 saw were bent the same way, and she
determined not to venture near her, lest she might hear too much. When they sat
down to supper, therefore, she considered it a most unlucky perverseness which
placed them within one of each other; and deeply was she vexed to find that her
mother was talking to that one person (Lady Lucas) freely, openly, and of
nothing else but of her expectation that Jane would be soon married to Mr.
Bingley. - It was an animating subject, and Mrs. Bennet seemed incapable of
fatigue while enumerating the advantages of the match. His being such a charming
young man, and so rich, and living but three miles from them, were the first
points of self-gratulation; and then it was such a comfort to think how fond the
two sisters were of Jane, and to be certain that they must desire the connection
as much as she could do. It was, moreover, such a promising thing for her
younger daughters, as Jane's marrying so greatly must throw them in the way of
other rich men; and lastly, it was so pleasant at her time of life to be able to
consign her single daughters to the care of their sister, that she might not be
obliged to go into company more than she liked. It was necessary to make this
circumstance a matter of pleasure, because on such occasions it is the
etiquette; but no one was less likely than Mrs. Bennet to find comfortin staying
at home at any period of her life. She concluded with many good wishes that Lady
Lucas might soon be equally fortunate, though evidently and triumphantly
believing there was no chance of it.
    In vain did Elizabeth endeavour to check the rapidity of her mother's words,
or persuade her to describe her felicity in a less audible whisper; for to her
inexpressible vexation, she could perceive that the chief of it was overheard by
Mr. Darcy, who sat opposite to them. Her mother only scolded her for being
nonsensical.
    »What is Mr. Darcy to me, pray, that I should be afraid of him? I am sure we
owe him no such particular civility as to be obliged to say nothing he may not
like to hear.«
    »For heaven's sake, madam, speak lower. - What advantage can it be to you to
offend Mr. Darcy? - You will never recommend yourself to his friend by so
doing.«
    Nothing that she could say, however, had any influence. Her mother would
talk of her views in the same intelligible tone. Elizabeth blushed and
