Pride and Prejudice; Sense and Sensibility

Chapter 12 The Sisters Go Home

After the Bennets and sisters had made up their minds, Elizabeth wrote to her mother the next morning, asking her to send a car to fetch them that day.Mrs. Bennet, however, had long intended to keep her two daughters at Netherfield until next Tuesday, so that Jane would stay exactly a week, and she was very reluctant to take them home early, and her reply It didn't quite please them either—at least Elizabeth didn't quite, because she was anxious to get home.Mrs. Bennet wrote that the family carriage would not be free until Tuesday.When she had finished her letter, she added a few words, saying that if Mr. Bingley and his brother and sister would retain them for a few more days, she would be very willing to let them stay.

It's a pity that Elizabeth really didn't want to stay any longer, and she made up her mind that she must go home-she didn't expect the master to keep them, but she was afraid that they would think they were hanging there and refused to go.So she urged Jane to borrow a carriage from Bingley at once.They finally resolved to explain to their hosts that they were leaving Netherfield that morning, and mentioned the borrowing of the carriage.Upon hearing this, the host family expressed concern in every possible way, and repeatedly asked them to stay, hoping that they would stay at least until the next day before leaving.Jane was persuaded by them, and the sisters had to delay another day.

This made Miss Bingley somewhat regret retaining them, as she was jealous and disgusted with Elizabeth, so she could not care about her feelings for Jane.Bingley was very worried when he heard that they were going to leave soon, so he persuaded Jane over and over again, saying that it would not be right for her to leave immediately because she was not fully recovered, but Jane insisted repeatedly because she felt that her idea was right.

But Darcy thinks this is good news, he thinks Elizabeth has stayed at Netherfield Manor long enough.He felt that he disliked her more than he liked her, and on the one hand, Miss Bingley kept teasing her, and on the other hand, she kept making fun of him.He made a quick decision and decided to make himself very careful. At present, he must not show any sign of admiration for her at all—not to show any sign, lest she have unreasonable thoughts and even use it to manipulate Darcy. lifelong happiness.He felt that if she really had that kind of heart, then his attitude towards her yesterday must have played a decisive role-making her either have a better impression of him, or completely disgust him.Having made up his mind, he didn't say ten words to her all Saturday.Although he had been alone with her for half an hour that day, he read the book "fairly and aboveboard" and didn't even look at her.

The Bennet sisters took their leave immediately after the Sunday morning prayers, to the delight of almost every host.Miss Bingley suddenly became more courteous to Elizabeth, and suddenly more affectionate to Jane.When they parted, she first told Jane how much she looked forward to seeing her again at Longbourne, or at Netherfield, and then embraced her very affectionately, and even shook Elizabeth's hand.Elizabeth happily said goodbye to them one by one.

When they got home, their mother welcomed them with less enthusiasm.Mrs. Bennet marveled at their early return, and kept complaining of all the trouble they had caused the family, and that Jane was most likely to have another cold.Their father was very happy to see his two daughters coming home, though he said nothing joyful.He had long realized the importance of these two daughters in the family - when the family got together to chat at night, if Jane and Elizabeth were not there, it would be really boring, even meaningless.

They found that Mary was still immersed in the study of harmony and human nature as before. She took out some new notes for them to appreciate, and also expressed some new insights into the old morality.Catherine and Lydia had some news, too, but of a different character.According to them, much has happened in the militia since last Wednesday, and many new stories have been added; several officers have recently dined with their uncles; get married.

(End of this chapter)