صفحة 717 من 817

The gentlemen came; and she thought he looked as if he would have

answered her hopes; but, alas! the ladies had crowded round the

table, where Miss Bennet was making tea, and Elizabeth pouring

out the coffee, in so close a confederacy, that there was not a

single vacancy near her which would admit of a chair. And on the

gentlemen's approaching, one of the girls moved closer to her

than ever, and said, in a whisper,--

"The men shan't come and part us, I am determined. We want none

of them; do we?"

Darcy had walked away to another part of the room. She followed

him with her eyes, envied everyone to whom he spoke, had scarcely

patience enough to help anybody to coffee, and then was enraged

against herself for being so silly!

"A man who has once been refused! How could I ever be foolish

enough to expect a renewal of his love? Is there one among the

sex who would not protest against such a weakness as a second

proposal to the same woman? There is no indignity so abhorrent to

their feelings."