feared most to fail, she was most sure of success, for those to{321} whom

she endeavoured to give pleasure were pre-possessed in her favour.

Bingley was ready, Georgiana was eager, and Darcy determined, to be

pleased.

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“To make herself agreeable to all”
[Copyright 1894 by George Allen.]


In seeing Bingley, her thoughts naturally flew to her sister; and oh!

how ardently did she long to know whether any of his were directed in a

like manner. Sometimes she could fancy that he talked less than on

former occasions, and once or twice pleased herself with the notion

that, as he looked at her, he was trying to trace a resemblance. But,

though this might be imaginary, she could not be deceived as to his

behaviour{322} to Miss Darcy, who had been set up as a rival to Jane. No

look appeared on either side that spoke particular regard. Nothing

occurred between them that could justify the hopes of his sister. On

this point she was soon satisfied; and two or three little circumstances

occurred ere they parted, which, in her anxious interpretation, denoted

a recollection of Jane, not untinctured by tenderness, and a wish of

saying more that might lead to the mention of her, had he dared. He

observed to her, at a moment when the others were talking together, and

in a tone which had something of real regret, that it “was a very long

time since he had had the pleasure of seeing her;” and, before she could

reply, he added, “It is above eight months. We have not met since the

26th of November, when we were all dancing together at Netherfield.”
Elizabeth was pleased to find his memory so exact; and he afterwards

took occasion to ask her, when unattended to by any of the rest, whether

all her sisters were at Longbourn. There was not much in the question,

nor in the preceding remark; but there was a look and a manner which

gave them meaning.
It was not often that she could turn her eyes on Mr. Darcy himself; but