 the cold and ceremonious politeness of her curtsey and address
to his friend.
    Elizabeth particularly, who knew that her mother owed to the latter the
preservation of her favourite daughter from irremediable infamy, was hurt and
distressed to a most painful degree by a distinction so ill applied.
    Darcy, after enquiring of her how Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner did, a question
which she could not answer without confusion, said scarcely any thing. He was
not seated by her; perhaps that was the reason of his silence; but it had not
been so in Derbyshire. There he had talked to her friends, when he could not to
herself. But now several minutes elapsed, without bringing the sound of his
voice; and when occasionally, unable to resist the impulse of curiosity, she
raised her eyes to his face, she as often found him looking at Jane, as at
herself, and frequently on no object but the ground. More thoughtfulness, and
less anxiety to please than when they last met, were plainly expressed. She was
disappointed, and angry with herself for being so.
    »Could I expect it to be otherwise!« said she. »Yet why did he come?«
    She was in no humour for conversation with any one but himself; and to him
she had hardly courage to speak.
    She enquired after his sister, but could do no more.
    »It is a long time, Mr. Bingley, since you went away,« said Mrs. Bennet.
    He readily agreed to it.
    »I began to be afraid you would never come back again. People did say, you
meant to quit the place entirely at Michaelmas; but, however, I hope it is not
true. A great many changes have happened in the neighbourhood, since you went
away. Miss Lucas is married and settled. And one of my own daughters. I suppose
you have heard of it; indeed, you must have seen it in the papers. It was in the
Times and the Courier, I know; though it was not put in as it ought to be. It
was only said, Lately, George Wickham, Esq. to Miss Lydia Bennet, without there
being a syllable said of her father, or the place where she lived, or any thing.
It was my brother Gardiner's drawing up too, and I wonder how he came to make
such an awkward business of it. Did you see it?«
    Bingley replied that he did, and made his congratulations. Elizabeth dared
not lift up her eyes. How Mr. Darcy looked, therefore, she
