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To Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner he was scarcely a less interesting

personage than to herself. They had long wished to see him. The

whole party before them, indeed, excited a lively attention. The

suspicions which had just arisen of Mr. Darcy and their niece,

directed their observation towards each with an earnest, though

guarded, inquiry; and they soon drew from those inquiries the

full conviction that one of them at least knew what it was to

love. Of the lady's sensations they remained a little in doubt;

but that the gentleman was overflowing with admiration was

evident enough.

Elizabeth, on her side, had much to do. She wanted to ascertain

the feelings of each of her visitors, she wanted to compose her

own, and to make herself agreeable to all; and in the latter

object, where she feared most to fail, she was most sure of

success, for those to whom she endeavoured to give pleasure were

pre-possessed in her favour. Bingley was ready, Georgiana was

eager, and Darcy determined, to be pleased.

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