Страница 730 из 817

Elizabeth, who was left by herself, now smiled at the rapidity

and ease with which an affair was finally settled, that had given

them so many previous months of suspense and vexation.

"And this," said she, "is the end of all his friend's anxious

circumspection! of all his sister's falsehood and contrivance!

the happiest, wisest, and most reasonable end!"

In a few minutes she was joined by Bingley, whose conference with

her father had been short and to the purpose.

"Where is your sister?" said he hastily, as he opened the door.

"With my mother upstairs. She will be down in a moment, I dare

say."