were returned, and to lament over his absence from the Netherfield ball.

He joined them on their entering the town, and attended them to their

aunt’s, where his regret and vexation and the concern of everybody were

well talked over. To Elizabeth, however, he voluntarily acknowledged

that the necessity of his absence had been self-imposed.
“I found,” said he, “as the time drew near, that I had better not meet

Mr. Darcy;—that to be in the same room, the same party with him for so

many hours together, might be more than I could bear, and that scenes

might arise unpleasant to more than myself.”
She highly approved his forbearance; and they had leisure for a full

discussion of it, and for all the commendations which they civilly

bestowed on each other, as Wickham and another officer walked back with

them to Longbourn, and during the walk he particularly attended to her.

His accompanying them was a double advantage: she felt all the

compliment it offered to herself;{148} and it was most acceptable as an

occasion of introducing him to her father and mother.

[Image unavailable.]
“Walked back with them”
[Copyright 1894 by George Allen.]

Soon after their return, a letter was delivered to Miss Bennet; it came

from Netherfield, and was opened immediately. The envelope contained a

sheet of elegant, little, hot-pressed paper, well covered with a lady’s

fair, flowing hand; and Elizabeth saw her sister’s countenance change as

she read it, and saw her dwelling intently on some particular passages.

Jane recollected herself soon; and putting the letter away, tried to

join, with her usual cheerfulness, in the general conversation: but

Elizabeth felt an anxiety on the subject which drew off her attention

even from Wickham; and no sooner had he and his companion taken leave,

than a glance from Jane invited her to follow her upstairs. When they

had gained their own room, Jane, taking out her letter, said, “This is