Chapter 07D

Her enquiries after her sister were not very favourably   answered. Miss Bennet had slept ill, and though up, was veryfeverish and not well enough to leave her room. Elizabeth was gladto be taken to her immediately; and Jane, who had only beenwithheld by the fear of giving alarm or inconvenience, fromexpressing in her note how much she longed for such a visit, wasdelighted at her entrance. She was not equal, however, to muchconversation, and when Miss Bingley left them together, couldattempt little beside expressions of gratitude for the extraordinarykindness she was treated with. Elizabeth silently attended her.When breakfast was over, they were joined by the sisters; andElizabeth began to like them herself, when she saw how muchaffection and solicitude they shewed for Jane. The apothecarycame, and having examined his patient, said, as might besupposed, that she had caught a violent cold, and that they mustendeavour to get the better of it; advised her to return to bed, andpromised her some draughts. The advice was followed readily, forthe feverish symptoms increased, and her head ached acutely.Elizabeth did not quit her room for a moment, nor were the otherladies often absent; the gentlemen being out, they had in factnothing to do elsewhere.When the clock struck three, Elizabeth felt that she must go;and very unwillingly said so. Miss Bingley offered her the carriage,and she only wanted a little pressing to accept it, when Janetestified such concern in parting with her, that Miss Bingley wasobliged to convert the offer of the chaise into an invitation toremain at Netherfield for the present. Elizabeth most thankfullyconsented, and a servant was dispatched to Longbourn to acquaintthe family with her stay, and bring back a supply of clothes.