Page 697 of 817

"You may depend on it," replied the other, "for Mrs. Nichols was

in Meryton last night: I saw her passing by, and went out myself

on purpose to know the truth of it; and she told me that it was

certainly true. He comes down on Thursday, at the latest, very

likely on Wednesday. She was going to the butcher's, she told me,

on purpose to order in some meat on Wednesday, and she has got

three couple of ducks just fit to be killed."

Miss Bennet had not been able to hear of his coming without

changing colour. It was many months since she had mentioned his

name to Elizabeth; but now, as soon as they were alone together,

she said,--