She was a little revived,however,by his bringing back his coffee cup himself;and she seized the opportunity of saying:
“Yes,she will remain there till Christmas.”
Mrs. Bennet, in short, was in very great spirits; she had seen enough of Bingley's behaviour to Jane,to be convinced that she would get him at last;and her expectations of advantage to her family,when in a happy humour,were so far beyond reason,that she was quite disappointed at not seeing him there again the next day,to make his proposals.
“Is your sister at Pemberley still?”
“A man who has once been refused!How could I ever be foolish enough to expect a renewal of his love?Is there one among the sex,who would not protest against such a weakness as a second proposal to the same woman?There is no indignity so abhorrent to their feelings!”
When the tea-things were removed,and the card-tables placed, the ladies all rose, and Elizabeth was then hoping to be soon joined by him,when all her views were overthrown by seeing him fall a victim to her mother's rapacity for whist players,and in a few moments after seated with the rest of the party.She now lost every expectation of pleasure.They were confined for the evening at different tables,and she had nothing to hope,but that his eyes were so often turned towards her side of the room, as to make him play as unsuccessfully as herself.