Consoled by this resolution,she was the better able to bear her husband's incivility;though it was very mortifying to know that her neighbours might all see Mr. Bingley, in consequence of it, before they did.As the day of his arrival drew near:
“I saw you look at me to-day, Lizzy, when my aunt told us of the present report;and I know I appeared distressed.But don't imagine it was from any silly cause.I was only confused for the moment,because I felt that I should be looked at.I do assure you that the news does not affect me either with pleasure or pain.I am glad of one thing,that he comes alone;because we shall see the less of him.Not that I am afraid of myself,but I dread other people's remarks.”
“Oh,lord!I don't know.Not these two or three years,perhaps.”
“This is the consequence, you see, Madam, of marrying a daughter,”said Elizabeth.“It must make you better satisfied that your other four are single.”
“He is as fine a fellow,”said Mr.Bennet,as soon as they were out of the house,“as ever I saw. He simpers, and smirks, and makes love to us all.I am prodigiously proud of him.I defy even Sir William Lucas himself to produce a more valuable son-in-law.”
Mr.Wickham was so perfectly satisfied with this conversation that he never again distressed himself,or provoked his dear sister Elizabeth,by introducing the subject of it;and she was pleased to find that she had said enough to keep him quiet.