, however,

impenetrably grave. She looked at her father to entreat his

interference, lest Mary should be singing all night. He took the

hint, and, when Mary had finished her second song, said aloud,--