with less perplexity. Her daughter endeavoured to convince her of what

she did not believe herself, that his attentions to Jane had been merely

the effect of a common and transient liking, which ceased when he saw

her no more; but though the probability of the statement was admitted at

the time, she had the same story to repeat every day. Mrs. Bennet’s best

comfort was, that Mr. Bingley must be down again in the summer.
Mr. Bennet treated the matter differently. “So, Lizzy,” said he, one

day, “your sister is crossed in love, I find. I congratulate her. Next

to being married, a girl likes to{174} be crossed in love a little now and

then. It is something to think of, and gives her a sort of distinction

among her companions. When is your turn to come? You will hardly bear to

be long outdone by Jane. Now is your time. Here are officers enough at

Meryton to disappoint all the young ladies in the country. Let Wickham

be your man. He is a pleasant fellow, and would jilt you creditably.”
“Thank you, sir, but a less agreeable man would satisfy me. We must not

all expect Jane’s good fortune.”
“True,” said Mr. Bennet; “but it is a comfort to think that, whatever of

that kind may befall you, you have an affectionate mother who will

always make the most of it.”
Mr. Wickham’s society was of material service in dispelling the gloom

which the late perverse occurrences had thrown on many of the Longbourn

family. They saw him often, and to his other recommendations was now

added that of general unreserve. The whole of what Elizabeth had already

heard, his claims on Mr. Darcy, and all that he had suffered from him,

was now openly acknowledged and publicly canvassed; and everybody was

pleased to think how much they had always disliked Mr. Darcy before they

had known anything of the matter.
Miss Bennet was the only creature who could suppose there might be any

extenuating circumstances in the case unknown to the society of