and affection of a sister. Elizabeth honestly and heartily expressed her

delight in the prospect of their relationship. They shook hands with

great cordiality; and then, till her sister came down, she had to listen

to all he had to say of his own happiness, and of Jane’s perfections;

and in spite of his being a lover, Elizabeth really believed all his

expectations of felicity to be rationally founded, because they had for

basis the excellent understanding and super-excellent disposition of

Jane, and a general similarity of feeling and taste between her and

himself.
It was an evening of no common delight to them all; the satisfaction of

Miss Bennet’s mind gave such a glow of sweet animation to her face, as

made her look handsomer than ever. Kitty simpered and smiled, and hoped

her turn was coming soon. Mrs. Bennet could not give her consent, or

speak her approbation in terms warm enough to satisfy her feelings,

though she talked to Bingley of nothing else, for half an hour; and when

Mr. Bennet joined them at supper, his voice and manner plainly showed

how really happy he was.
Not a word, however, passed his lips in allusion to it, till their

visitor took his leave for the night; but as soon as he was gone, he

turned to his daughter and said,—
“Jane, I congratulate you. You will be a very happy woman.{428}”
Jane went to him instantly, kissed him, and thanked him for his

goodness.
“You are a good girl,” he replied, “and I have great pleasure in

thinking you will be so happily settled. I have not a doubt of your

doing very well together. Your tempers are by no means unlike. You are

each of you so complying, that nothing will ever be resolved on; so

easy, that every servant will cheat you; and so generous, that you will

always exceed your income.”
“I hope not so. Imprudence or thoughtlessness in money matters would be

unpardonable in me.”
“Exceed their income! My dear Mr. Bennet,” cried his wife, “what are you