 appeared to her merely the suggestion of Caroline's interested
wishes, and she could not for a moment suppose that those wishes, however openly
or artfully spoken, could influence a young man so totally independent of every
one.
    She represented to her sister as forcibly as possible what she felt on the
subject, and had soon the pleasure of seeing its happy effect. Jane's temper was
not desponding, and she was gradually led to hope, though the diffidence of
affection sometimes overcame the hope, that Bingley would return to Netherfield
and answer every wish of her heart.
    They agreed that Mrs. Bennet should only hear of the departure of the
family, without being alarmed on the score of the gentleman's conduct; but even
this partial communication gave her a great deal of concern, and she bewailed it
as exceedingly unlucky that the ladies should happen to go away, just as they
were all getting so intimate together. After lamenting it however at some
length, she had the consolation of thinking that Mr. Bingley would be soon down
again and soon dining at Longbourn, and the conclusion of all was the
comfortable declaration that, though he had been invited only to a family
dinner, she would take care to have two full courses.
 

                                  Chapter XXII

The Bonnets were engaged to dine with the Lucases, and again during the chief of
the day, was Miss Lucas so kind as to listen to Mr. Collins. Elizabeth took an
opportunity of thanking her. »It keeps him in good humour,« said she, »and I am
more obliged to you than I can express.« Charlotte assured her friend of her
satisfaction in being useful, and that it amply repaid her for the little
sacrifice of her time. This was very amiable, but Charlotte's kindness extended
farther than Elizabeth had any conception of; - its object was nothing less,
than to secure her from any return of Mr. Collins's addresses, by engaging them
towards herself. Such was Miss Lucas's scheme; and appearances were so
favourable that when they parted at night, she would have felt almost sure of
success if he had not been to leave Hertfordshire so very soon. But here, she
did injustice to the fire and independence of his character, for it led him to
escape out of Longbourn House the next morning with admirable slyness, and
hasten to Lucas Lodge to throw himself at her feet. He was anxious to avoid the
notice of his cousins, from a conviction that if they saw him depart, they could
not fail to conjecture his design, and he was not willing to have
