She was in hopes that the evening would afford some opportunity of bringing them together;that the whole of the visit would not pass away without enabling them to enter into something more of conversation than the mere ceremonious salutation attending his entrance.Anxious and uneasy,the period which passed in the drawing-room, before the gentlemen came, was wearisome and dull to a degree that almost made her uncivil.She looked forward to their entrance as the point on which all her chance of pleasure for the evening must depend.
“I think you are in very great danger of making him as much in love with you as ever.”
She could settle it in no way that gave her pleasure.
They did not see the gentlemen again till Tuesday; and Mrs. Bennet,in the meanwhile,was giving way to all the happy schemes, which the good humour and common politeness of Bingley,in half an hour's visit,had revived.
As soon as they were gone,Elizabeth walked out to recover her spirits;or in other words,to dwell without interruption on those subjects that must deaden them more. Mr. Darcy's behaviour astonished and vexed her.
“Now,”said she,“that this first meeting is over,I feel perfectly easy.I know my own strength,and I shall never be embarrassed again by his coming. I am glad he dines here on Tuesday. It will then be publicly seen that, on both sides, we meet only as common and indifferent acquaintance.”