“So,” he murmured.
Mr. Wickham did not move.
Darcy and Elizabeth passed on, wholly unconscious of the observation.
And though nothing in their manner could have drawn notice from the indifferent, there was, to a watchful eye, an understanding not easily mistaken.
Chapter 21
Interrupted Certainties
On Wednesday, at about one o’clock, Mr. Bingley returned to Netherfield.
His journey from London had been made with more haste than comfort, and though his spirits were naturally inclined to cheerfulness, there was in his manner, upon entering the house, a degree of thoughtfulness not usually observed in him.
He had expected a warmer reception.
Darcy was not there; nor were his sisters immediately to be found. He was left alone for several minutes before they joined him.
“Charles!” cried Miss Bingley, entering with animation. “At last, you are returned.”
“I am,” he replied, smiling. “And very glad to be so.”
Mrs. Hurst welcomed him with composed civility, but Caroline remained standing, her attention fixed upon him.
“You have been much engaged in town, I suppose,” she said.
“I had some business to conclude.”
She exchanged a glance with her sister.
“Charles, pray sit down. Louisa and I wish to speak with you.”
He laughed lightly. “That sounds serious. Is anything amiss?”
“Nothing – if it is properly understood in time.”
He sat, though with some curiosity.
“We think it best,” Caroline continued, “that we should return to town… and that you should accompany us.”
Bingley looked at her in surprise. “Return? But why? Are we not very comfortably settled here? And where is Darcy? Does he think the same?”
“Mr. Darcy is not our concern at present.”
“He is out,” said Mrs. Hurst. “He will return later.”
“To be perfectly candid,” Caroline went on, “we would have followed you to town ourselves, had we not been persuaded to remain a little longer.”
“But why should you wish to leave at all?” Bingley asked. “I see nothing here to make us dissatisfied.”
Caroline paused, then said more deliberately, “Because, Charles, you have been placing yourself in a situation which cannot be continued without consequence.”
Bingley looked at her, surprised. “You have noticed.”
“Of course we have. And so, I assure you, has everyone else.”
Mrs. Hurst added, more gently, “We speak only from concern, Charles.”
