Nothing was to be heard but the lamentations of the daughters, and the occasional exclamation of Mr. Bennet, whose vexation at the sight of his wife’s disorder was not trifling. His sisters and his eldest daughter were the chief performers in the scene, while the younger ones, attended by the gentleman, were to be presented to their mother. “I am very glad to see you,” said she; “though I am sorry to say that I have not heard the last of it, and I have no doubt that my husband will be very glad to hear of it.”
Elizabeth, however, was not without her share of vexation; and as she could not be supposed to have any share in the blame, she was entitled to be very angry. Her father, whose vexation at the sight of her mother’s disorder was not trifling, could not entirely suppress his displeasure. “I cannot understand why you should think so,” said he; “for I am sure I have no reason to complain of your conduct.”
“Nor I neither,” replied Elizabeth; “but I am certain that, if you had not been at Meryton, I should have been as much surprised as yourself.”
“You are very kind,” said her father; “but I do not think you have any reason to complain of my conduct.”
Elizabeth was on the point of replying, when she was interrupted by the entrance of her father, who, with a most determined countenance, announced that he had been at Meryton that morning, and that he had been at Meryton for the purpose of seeing his eldest daughter. He had also had the satisfaction of hearing that she had been very well received, and that she was in good health.
“And what do you think of it?” said he. “I have been at Meryton, and I have been at Meryton for the purpose of seeing my eldest daughter. I have also had the satisfaction of hearing that she has been very well received, and that she is in good health.”
“I have no doubt that you will be very glad to hear of it,” said Elizabeth; “but I am certain that, if you had not been at Meryton, I should have been as much surprised as yourself.”
“You are very kind,” said her father; “but I do not think you have any reason to complain of my conduct.”
Elizabeth was on the point of replying, when she was interrupted by the entrance of her father, who, with a most determined countenance, announced that he had been at Meryton that morning, and that he had been at Meryton for the purpose of seeing his eldest daughter. He had also had the satisfaction of hearing that she had been very well received, and that she was in good health.
“And what do you think of it?” said he. “I have been at Meryton, and I have been at Meryton for the purpose of seeing my eldest daughter. I have also had the satisfaction of hearing that she has been very well received, and that she is in good health.”
“I have no doubt that you will be very glad to hear of it,” said Elizabeth; “but I am certain that, if you had not been at Meryton, I should have been as much surprised as yourself.”
“You are very kind,” said her father; “but I do not think you have any reason to complain of my conduct.”