Pagina 213 de 817

Elizabeth preserved as steady a silence as either Mrs. Hurst or

Miss Bingley; and even Lydia was too much fatigued to utter more

than the occasional exclamation of "Lord, how tired I am!"

accompanied by a violent yawn.

When at length they arose to take leave, Mrs. Bennet was most

pressingly civil in her hope of seeing the whole family soon at

Longbourn; and addressed herself particularly to Mr. Bingley, to

assure him how happy he would make them, by eating a family

dinner with them at any time, without the ceremony of a formal

invitation. Bingley was all grateful pleasure; and he readily

engaged for taking the earliest opportunity of waiting on her

after his return from London, whither he was obliged to go the

next day for a short time.