Elizabeth, on her side, had much to do.She wanted to ascertain the feelings of each of her visitors; she wanted to compose her own,and to make herself agreeable to all;and in the latter object, where she feared most to fail, she was most sure of success,for those to whom she endeavoured to give pleasure were prepossessed in her favour. Bingley was ready,Georgiana was eager, and Darcy determined,to be pleased.
Miss Darcy and her brother appeared, and this formidable introduction took place.With astonishment did Elizabeth see that her new acquaintance was at least as much embarrassed as herself. Since her being at Lambton, she had heard that Miss Darcy was exceedingly proud; but the observation of a very few minutes convinced her that she was only exceedingly shy. She found it difficult to obtain even a word from her beyond a monosyllable.
They had not been long together before Mr.Darcy told her that Bingley was also coming to wait on her;and she had barely time to express her satisfaction,and prepare for such a visitor,when Bingley's quick step was heard on the stairs,and in a moment he entered the room.All Elizabeth's anger against him had been long done away;but had she still felt any,it could hardly have stood its ground against the unaffected cordiality with which he expressed himself on seeing her again. He inquired in a friendly, though general way,after her family,and looked and spoke with the same good-humoured ease that he had ever done.