Pride and Prejudice

Chapter 55

A few days after this visit, Mr. Bingley called again, and

alone. His friend had left him that morning for London, but

was to return home in ten days time. He sat with them above an

hour, and was in remarkably good spirits. Mrs. Bennet invited

him to dine with them; but, with many expressions of concern,

he confessed himself engaged elsewhere.

"Next time you call," said she, "I hope we shall be more

lucky."

He should be particularly happy at any time, etc. etc.; and if

she would give him leave, would take an early opportunity of

waiting on them.

"Can you come to-morrow?"

Yes, he had no engagement at all for to-morrow; and her

invitation was accepted with alacrity.

He came, and in such very good time that the ladies were none

of them dressed. In ran Mrs. Bennet to her daughter's room, in

her dressing gown, and with her hair half finished, crying out:

"My dear Jane, make haste and hurry down. He is come--Mr.

Bingley is come. He is, indeed. Make haste, make haste.

Here, Sarah, come to Miss Bennet this moment, and help her

on with her gown. Never mind Miss Lizzy's hair."

"We will be down as soon as we can," said Jane; "but I dare say

Kitty is forwarder than either of us, for she went up stairs

half an hour ago."

"Oh! hang Kitty! what has she to do with it? Come be quick,

be quick! Where is your sash, my dear?"

But when her mother was gone, Jane would not be prevailed on to

go down without one of her sisters.

The same anxiety to get them by themselves was visible again

in the evening. After tea, Mr. Bennet retired to the library,

as was his custom, and Mary went up stairs to her instrument.

Two obstacles of the five being thus removed, Mrs. Bennet

sat looking and winking at Elizabeth and Catherine for a

considerable time, without making any impression on them.

Elizabeth would not observe her; and when at last Kitty did,

she very innocently said, "What is the matter mamma? What do

you keep winking at me for? What am I to do?"

"Nothing child, nothing. I did not wink at you." She then sat

still five minutes longer; but unable to waste such a precious

occasion, she suddenly got up, and saying to Kitty, "Come here,

my love, I want to speak to you," took her out of the room.

Jane instantly gave a look at Elizabeth which spoke her