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"I have just received your letter, and shall devote this whole

morning to answering it, as I foresee that a little writing will

not comprise what I have to tell you. I must confess myself

surprised by your application; I did not expect it from you.

Don't think me angry, however, for I only mean to let you know,

that I had not imagined such inquiries to be necessary on your

side. If you do not choose to understand me, forgive my

impertinence. Your uncle is as much surprised as I am; and

nothing but the belief of your being a party concerned would have

allowed him to act as he has done. But if you are really innocent

and ignorant, I must be more explicit. On the very day of my

coming home from Longbourn, your uncle had a most unexpected

visitor. Mr. Darcy called, and was shut up with him several

hours. It was all over before I arrived; so my curiosity was not

so dreadfully racked as yours seems to have been. He came to tell

Mr. Gardiner that he had found out where your sister and Mr.