Chapter 08B

It shews an affection for her sister that is very pleasing,’ saidBingley.‘I am afraid, Mr. Darcy,’ observed Miss Bingley, in a halfwhisper, ‘that this adventure has rather affected your admirationof her fine eyes.’  

 ‘Not at all,’ he replied; ‘they were brightened by the exercise.’—A short pause followed this speech, and Mrs. Hurst began again.‘I have an excessive regard for Jane Bennet, she is really a verysweet girl, and I wish with all my heart she were well settled. Butwith such a father and mother, and such low connections, I amafraid there is no chance of it.’‘I think I have heard you say, that their uncle is an attorney inMeryton.’‘Yes; and they have another, who lives somewhere nearCheapside.’‘That is capital,’ added her sister, and they both laughedheartily.‘If they had uncles enough to fill all Cheapside,’ cried Bingley, ‘itwould not make them one jot less agreeable.’‘But it must very materially lessen their chance of marryingmen of any consideration in the world,’ replied Darcy. 

To this speech Bingley made no answer; but his sisters gave ittheir hearty assent, and indulged their mirth for some time at theexpense of their dear friend’s vulgar relations.With a renewal of tenderness, however, they repaired to herroom on leaving the dining-parlour, and sat with her tillsummoned to coffee. She was still very poorly, and Elizabethwould not quit her at all, till late in the evening, when she had thecomfort of seeing her asleep, and when it appeared to her ratherright than pleasant that she should go down stairs herself. Onentering the drawing-room she found the whole party at loo, andwas immediately invited to join them; but suspecting them to beplaying high she declined it, and making her sister the excuse, saidshe would amuse herself for the short time she could stay below  with a book. Mr. Hurst looked at her with astonishment.‘Do you prefer reading to cards?’ said he; ‘that is rathersingular.’‘Miss Eliza Bennet,’ said Miss Bingley, ‘despises cards. She is agreat reader and has no pleasure in anything else.’‘I deserve neither such praise nor such censure,’ criedElizabeth; ‘I am not a great reader, and I have pleasure in manythings.’‘In nursing your sister I am sure you have pleasure,’ saidBingley; ‘and I hope it will soon be increased by seeing her quitewell.’Elizabeth thanked him from her heart, and then walked towardsa table where a few books were lying. He immediately offered tofetch her others; all that his library afforded.‘And I wish my collection were larger for your benefit and myown credit; but I am an idle fellow, and though I have not many, Ihave more than I ever look into.’Elizabeth assured him that she could suit herself perfectly withthose in the room.‘I am astonished,’ said Miss Bingley, ‘that my father should haveleft so small a collection of books.—What a delightful library youhave at Pemberley, Mr. Darcy!’