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To Jane, he could be only a man whose proposals she had refused,

and whose merits she had undervalued; but to her own more

extensive information, he was the person to whom the whole family

were indebted for the first of benefits, and whom she regarded

herself with an interest, if not quite so tender, at least as

reasonable and just, as what Jane felt for Bingley. Her

astonishment at his coming--at his coming to Netherfield, to

Longbourn, and voluntarily seeking her again, was almost equal to

what she had known on first witnessing his altered behaviour in

Derbyshire.

The colour which had been driven from her face returned for half

a minute with an additional glow, and a smile of delight added

lustre to her eyes, as she thought for that space of time that

his affection and wishes must still be unshaken; but she would

not be secure.

"Let me first see how he behaves," said she; "it will then be

early enough for expectation."