“It is no such thing. Lydia does not leave me because she is married,but only because her husband's regiment happens to be so far off. If that had been nearer, she would not have gone so soon.”
The subject which had been so warmly canvassed between their parents, about a twelvemonth ago, was now brought forward again.
Mr.Wickham's adieus were much more affectionate than his wife's.He smiled,looked handsome,and said many pretty things.
“Well,well,and so Mr.Bingley is coming down,sister,”(for Mrs. Phillips first brought her the news).“Well, so much the better. Not that I care about it,though.He is nothing to us,you know, and I am sure I never want to see him again. But, however, he is very welcome to come to Netherfield,if he likes it.And who knows what may happen? But that is nothing to us.You know, sister,we agreed long ago never to mention a word about it.And so,is it quite certain he is coming?”
Miss Bennet had not been able to hear of his coming without changing colour.It was many months since she had mentioned his name to Elizabeth;but now,as soon as they were alone together, she said:
“No,no.You forced me into visiting him last year,and promised, if I went to see him,he should marry one of my daughters.But it ended in nothing,and I will not be sent on a fool's errand again.”
In spite of what her sister declared,and really believed to be her feelings in the expectation of his arrival, Elizabeth could easily perceive that her spirits were affected by it.They were more disturbed,more unequal,than she had often seen them.