“I saw you look at me to-day, Lizzy, when my aunt told us of the present report;and I know I appeared distressed.But don't imagine it was from any silly cause.I was only confused for the moment,because I felt that I should be looked at.I do assure you that the news does not affect me either with pleasure or pain.I am glad of one thing,that he comes alone;because we shall see the less of him.Not that I am afraid of myself,but I dread other people's remarks.”
“Well,well,and so Mr.Bingley is coming down,sister,”(for Mrs. Phillips first brought her the news).“Well, so much the better. Not that I care about it,though.He is nothing to us,you know, and I am sure I never want to see him again. But, however, he is very welcome to come to Netherfield,if he likes it.And who knows what may happen? But that is nothing to us.You know, sister,we agreed long ago never to mention a word about it.And so,is it quite certain he is coming?”
“Oh,lord!I don't know.Not these two or three years,perhaps.”
“Yet it is hard,”she sometimes thought,“that this poor man cannot come to a house which he has legally hired,without raising all this speculation!I will leave him to himself.”
“It is no such thing. Lydia does not leave me because she is married,but only because her husband's regiment happens to be so far off. If that had been nearer, she would not have gone so soon.”