Pagina 172 van 817

The two young ladies were summoned from the shrubbery, where this

conversation passed, by the arrival of some of the very persons

of whom they had been speaking; Mr. Bingley and his sisters came

to give their personal invitation for the long expected ball at

Netherfield, which was fixed for the following Tuesday. The two

ladies were delighted to see their dear friend again, called it

an age since they had met, and repeatedly asked what she had been

doing with herself since their separation. To the rest of the

family they paid little attention; avoiding Mrs. Bennet as much

as possible, saying not much to Elizabeth, and nothing at all to

the others. They were soon gone again, rising from their seats

with an activity which took their brother by surprise, and

hurrying off as if eager to escape from Mrs. Bennet's civilities.