any dislike of the proposal, and seeing in her husband, who was fond of

society, a perfect willingness to accept it, she ventured to engage for

her attendance, and the day after the next was fixed on.
Bingley expressed great pleasure in the certainty of seeing Elizabeth

again, having still a great deal to say to her, and many inquiries to

make after all their Hertfordshire friends. Elizabeth, construing all

this into a wish{324} of hearing her speak of her sister, was pleased; and

on this account, as well as some others, found herself, when their

visitors left them, capable of considering the last half hour with some

satisfaction, though while it was passing the enjoyment of it had been

little. Eager to be alone, and fearful of inquiries or hints from her

uncle and aunt, she stayed with them only long enough to hear their

favourable opinion of Bingley, and then hurried away to dress.
But she had no reason to fear Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner’s curiosity; it was

not their wish to force her communication. It was evident that she was

much better acquainted with Mr. Darcy than they had before any idea of;

it was evident that he was very much in love with her. They saw much to

interest, but nothing to justify inquiry.
Of Mr. Darcy it was now a matter of anxiety to think well; and, as far

as their acquaintance reached, there was no fault to find. They could

not be untouched by his politeness; and had they drawn his character

from their own feelings and his servant’s report, without any reference

to any other account, the circle in Hertfordshire to which he was known

would not have recognized it for Mr. Darcy. There was now an interest,

however, in believing the housekeeper; and they soon became sensible

that the authority of a servant, who had known him since he was four

years old, and whose own manners indicated respectability, was not to be

hastily rejected. Neither had anything occurred in the intelligence of