Then taking the disengaged arm of Mr. Darcy, she left Elizabeth to walk

by herself. The path just admitted three. Mr. Darcy felt their rudeness,

and immediately said,—
“This walk is not wide enough for our party. We had better go into the

avenue.”
But Elizabeth, who had not the least inclination to remain with them,

laughingly answered,—
“No, no; stay where you are. You are charmingly grouped, and appear to

uncommon advantage. The picturesque would be spoilt by admitting a

fourth. Good-bye.”
She then ran gaily off, rejoicing, as she rambled about, in the hope of

being at home again in a day or two. Jane was already so much recovered

as to intend leaving her room for a couple of hours that evening.{69}

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Piling up the fire.


CHAPTER XI.

WHEN the ladies removed after dinner Elizabeth ran up to her sister, and

seeing her well guarded from cold, attended her into the drawing-room,

where she was welcomed by her two friends with many professions of

pleasure; and Elizabeth had never seen them so agreeable as they were

during the hour which passed before the gentlemen appeared. Their powers

of conversation were considerable. They could describe an entertainment

with accuracy, relate an anecdote with humour, and laugh at their

acquaintance with spirit.
But when the gentlemen entered, Jane was no longer{70} the first object;

Miss Bingley’s eyes were instantly turned towards Darcy, and she had

something to say to him before he had advanced many steps. He addressed

himself directly to Miss Bennet with a polite congratulation; Mr. Hurst

also made her a slight bow, and said he was “very glad;” but diffuseness

and warmth remained for Bingley’s salutation. He was full of joy and

attention. The first half hour was spent in piling up the fire, lest she

should suffer from the change of room; and she removed, at his desire,

to the other side of the fireplace, that she might be farther from the