 disposition a tendency to some particular
evil, a natural defect, which not even the best education can overcome.«
    »And your defect is a propensity to hate every body.«
    »And yours,« he replied with a smile, »is wilfully to misunderstand them.«
    »Do let us have a little music,« - cried Miss Bingley, tired of a
conversation in which she had no share. - »Louisa, you will not mind my waking
Mr. Hurst.«
    Her sister made not the smallest objection, and the piano forte was opened,
and Darcy, after a few moments recollection, was not sorry for it. He began to
feel the danger of paying Elizabeth too much attention.
 

                                  Chapter XII

In consequence of an agreement between the sisters, Elizabeth wrote the next
morning to her mother, to beg that the carriage might be sent for them in the
course of the day. But Mrs. Bennet, who had calculated on her daughters
remaining at Netherfield till the following Tuesday, which would exactly finish
Jane's week, could not bring herself to receive them with pleasure before. Her
answer, therefore, was not propitious, at least not to Elizabeth's wishes, for
she was impatient to get home. Mrs. Bennet sent them word that they could not
possibly have the carriage before Tuesday; and in her postscript it was added,
that if Mr. Bingley and his sister pressed them to stay longer, she could spare
them very well. - Against staying longer, however, Elizabeth was positively
resolved - nor did she much expect it would be asked; and fearful, on the
contrary, as being considered as intruding themselves needlessly long, she urged
Jane to borrow Mr. Bingley's carriage immediately, and at length it was settled
that their original design of leaving Netherfield that morning should be
mentioned, and the request made.
    The communication excited many professions of concern; and enough was said
of wishing them to stay at least till the following day to work on Jane; and
till the morrow, their going was deferred. Miss Bingley was then sorry that she
had proposed the delay, for her jealousy and dislike of one sister much exceeded
her affection for the other.
    The master of the house heard with real sorrow that they were to go so soon,
and repeatedly tried to persuade Miss Bennet that it would not be safe for her -
that she was not enough recovered; but Jane was firm where she felt herself to
be right.
    To Mr. Darcy it was welcome intelligence - Elizabeth had been at Netherfield
long enough. She attracted him more
