of fatigue while enumerating the advantages of the match. His being such

a charming young man, and so rich, and living but three miles from them,

were the first points of self-gratulation; and then it was such a

comfort to think how fond the two sisters were of Jane, and to be

certain that they must desire the connection as much as she could do. It

was, moreover, such a promising thing for her younger daughters, as

Jane’s marrying so greatly must throw them in the way of other rich men;

and, lastly, it was so pleasant at her time of life to be able to

consign her single daughters to the care of their sister, that she might

not be obliged to go into company more than she liked. It was necessary

to make this circumstance a matter of pleasure, because on such

occasions it is the etiquette; but no one was less likely than Mrs.

Bennet to find comfort in staying at home at any period of her life. She

concluded with many good wishes that Lady Lucas might soon be equally

fortunate, though evidently and triumphantly believing there was no

chance of it.
In vain did Elizabeth endeavour to check the rapidity of her mother’s

words, or persuade her to describe her felicity in a less audible

whisper; for to her inexpressible vexation she could perceive that the

chief of it was overheard by Mr. Darcy, who sat opposite to them. Her

mother only scolded her for being nonsensical.
“What is Mr. Darcy to me, pray, that I should be afraid of him? I am

sure we owe him no such particular civility as to be obliged to say

nothing he may not like to hear.”
“For heaven’s sake, madam, speak lower. What advantage can it be to you

to offend Mr. Darcy? You will never recommend yourself to his friend by

so doing.{127}”
Nothing that she could say, however, had any influence. Her mother would

talk of her views in the same intelligible tone. Elizabeth blushed and

blushed again with shame and vexation. She could not help frequently