IN consequence of an agreement between the sisters, Elizabeth wrote the

next morning to her mother, to beg that the carriage might be sent for

them in the course of the day. But Mrs. Bennet, who had calculated on

her daughters remaining at Netherfield till the following Tuesday, which

would exactly finish Jane’s week, could not bring herself to receive

them with pleasure before. Her answer, therefore, was not propitious, at

least not to Elizabeth’s wishes, for she was impatient to get home. Mrs.

Bennet sent them word that they could not possibly have the carriage

before Tuesday; and in her postscript it was added, that if Mr. Bingley

and his sister pressed them to stay longer, she could spare them very

well. Against staying longer, however, Elizabeth was positively{76}

resolved—nor did she much expect it would be asked; and fearful, on the

contrary, of being considered as intruding themselves needlessly long,

she urged Jane to borrow Mr. Bingley’s carriage immediately, and at

length it was settled that their original design of leaving Netherfield

that morning should be mentioned, and the request made.
The communication excited many professions of concern; and enough was

said of wishing them to stay at least till the following day to work on

Jane; and till the morrow their going was deferred. Miss Bingley was

then sorry that she had proposed the delay; for her jealousy and dislike

of one sister much exceeded her affection for the other.
The master of the house heard with real sorrow that they were to go so

soon, and repeatedly tried to persuade Miss Bennet that it would not be

safe for her—that she was not enough recovered; but Jane was firm where

she felt herself to be right.
To Mr. Darcy it was welcome intelligence: Elizabeth had been at

Netherfield long enough. She attracted him more than he liked; and Miss

Bingley was uncivil to her and more teasing than usual to himself. He