“I must be in London for a few days,” said he, with evident reluctance. “Business of a very dull nature, I assure you. But I shall return as soon as it is concluded. And when I do, may I hope to pay my respects at Longbourn? To call onyou?”
Jane coloured slightly, though she met the question with her usual gentle composure.
“You will always be welcome there, sir.”
“That is a very kind answer, but – it is not quite the one I hoped for. I know I am welcome at Longbourn. Your mother and family are hospitality itself. My question concerns whetheryouwould welcome me.”
“I had hoped you would know the answer to that, Mr. Bingley. But if you require me to say it plainly, yes, I would be very happy if you called on me.”
“Then I shall depend upon it,” he replied warmly. “Indeed, I should think myself most unfortunate if such a visit were unwelcome.”
Jane’s smile, though modest, was unmistakably pleased, and their conversation continued in the same quiet spirit, each seeming perfectly satisfied with the society of the other.
Meanwhile, Mr. Collins, who had been waiting with visible impatience for a suitable pause in the general silence, at last drew himself up with an air of preparation.
“Permit me, dear madam,” he began, addressing Mrs. Bennet with solemn gravity, “to express, in the most respectful and heartfelt terms, my admiration of the elegance and liberality displayed this evening by our distinguished hosts…”
“Mr. Collins,” said Elizabeth quietly, though with unmistakable firmness, “I believe Mr. Bingley and his sisters are already well aware of your sentiments.”
Mr. Collins stopped short.
Darcy, who had been watching the exchange, shook his head almost imperceptibly, a small smile touching his lips. Miss Elizabeth Bennet, it seemed, had at last lost patience. He could hardly blame her.
The interruption was received with a degree of composure that would have done credit to a far less self-important gentleman. Yet, the stiffness with which he bowed betrayed a mortification he was unwilling to confess.
“Your modesty does you honour, Cousin Elizabeth,” he replied. “Still, expressions of gratitude are never misplaced.”
Elizabeth made no answer, and he found himself obliged to abandon his oration.
With marked deliberation, he then crossed the room and stationed himself beside Mary Bennet, who received the attention with a shy but gratified smile.
Elizabeth could not doubt that the movement was intended as a silent reproach.
Mrs. Bennet, unwilling to surrender the field entirely to silence, renewed her efforts at conversation.
“I am sure, Miss Bingley, it has been a most elegant ball,” she declared. “The supper alone would have done credit to the finest house in town. I protest I have rarely seen such a variety of dishes – though perhaps London has accustomed you to these things.”
Miss Bingley inclined her head but did not speak.
Mrs. Bennet continued, perfectly undeterred. “And the music! My daughter Lizzy was quite delighted with it. Were the musicians from Meryton? Or perhaps from London?”
Again, Miss Bingley remained silent.
It was Mr. Darcy who answered.
“They were engaged from London, madam,” said he politely. “Mr. Bingley was determined that nothing should be wanting to the comfort of his guests.”
Mrs. Bennet turned to him at once, gratified by the attention.
“Indeed, sir! I declare it was exceedingly well judged.”
Darcy inclined his head with quiet civility.
Across the room, Elizabeth caught his eye. She glanced toward him and gave the smallest inclination of her head, her look conveying a quiet thanks that words could scarcely have improved.
Darcy understood her perfectly. It was not the first time he had observed her intervene where others hesitated. She possessed,he thought, a firmness of judgement that appeared the more striking for being exercised with such quiet composure.
Mr. Bennet, who had observed the whole with quiet amusement, was at that moment so thoroughly entertained by the various discomforts of the assembly that he would willingly have prolonged their wait another quarter of an hour. At last, he rose and ushered his family toward the door, leaving their hosts at liberty to reclaim their house.
