Chapter XVIII.
1. Till Elizabeth entered the drawing-room at Netherfield, and looked in vain for Mr. Wickham among the cluster of red coats there assembled, a doubt of his being present had never occurred to her. 2. "I do not imagine his business would have called him away just now, if he had not wanted to avoid a certain gentleman here." 3. Attendance, forbearance, patience with Darcy, was injury to Wickham. 4. The first two dances, however, brought a return of distress; they were dances of mortification. 5. When those dances were over, she returned to Charlotte Lucas, and was in conversation with her, when she found herself suddenly addressed by Mr. Darcy who took her so much by surprise in his application for her hand, that, without knowing what she did, she accepted him. 6. He smiled, and assured her that whatever she wished him to say should be said. 7. "He has been so unlucky as to lose YOUR friendship," replied Elizabeth with emphasis, "and in a manner which he is likely to suffer from all his life." 8. "I remember hearing you once say, Mr. Darcy, that you hardly ever forgave, that you resentment once created was unappeasable. 9. Let me recommend you, however, as a friend, not to give implicit confidence to all his assertions; for as to Mr. Darcy's using him ill, it is perfectly false; for, on the contrary, he has always been remarkably kind to him, though George Wickham has treated Mr. Darcy in a most infamous manner. 10. His coming into the country at all is a most insolent thing, indeed, and I wonder how he could presume to do it. 11. She then sought her eldest sister, who has undertaken to make inquiries on the same subject of Bingley. 12. Mr. Bingley's defense of his friend was a very able one, I dare say; but since he is unacquainted with several parts of the story, and has learnt the rest from that friend himself, I shall venture to still think of both gentlemen as I did before." 13. "You are not going to introduce yourself to Mr. Darcy!" 14. "That will do extremely well, child. You have delighted us long enough. … 15. The Longbourn party were the last of all the company to depart,… 16. Mrs. Bennet was perfectly satisfied, and quitted the house under the delightful persuasion that, allowing for the necessary preparations of settlements, new carriages, and wedding clothes, she should undoubtedly see her daughter settled at Netherfield in the course of three or four months.
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