Bingleys they both of them frequently stayed so long, that even

Bingley’s good-humour was overcome, and he proceeded so far as to talk

of giving them a hint to be gone.
Miss Bingley was very deeply mortified by Darcy’s marriage; but as she

thought it advisable to retain the right of visiting at Pemberley, she

dropped all her resentment; was fonder than ever of Georgiana, almost as

attentive to Darcy as heretofore, and paid off every arrear of civility

to Elizabeth.
Pemberley was now Georgiana’s home; and the attachment of the sisters

was exactly what Darcy had hoped to see. They were able to love each

other, even as well as they intended. Georgiana had the highest opinion

in the world of Elizabeth; though at first she often listened with an

astonishment bordering on alarm at her lively, sportive manner of

talking to her brother. He, who had always inspired in herself a respect

which almost overcame her affection, she now saw the object of open

pleasantry. Her mind received knowledge which had never before fallen in

her way. By Elizabeth’s instructions she began to comprehend that a

woman may take liberties with her husband, which a brother will not

always allow in a sister more than ten years younger than himself.{476}
Lady Catherine was extremely indignant on the marriage of her nephew;

and as she gave way to all the genuine frankness of her character, in

her reply to the letter which announced its arrangement, she sent him

language so very abusive, especially of Elizabeth, that for some time

all intercourse was at an end. But at length, by Elizabeth’s persuasion,

he was prevailed on to overlook the offence, and seek a reconciliation;

and, after a little further resistance on the part of his aunt, her

resentment gave way, either to her affection for him, or her curiosity

to see how his wife conducted herself; and she condescended to wait on

them at Pemberley, in spite of that pollution which its woods had