The first object of her attention was the room in which she was to sit; and she was not only astonished, but exceedingly pleased, to find it so much superior to what she had expected. Her brother's intention of lodging in the town, and of dining with his sister, was, however, no secret; and she was confident of her own opinion, that if Bingley entered the room, it must be with her brother.
She was looking round the room with the greatest admiration, when Mr. Bingley, who had been waiting in the anteroom, was called in; and she felt a very painful and a very awkward sensation at his entrance. Her brother was immediately to take his seat, and she was afraid that she was to be complimented by Bingley for the hospitality of her reception. But it was not so. He apologized for his delay, and assured her that he was very glad to have been able to be there, and that he hoped he had not inconvenienced her in any way.
She assured him that she was very glad to have him there, and that she hoped he would not have any cause for complaint. He then took his seat, and after a short silence, he asked her what she thought of the ball. She replied that she had been extremely amused, and that she had not expected to meet so many of her acquaintance.
Mr. Bingley then observed that he had not been very well received, and that he was afraid he had offended some of the party. She answered that she did not believe that he had, and that she was sure that he had not intended to give any offense. He then said that he hoped she was right, and that he trusted that he had not given any offense.
The conversation then turned to other topics, and they spoke for a considerable time of the ball, and of the people who had been present. She told him that she had been very much amused, and that she had not expected to meet so many of her acquaintance. He replied that he had been very much amused also, and that he had been very glad to have been there.
Mr. Bingley then rose to take his leave, and she accompanied him to the door. He thanked her for her hospitality, and she assured him that she was very glad to have had him there. He then wished her good-bye, and she wished him good-bye in return.
After he had gone, she sat down and thought over the conversation. She was very pleased with Mr. Bingley, and she was sure that he was a very good-natured man. She was also pleased with the attention that he had paid to her, and she was sure that he was very fond of her.