Pagina 297 di 817

But, in spite of the certainty in which Elizabeth affected to

place this point, as well as the still more interesting one of

Bingley's being withheld from seeing Jane, she felt a solicitude

on the subject which convinced her, on examination, that she did

not consider it entirely hopeless. It was possible, and sometimes

she thought it probable, that his affection might be re-animated,

and the influence of his friends successfully combated by the

more natural influence of Jane's attractions.

Miss Bennet accepted her aunt's invitation with pleasure; and the

Bingleys were no otherwise in her thoughts at the same time than

as she hoped, by Caroline's not living in the same house with her

brother, she might occasionally spend a morning with her, without

any danger of seeing him.