Pride and Prejudice

Chapter 45

Convinced as Elizabeth now was that Miss Bingley's dislike of

her had originated in jealousy, she could not help feeling how

unwelcome her appearance at Pemberley must be to her, and

was curious to know with how much civility on that lady's side

the acquaintance would now be renewed.

On reaching the house, they were shown through the hall into

the saloon, whose northern aspect rendered it delightful for

summer. Its windows opening to the ground, admitted a most

refreshing view of the high woody hills behind the house,

and of the beautiful oaks and Spanish chestnuts which were

scattered over the intermediate lawn.

In this house they were received by Miss Darcy, who was

sitting there with Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley, and the lady

with whom she lived in London. Georgiana's reception of them

was very civil, but attended with all the embarrassment which,

though proceeding from shyness and the fear of doing wrong,

would easily give to those who felt themselves inferior the

belief of her being proud and reserved. Mrs. Gardiner and her

niece, however, did her justice, and pitied her.

By Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley they were noticed only by a

curtsey; and, on their being seated, a pause, awkward as such

pauses must always be, succeeded for a few moments. It was

first broken by Mrs. Annesley, a genteel, agreeable-looking

woman, whose endeavour to introduce some kind of discourse

proved her to be more truly well-bred than either of the others;

and between her and Mrs. Gardiner, with occasional help from

Elizabeth, the conversation was carried on. Miss Darcy looked

as if she wished for courage enough to join in it; and sometimes

did venture a short sentence when there was least danger of its

being heard.

Elizabeth soon saw that she was herself closely watched by Miss

Bingley, and that she could not speak a word, especially to Miss

Darcy, without calling her attention. This observation would not

have prevented her from trying to talk to the latter, had they

not been seated at an inconvenient distance; but she was not sorry

to be spared the necessity of saying much. Her own thoughts

were employing her. She expected every moment that some of the

gentlemen would enter the room. She wished, she feared that

the master of the house might be amongst them; and whether

she wished or feared it most, she could scarcely determine.

After sitting in this manner a quarter of an hour without hearing

Miss Bingley's voice, Elizabeth was roused by receiving from