Mr. Bennet had been to town and returned to Pemberley, without any alteration in his home arrangements. Mrs. Bennet and her daughters were all in a state of eager expectation. Elizabeth, however, felt the most anxious of the party. She had not heard from Jane since her sister’s arrival in Kent, and she felt a peculiar anxiety for her on account of her mother's behaviour. She knew that Mrs. Bennet’s temper must be tried by the prospect of her daughter’s union with a man who had no fortune; and she knew that Jane’s disposition was such that she could not be happy without the approbation of her relations.
The news of Mr. Bingley’s arrival in Hertfordshire was very agreeable to all, and her aunt Gardiner was so good as to say, that she would be very happy to receive her at Longbourn, if she could be prevailed upon to accept her invitation. Elizabeth thanked her for her kindness, but she was not at all sure that she could accept it. She had been so long from home, and her feelings had been so much agitated, that she was not yet able to think of anything else. She was very well in health, but she had been so much fatigued by the journey that she was very glad to be at home.
“I hope, my dear,” said her father, “that you have been pleased with your visit.”
“Yes, my dear, I have been very well pleased. I have never seen so amiable a man as Mr. Bingley, nor so agreeable a woman as his sister. I have never seen so handsome a man as Mr. Darcy. He is the proudest, most disagreeable man in the world, and I will have nothing to say to him.”
“I am not sorry,” said Mrs. Bennet, “to hear you speak so honourably of your relations. It is a great deal more than I can say of myself.”
Elizabeth was surprised by her mother’s answer, and she could not help saying, “But, my dear mother, what do you mean by saying that you are not sorry to hear me speak so honourably of my relations?”
“I mean that I am very glad to hear you speak so honourably of your relations. You are a very good daughter, and I am very glad to hear you speak so honourably of your relations.”
Elizabeth could not help smiling at her mother’s answer, and she felt very much obliged to her for her kindness. She was very well pleased with the society of her relations, and she was very glad to be at home. She had been so long from home, and her feelings had been so much agitated, that she was not yet able to think of anything else.
The next morning, Elizabeth was informed that Mr. Bingley had arrived in Hertfordshire. She was very glad to hear this, and she was very anxious to see him. She had not seen him since he left Netherfield, and she was very curious to know what he had been doing. She had heard that he had been visiting his sister in London, and she was very glad to hear that he had come to Hertfordshire.
She went into the drawing-room to see him, and she was very glad to see him. He was looking very well, and he was very glad to see her. He told her that he had been very happy in London, and that he had been very sorry to leave it. He said that he had been very well received by his sister, and that he had been very glad to see her.
Elizabeth was very glad to hear this, and she was very anxious to know what he had been doing. She had heard that he had been visiting his sister in London, and she was very glad to hear that he had come to Hertfordshire. She was very well pleased with the society of her relations, and she was very glad to be at home. She had been so long from home, and her feelings had been so much agitated, that she was not yet able to think of anything else.