Pagina 268 de 817

Lady Lucas could not be insensible of triumph on being able to

retort on Mrs. Bennet the comfort of having a daughter well

married; and she called at Longbourn rather oftener than usual to

say how happy she was, though Mrs. Bennet's sour looks and

ill-natured remarks might have been enough to drive happiness

away.

Between Elizabeth and Charlotte there was a restraint which kept

them mutually silent on the subject; and Elizabeth felt persuaded

that no real confidence could ever subsist between them again.

Her disappointment in Charlotte made her turn with fonder regard

to her sister, of whose rectitude and delicacy she was sure her

opinion could never be shaken, and for whose happiness she grew

daily more anxious, as Bingley had now been gone a week, and

nothing was heard of his return.