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PinkMonkey.com Digital Library - Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen


199

CHAPTER XLV

CONVINCED as Elizabeth now was that Miss Bingley’s dislike of
her had originated in jealousy, she could not help feeling how very
unwelcome her appearance at Pemberley must be to her, and was
curious to know with how much civility on that lady’s side the
acquaintance would now be renewed.

On reaching the house, they were shown through the hall into the
saloon, whose northern aspect rendered it delightful for summer.
Its windows opening to the ground, admitted a most refreshing
view of the high woody hills behind the house, and of the beautiful
oaks and Spanish chestnuts which were scattered over the
intermediate lawn.

In this room they were received by Miss Darcy, who was sitting
there with Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley, and the lady with whom
she lived in London. Georgiana’s reception of them was very civil,
but attended with all that embarrassment which, though
proceeding from shyness and the fear of doing wrong, would
easily give to those who felt themselves inferior the belief of her
being proud and reserved. Mrs. Gardiner and her niece, however,
did her justice, and pitied her.

By Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley they were noticed only by a
curtsey; and, on their being seated, a pause, awkward as such
pauses must always be, succeeded for a few moments. It was first
broken by Mrs. Annesley, a genteel, agreeablelooking woman,
whose [endeavor] to introduce some kind of discourse proved her
to be more truly well-bred than either of the others; and between
her and Mrs.

Gardiner, with occasional help from Elizabeth, the conversation
was carried on.

Miss Darcy looked as if she wished for courage enough to join in it;
and sometimes did venture a short sentence when there was least
danger of its being heard.

Elizabeth soon saw that she was herself closely watched by Miss
Bingley, and that she could not speak a word, especially to Miss
Darcy, without calling her attention. This observation would not
have prevented her from trying to talk to the latter, had they not
been seated at an inconvenient distance; but she was not sorry to be
spared the necessity of saying much. Her own thoughts were
employing her.

She expected every moment that some of the gentlemen would
enter the room.
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