Chapter 07C

‘Well, my dear,’ said Mr. Bennet, when Elizabeth had read thenote aloud, ‘if your daughter should have a dangerous fit of illness,if she should die, it would be a comfort to know that it was all inpursuit of Mr. Bingley, and under your orders.’‘Oh! I am not at all afraid of her dying. People do not die of littletrifling colds. She will be taken good care of. As long as she staysthere, it is all very well. I would go and see her, if I could have thecarriage.’Elizabeth, feeling really anxious, was determined to go to her,though the carriage was not to be had; and as she was no horsewoman, walking was her only alternative. She declared herresolution.‘How can you be so silly,’ cried her mother, ‘as to think of such athing, in all this dirt! You will not be fit to be seen when you getthere.’‘I shall be very fit to see Jane—which is all I want.’‘Is this a hint to me, Lizzy,’ said her father, ‘to send for thehorses?’‘No, indeed. I do not wish to avoid the walk. The distance isnothing, when one has a motive; only three miles. I shall be backby dinner.’    

 ‘I admire the activity of your benevolence,’ observed Mary, ‘butevery impulse of feeling should be guided by reason; and, in myopinion, exertion should always be in proportion to what isrequired.’‘We will go as far as Meryton with you,’ said Catherine andLydia.—Elizabeth accepted their company, and the three youngladies set off together.‘If we make haste,’ said Lydia, as they walked along, ‘perhapswe may see something of Captain Carter before he goes.’In Meryton they parted; the two youngest repaired to thelodgings of one of the officers’ wives, and Elizabeth continued herwalk alone, crossing field after field at a quick pace, jumping overstiles and springing over puddles with impatient activity, andfinding herself at last within view of the house, with weary ancles,dirty stockings, and a face glowing with the warmth of exercise.She was shewn into the breakfast-parlour, where all but Janewere assembled, and where her appearance created a great deal ofsurprise.—That she should have walked three miles so early in theday, in such dirty weather, and by herself was almost incredible toMrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley; and Elizabeth was convinced thatthey held her in contempt for it. She was received, however, verypolitely by them; and in their brother’s manners there wassomething better than politeness; there was good humour andkindness. Mr. Darcy said very little, and Mr. Hurst nothing at all.The former was divided between admiration of the brilliancywhich exercise had given to her complexion, and doubt as to theoccasion’s justifying her coming so far alone. The latter wasthinking only of his breakfast