Страница 565 из 817

Their visit did not continue long after the question and answer

above mentioned; and while Mr. Darcy was attending them to their

carriage, Miss Bingley was venting her feelings in criticisms on

Elizabeth's person, behaviour, and dress. But Georgiana would not

join her. Her brother's recommendation was enough to insure her

favour: his judgment could not err; and he had spoken in such

terms of Elizabeth, as to leave Georgiana without the power of

finding her otherwise than lovely and amiable. When Darcy

returned to the saloon, Miss Bingley could not help repeating to

him some part of what she had been saying to his sister.

"How very ill Eliza Bennet looks this morning, Mr. Darcy," she

cried: "I never in my life saw anyone so much altered as she is

since the winter. She is grown so brown and coarse! Louisa and I

were agreeing that we should not have known her again."