affection of their amiable neighbour, Miss Lucas, and then explained

that it was merely with the view of enjoying her society that he had

been so ready to close with their kind wish of seeing him again at

Longbourn, whither he hoped to be able to return on Monday fortnight;

for Lady Catherine, he added, so heartily approved his marriage, that

she wished it to take place as soon as possible, which he trusted would

be an unanswerable argument with his amiable Charlotte to name an early

day for making him the happiest of men.
Mr. Collins’s return into Hertfordshire was no longer a matter of

pleasure to Mrs. Bennet. On the contrary, she was as much disposed to

complain of it as her husband. It was very strange that he should come

to Longbourn instead of to Lucas Lodge; it was also very inconvenient

and exceedingly troublesome. She hated having visitors in the house

while her health was so indifferent, and lovers were of all people the

most disagreeable. Such were the gentle murmurs of Mrs. Bennet, and they

gave way{165} only to the greater distress of Mr. Bingley’s continued

absence.
Neither Jane nor Elizabeth were comfortable on this subject. Day after

day passed away without bringing any other tidings of him than the

report which shortly prevailed in Meryton of his coming no more to

Netherfield the whole winter; a report which highly incensed Mrs.

Bennet, and which she never failed to contradict as a most scandalous

falsehood.
Even Elizabeth began to fear—not that Bingley was indifferent—but that

his sisters would be successful in keeping him away. Unwilling as she

was to admit an idea so destructive to Jane’s happiness, and so

dishonourable to the stability of her lover, she could not prevent its

frequently recurring. The united efforts of his two unfeeling sisters,

and of his overpowering friend, assisted by the attractions of Miss

Darcy and the amusements of London, might be too much, she feared, for