Pride and Prejudice

Chapter 63 (1)
Wickham had learned enough of the conversation to never again bring up the subject, either to embarrass himself or to annoy his dear sister Elizabeth, who was also pleased to find that she had just said Words were enough to keep him silent.

The day was drawing near for his and Lydia's departure, and Mrs. Bennet was obliged to bear the pain of this separation, which was to last at least a year, because her husband strongly disapproved of her having the whole family go. Newcastle one living plan.

"Oh! my dear Lydia," she cried, "when shall we meet again?"

"My God! How would I know? Maybe two or three years from now."

"Write to mother often, my dear."

"I'll do my best. Married girls don't have much time to write letters, you know. My sisters can write for me. They have nothing else to do anyway."

Wickham's farewell was much more cordial than his wife's.He was full of smiles, suave and romantic, and said many beautiful words.

"He's the most tactful young man I've ever met," said Mr. Bennet just after they had left. "He could smirk, he could smile, he could flatter us all. I couldn't be more proud of him." Proud. I have found a more precious son-in-law than even Sir William Lucas's."

The departure of her daughter made Mrs. Bennet unhappy for several days.

"I often think," she said, "that there is nothing more sad than parting from relatives and friends. How deserted a person is without them."

"You see, mother, that's what it's like to marry a daughter," said Elizabeth. "It's a good thing you have four other girls who don't have masters, and that must make things easier for you."

"I don't feel bad about it. Lydia didn't leave me because she was married, but because her husband's regiment happened to be far away. If they were nearer, she wouldn't go away so soon."

However, Mrs. Bennet's anguish caused by the incident was soon dispelled, for a piece of news was being circulated which revived hope in her heart.The Netherfield housekeeper had orders that her master would be returning in a day or two, and that she would be hunting here for a few weeks, and that she should get ready.Mrs. Bennet became almost restless at the news.She looked at Jane, now laughing, now shaking her head.

"Well, then, Mr. Bingley is coming, sister," said Mrs. Bennet to her sister, Mrs. Philip. "Oh, that is of course very good. But I don't care too much about it." You know, he's cut off from our family, and I dare say I never want to see him again. But, having said that, he'd still be very welcome if he'd come to Netherfield. Who Knowing how things will develop in the future? But this has nothing to do with our family. You know, sister, we agreed a long time ago not to mention this matter again. Will he come?"

"You may believe that," said the other, "for Mrs Nichols was in Meryton last night; I saw her pass the street, and I ran out to inquire of her; and she told me it was true. It is true. Mr. Bingley will be here on Thursday at the latest, which is likely to be Wednesday. She is going to the butcher's to order some meat for Wednesday, and she has six ducks ready to be slaughtered."

Miss Bennet blushed when she heard that Mr. Bingley was coming.She had not mentioned his name to Elizabeth again for some months; but this time, as soon as the sisters were left alone, she said:

"I saw you looking at me today, Lizzy, when my aunt told us the news; I knew I looked awkward. But don't think I have any foolish thoughts. I was only flustered for a moment, because Feels like everyone is staring at me. I assure you, this news is neither pain nor joy. I'm only happy for one thing, and that's that he's coming alone this time; we don't have to I've seen him more. It's not that I'm afraid of meeting him, but I'm worried about other people's gossip."

Elizabeth did not know what to think of the matter.Had she not seen Bingley in Derbyshire, she might have supposed that he had come for no other purpose than hunting; but she still thought he had feelings for Jane, and what she could not be sure of now was that he Did he get the permission of his friends to come this time, or did he boldly decide to come by himself.

She could not help thinking to herself sometimes: "It's hard enough for the poor man to come to his rented house and make people talk about it! I'd better leave him alone."

Notwithstanding her sister's declarations of her own feelings towards Bingley's arrival, it was not difficult for Elizabeth to see that her sister's feelings were greatly affected by it.She was more restless and restless than usual.

The subject, which had been discussed between the Bennets a year earlier, was now being brought up again.

"As soon as Mr. Bingley arrives, my dear," said Mrs. Bennet, "of course you will call on him."

His wife explained to him that such visits as his neighbors were absolutely necessary on Bingley's return to Dayfield.

"That kind of courtship is what I loathe," said Mr. Bennet. "If he wants to make friends with us, he will come. He knows where we live. Sees off the neighbor when he leaves, and sees him off when he comes back." Welcome again, I don't want to spend my time on this."

"Well, I don't care what you say. All I know is that it would be very rude of you not to call on him. However, that doesn't prevent me from inviting him to my house for dinner. My mind is set. We must Mrs. Long and the Golding family were invited earlier, including our family, there are thirteen people, and there is just a place for him."

Relieved by her resolution, she was less apprehensive of her husband's insolence; though she was still a little less apprehensive when she thought that, because of his insolence, the neighbors would see Mr. Bingley before them. Willingly.

As Mr. Bingley's coming approached, Jane said to Elizabeth: "His coming is beginning to make me feel bad. It has nothing to do with me; I can care less if I see him, but I can't stand people." Mother's good intentions; but she never knew what pain she had caused me to suffer. I shall be happy when he is no longer living in Netherfeld!"

"I should like to be able to say something to comfort you," said Elizabeth, "but I am utterly helpless. You must have felt it; and those words which I usually exhort a man in trouble to be patient, are here." It doesn't work because you're always patient."

Mr. Bingley came at last.Mrs. Bennet, by enlisting the help of her servants, made an early effort to get the news, but it seemed to prolong her anxious waiting.She counted the days of delay before her invitation was sent; disappointed not to see him before then.But on the morning of his third day in Hertfordshire she saw him from the dressing-room window as he rode into the paddock and came up to her house.

She quickly called her daughters to share in the joy.Jane sat at the table without moving; Elizabeth, to please her mother, went to look at the window, but, when she saw Mr. Darcy with him, sat down again to her sister.

"There's another one with Mr. Bingley, mother," said Kitty. "Who could he be?"

"His friend, I suppose, my dear. I don't know myself."

"Ah!" exclaimed Kitty, "much like the man he used to be with all the time. What's his name. That tall, very haughty fellow."

"My God! It's Mr. Darcy!—I'm sure of it. Oh, no doubt any of Mr. Bingley's friends would be welcome here; otherwise I should say I hate seeing the man." .”

(End of this chapter)