from Caroline Bingley: what it{149} contains has surprised me a good deal.

The whole party have left Netherfield by this time, and are on their way

to town; and without any intention of coming back again. You shall hear

what she says.”
She then read the first sentence aloud, which comprised the information

of their having just resolved to follow their brother to town directly,

and of their meaning to dine that day in Grosvenor Street, where Mr.

Hurst had a house. The next was in these words:—“‘I do not pretend to

regret anything I shall leave in Hertfordshire except your society, my

dearest friend; but we will hope, at some future period, to enjoy many

returns of that delightful intercourse we have known, and in the

meanwhile may lessen the pain of separation by a very frequent and most

unreserved correspondence. I depend on you for that.’” To these

high-flown expressions Elizabeth listened with all the insensibility of

distrust; and though the suddenness of their removal surprised her, she

saw nothing in it really to lament: it was not to be supposed that their

absence from Netherfield would prevent Mr. Bingley’s being there; and as

to the loss of their society, she was persuaded that Jane must soon

cease to regard it in the enjoyment of his.
“It is unlucky,” said she, after a short pause, “that you should not be

able to see your friends before they leave the country. But may we not

hope that the period of future happiness, to which Miss Bingley looks

forward, may arrive earlier than she is aware, and that the delightful

intercourse you have known as friends will be renewed with yet greater

satisfaction as sisters? Mr. Bingley will not be detained in London by

them.”
“Caroline decidedly says that none of the party will return into

Hertfordshire this winter. I will read it to you.{150}
“‘When my brother left us yesterday, he imagined that the business which

took him to London might be concluded in three or four days; but as we