Chapter 25

           Afteraweekspentinprofessionsofloveandschemesoffelicity,Mr.CollinswascalledfromhisamiableCharlottebythearrivalofSaturday. Thepainofseparation,however,mightbealleviatedonhisside,bypreparationsforthereceptionofhisbride;ashehadreasontohope,thatshortlyafterhisreturnintoHertfordshire,thedaywouldbefixedthatwastomakehimthehappiestofmen. HetookleaveofhisrelationsatLongbournwithasmuchsolemnityasbefore;wishedhisfaircousinshealthandhappinessagain,andpromisedtheirfatheranotherletterofthanks. 

           OnthefollowingMonday,Mrs.Bennethadthepleasureofreceivingherbrotherandhiswife,whocameasusualtospendtheChristmasatLongbourn. Mr.Gardinerwasasensible,gentlemanlikeman,greatlysuperiortohissister,aswellbynatureaseducation. TheNetherfieldladieswouldhavehaddifficultyinbelievingthatamanwholivedbytrade,andwithinviewofhisownwarehouses,couldhavebeensowell-bredandagreeable. Mrs.Gardiner,whowasseveralyearsyoungerthanMrs.BennetandMrs.Phillips,wasanamiable,intelligent,elegantwoman,andagreatfavouritewithallherLongbournnieces. Betweenthetwoeldestandherselfespecially,theresubsistedaparticularregard. Theyhadfrequentlybeenstayingwithherintown. 

           ThefirstpartofMrs.Gardiner’sbusinessonherarrivalwastodistributeherpresentsanddescribethenewestfashions. Whenthiswasdoneshehadalessactiveparttoplay. Itbecameherturntolisten. Mrs.Bennethadmanygrievancestorelate,andmuchtocomplainof. Theyhadallbeenveryill-usedsinceshelastsawhersister. Twoofhergirlshadbeenuponthepointofmarriage,andafteralltherewasnothinginit. 

           "IdonotblameJane,"shecontinued,"forJanewouldhavegotMr.Bingleyifshecould. ButLizzy!