“Yes; and they have another, who lives somewhere near Cheapside.”
“That is capital,” added her sister; and they both laughed heartily.
“If they had uncles enough to fill all Cheapside,” cried Bingley, “it

would not make them one jot less agreeable.”
“But it must very materially lessen their chance of marrying men of any

consideration in the world,” replied Darcy.
To this speech Bingley made no answer; but his sisters gave it their

hearty assent, and indulged their mirth for some time at the expense of

their dear friend’s vulgar relations.
With a renewal of tenderness, however, they repaired to her room on

leaving the dining-parlour, and sat with her till summoned to coffee.

She was still very poorly, and Elizabeth would not quit her at all, till

late in the evening, when she had the comfort of seeing her asleep, and

when it appeared to her rather right than pleasant that she should go

down stairs herself. On entering the drawing-room, she found the whole

party at loo, and was immediately invited to join them; but suspecting

them to be playing high, she declined it, and making her sister the

excuse, said she would amuse herself, for the short time she could stay

below, with a book. Mr. Hurst looked at her with astonishment.
“Do you prefer reading to cards?” said he; “that is rather singular.”
“Miss Eliza Bennet,” said Miss Bingley, “despises cards. She is a great

reader, and has no pleasure in anything else.”
“I deserve neither such praise nor such censure,” cried{49} Elizabeth; “I

am not a great reader, and I have pleasure in many things.”
“In nursing your sister I am sure you have pleasure,” said Bingley; “and

I hope it will soon be increased by seeing her quite well.”
Elizabeth thanked him from her heart, and then walked towards a table

where a few books were lying. He immediately offered to fetch her

others; all that his library afforded.
“And I wish my collection were larger for your benefit and my own