第100章[第3页/共5页]

Persuaded as Miss Bingley was that Darcy admired Elizabeth, this was not the best method of recommending herself; but angry people are not always wise;and in seeing him at last look somewhat nettled,she had all the success she expected.He was resolutely silent,however,and,from a determination of making him speak,she continued:

“I remember, when we first knew her in Hertfordshire, how amazed we all were to find that she was a reputed beauty;and I particularly recollect your saying one night,after they had been dining at Netherfield,'she a beauty!―I should as soon call her mother a wit.'But afterwards she seemed to improve on you,and I believe you thought her rather pretty at one time.”

Mrs. Gardiner and Elizabeth talked of all that had occurred during their visit,as they returned,except what had particularly interested them both.The look and behaviour of everybody they had seen were discussed, except of the person who had mostly engaged their attention.They talked of his sister, his friends, his house, his fruit―of everything but himself; yet Elizabeth was longing to know what Mrs. Gardiner thought of him, and Mrs. Gardiner would have been highly gratified by her niece's beginning the subject.