Pride and Prejudice

Chapter 32

Elizabeth was sitting by herself the next morning, and writing to

Jane while Mrs. Collins and Maria were gone on business into

the village, when she was startled by a ring at the door, the

certain signal of a visitor. As she had heard no carriage, she

thought it not unlikely to be Lady Catherine, and under that

apprehension was putting away her half-finished letter that she

might escape all impertinent questions, when the door opened,

and, to her very great surprise, Mr. Darcy, and Mr. Darcy only,

entered the room.

He seemed astonished too on finding her alone, and apologised

for his intrusion by letting her know that he had understood all

the ladies were to be within.

They then sat down, and when her inquiries after Rosings were

made, seemed in danger of sinking into total silence. It was

absolutely necessary, therefore, to think of something, and in

this emergence recollecting _when_ she had seen him last in

Hertfordshire, and feeling curious to know what he would say

on the subject of their hasty departure, she observed:

"How very suddenly you all quitted Netherfield last November,

Mr. Darcy! It must have been a most agreeable surprise to Mr.

Bingley to see you all after him so soon; for, if I recollect right,

he went but the day before. He and his sisters were well, I hope,

when you left London?"

"Perfectly so, I thank you."

She found that she was to receive no other answer, and, after a

short pause added:

"I think I have understood that Mr. Bingley has not much idea of

ever returning to Netherfield again?"

"I have never heard him say so; but it is probable that he may

spend very little of his time there in the future. He has many

friends, and is at a time of life when friends and engagements are

continually increasing."

"If he means to be but little at Netherfield, it would be better for

the neighbourhood that he should give up the place entirely, for

then we might possibly get a settled family there. But, perhaps,

Mr. Bingley did not take the house so much for the convenience

of the neighbourhood as for his own, and we must expect him to

keep it or quit it on the same principle."

"I should not be surprised," said Darcy, "if he were to give it up

as soon as any eligible purchase offers."

Elizabeth made no answer. She was afraid of talking longer of

his friend; and, having nothing else to say, was now determined

to leave the trouble of finding a subject to him.