Страница 702 из 817

Mr. Bingley arrived. Mrs. Bennet, through the assistance of

servants, contrived to have the earliest tidings of it, that the

period of anxiety and fretfulness on her side be as long as it

could. She counted the days that must intervene before their

invitation could be sent--hopeless of seeing him before. But on

the third morning after his arrival in Hertfordshire, she saw him

from her dressing-room window enter the paddock, and ride towards

the house.

Her daughters were eagerly called to partake of her joy. Jane

resolutely kept her place at the table; but Elizabeth, to satisfy

her mother, went to the window--she looked--she saw Mr. Darcy

with him, and sat down again by her sister.

"There is a gentleman with him, mamma," said Kitty; "who can it

be?"

"Some acquaintance or other, my dear, I suppose; I am sure I do

not know."

"La!" replied Kitty, "it looks just like that man that used to be

with him before. Mr. what's his name--that tall, proud man."