第129章[第1頁/共5頁]

“I suspected as much,”replied Elizabeth.“But how did he account for it?”

“He made a little mistake to be sure;but it is to the credit of his modesty.”

“It must have been his sister's doing.They were certainly no friends to his acquaintance with me,which I cannot wonder at, since he might have chosen so much more advantageously in many respects.But when they see,as I trust they will,that their brother is happy with me,they will learn to be contented,and we shall be on good terms again; though we can never be what we once were to each other.”

The situation of affairs in the Longbourn family could not be long a secret. Mrs. Bennet was privileged to whisper it to Mrs. Phillips, and she ventured, without any permission, to do the same by all her neighbours in Meryton.

“That is the most unforgiving speech,”said Elizabeth,“that I ever heard you utter.Good girl!It would vex me,indeed,to see you again the dupe of Miss Bingley's pretended regard.”

“Exceed their income!My dear Mr.Bennet,”cried his wife,“what are you talking of?Why,he has four or five thousand a year,and very likely more.”Then addressing her daughter,“Oh!my dear,dear Jane,I am so happy!I am sure I shan't get a wink of sleep all night.I knew how it would be.I always said it must be so,at last.I was sure you could not be so beautiful for nothing!I remember,as soon as ever I saw him,when he first came into Hertfordshire last year,I thought how likely it was that you should come together.Oh!he is the handsomest young man that ever was seen!”