manner which made it difficult for her to affront anybody, and Darcy had

never been so bewitched by any woman as he was by her. He really

believed that, were it not for the inferiority of her connections, he

should be in some danger.
Miss Bingley saw, or suspected, enough to be jealous; and her great

anxiety for the recovery of her dear friend Jane received some

assistance from her desire of getting rid of Elizabeth.
She often tried to provoke Darcy into disliking her guest, by talking of

their supposed marriage, and planning his happiness in such an alliance.
“I hope,” said she, as they were walking together in{67} the shrubbery the

next day, “you will give your mother-in-law a few hints, when this

desirable event takes place, as to the advantage of holding her tongue;

and if you can compass it, to cure the younger girls of running after

the officers. And, if I may mention so delicate a subject, endeavour to

check that little something, bordering on conceit and impertinence,

which your lady possesses.”

[Image unavailable.]

“No, no; stay where you are”
[Copyright 1894 by George Allen.]

“Have you anything else to propose for my domestic felicity?{68}”
“Oh yes. Do let the portraits of your uncle and aunt Philips be placed

in the gallery at Pemberley. Put them next to your great-uncle the

judge. They are in the same profession, you know, only in different

lines. As for your Elizabeth’s picture, you must not attempt to have it

taken, for what painter could do justice to those beautiful eyes?”
“It would not be easy, indeed, to catch their expression; but their

colour and shape, and the eyelashes, so remarkably fine, might be

copied.”
At that moment they were met from another walk by Mrs. Hurst and

Elizabeth herself.
“I did not know that you intended to walk,” said Miss Bingley, in some

confusion, lest they had been overheard.
“You used us abominably ill,” answered Mrs. Hurst, “running away without

telling us that you were coming out.”