Strona 735 z 817

Bingley, from this time, was of course a daily visitor at

Longbourn; coming frequently before breakfast, and always

remaining till after supper; unless when some barbarous

neighbour, who could not be enough detested, had given him an

invitation to dinner, which he thought himself obliged to accept.

Elizabeth had now but little time for conversation with her

sister; for while he was present Jane had no attention to bestow

on anyone else: but she found herself considerably useful to both

of them, in those hours of separation that must sometimes occur.

In the absence of Jane, he always attached himself to Elizabeth

for the pleasure of talking of her; and when Bingley was gone,

Jane constantly sought the same means of relief.

"He has made me so happy," said she, one evening, "by telling me

that he was totally ignorant of my being in town last spring! I

had not believed it possible."

"I suspected as much," replied Elizabeth. "But how did he account

for it?"