At night she opened her heart to Jane.Though suspicion was very far from Miss Bennet's general habits, she was absolutely incredulous here.
As soon as they entered,Bingley looked at her so expressively, and shook hands with such warmth,as left no doubt of his good information; and he soon afterwards said aloud,“Mrs. Bennet, have you no more lanes hereabouts in which Lizzy may lose her way again to-day?”
Another entreaty that she would be serious,however,produced the desired effect; and she soon satisfied Jane by her solemn assurances of attachment.When convinced on that article,Miss Bennet had nothing further to wish.
Jane looked at her doubtingly.“Oh,Lizzy!it cannot be.I know how much you dislike him.”
“Good Heaven!can it be really so!Yet now I must believe you,”cried Jane.“My dear,dear Lizzy,I would―I do congratulate you―but are you certain?forgive the question―are you quite certain that you can be happy with him?”
“Good gracious!”cried Mrs.Bennet,as she stood at a window the next morning,“if that disagreeable Mr.Darcy is not coming here again with our dear Bingley!What can he mean by being so tiresome as to be always coming here?I had no notion but he would go a-shooting, or something or other, and not disturb us with his company.What shall we do with him? Lizzy, you must walk out with him again,that he may not be in Bingley's way.”