 between them.
    Mrs. Bennet still continued to wonder and repine at his returning no more,
and though a day seldom passed in which Elizabeth did not account for it
clearly, there seemed little chance of her ever considering it with less
perplexity. Her daughter endeavoured to convince her of what she did not believe
herself, that his attentions to Jane had been merely the effect of a common and
transient liking, which ceased when he saw her no more; but though the
probability of the statement was admitted at the time, she had the same story to
repeat every day. Mrs. Bennet's best comfort was, that Mr. Bingley must be down
again in the summer.
    Mr. Bennet treated the matter differently. »So, Lizzy,« said he one day,
»your sister is crossed in love I find. I congratulate her. Next to being
married, a girl likes to be crossed in love a little now and then. It is
something to think of, and gives her a sort of distinction among her companions.
When is your turn to come? You will hardly bear to be long outdone by Jane. Now
is your time. Here are officers enough at Meryton to disappoint all the young
ladies in the country. Let Wickham be your man. He is a pleasant fellow, and
would jilt you creditably.«
    »Thank you, Sir, but a less agreeable man would satisfy me. We must not all
expect Jane's good fortune.«
    »True,« said Mr. Bennet, »but it is a comfort to think that, whatever of
that kind may befal you, you have an affectionate mother who will always make
the most of it.«
    Mr. Wickham's society was of material service in dispelling the gloom, which
the late perverse occurrences had thrown on many of the Longbourn family. They
saw him often, and to his other recommendations was now added that of general
unreserve. The whole of what Elizabeth had already heard, his claims on Mr.
Darcy, and all that he had suffered from him, was now openly acknowledged and
publicly canvassed; and every body was pleased to think how much they had always
disliked Mr. Darcy before they had known any thing of the matter.
    Miss Bennet was the only creature who could suppose there might be any
extenuating circumstances in the case, unknown to the society of Hertfordshire;
her mild and steady candour always pleaded for allowances, and urged the
possibility of mistakes - but by everybody else Mr. Darcy was condemned as the
worst of men.
 

                                   Chapter II

After a week spent in professions
