 of former partiality entirely so. She had even learnt to detect,
in the very gentleness which had first delighted her, an affectation and a
sameness to disgust and weary. In his present behaviour to herself, moreover,
she had a fresh source of displeasure, for the inclination he soon testified of
renewing those attentions which had marked the early part of their acquaintance,
could only serve, after what had since passed, to provoke her. She lost all
concern for him in finding herself thus selected as the object of such idle and
frivolous gallantry; and while she steadily repressed it, could not but feel the
reproof contained in his believing, that however long, and for whatever cause,
his attentions had been withdrawn, her vanity would be gratified and her
preference secured at any time by their renewal.
    On the very last day of the regiment's remaining in Meryton, he dined with
others of the officers at Longbourn; and so little was Elizabeth disposed to
part from him in good humour, that on his making some enquiry as to the manner
in which her time had passed at Hunsford, she mentioned Colonel Fitzwilliam's
and Mr. Darcy's having both spent three weeks at Rosings, and asked him if he
were acquainted with the former.
    He looked surprised, displeased, alarmed; but with a moment's recollection
and a returning smile, replied, that he had formerly seen him often; and after
observing that he was a very gentlemanlike man, asked her how she had liked him.
Her answer was warmly in his favour. With an air of indifference he soon
afterwards added, »How long did you say that he was at Rosings?«
    »Nearly three weeks.«
    »And you saw him frequently?«
    »Yes, almost every day.«
    »His manners are very different from his cousin's.«
    »Yes, very different. But I think Mr. Darcy improves on acquaintance.«
    »Indeed!« cried Wickham with a look which did not escape her. »And pray may
I ask?« but checking himself, he added in a gayer tone, »Is it in address that
he improves? Has he deigned to add ought of civility to his ordinary style? for
I dare not hope,« he continued in a lower and more serious tone, »that he is
improved in essentials.«
    »Oh, no!« said Elizabeth. »In essentials, I believe, he is very much what he
ever was.«
    While she spoke, Wickham looked as if scarcely knowing whether to rejoice
over her words, or
