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Elizabeth, with a triumphant sensation, looked towards his

friend. He bore it with noble indifference; and she would have

imagined that Bingley had received his sanction to be happy, had

she not seen his eyes likewise turned towards Mr. Darcy, with an

expression of half-laughing alarm.

His behaviour to her sister was such during dinnertime as showed

an admiration of her, which, though more guarded than formerly,

persuaded Elizabeth, that, if left wholly to himself, Jane's

happiness, and his own, would be speedily secured. Though she

dared not depend upon the consequence, she yet received pleasure

from observing his behaviour. It gave her all the animation that

her spirits could boast; for she was in no cheerful humour. Mr.

Darcy was almost as far from her as the table could divide them.

He was on one side of her mother. She knew how little such a

situation would give pleasure to either, or make either appear to

advantage. She was not near enough to hear any of their

discourse; but she could see how seldom they spoke to each other,

and how formal and cold was their manner whenever they did.