Chapter 55

           Afewdaysafterthisvisit,Mr.Bingleycalledagain,andalone. HisfriendhadlefthimthatmorningforLondon,butwastoreturnhomeintendaystime. Hesatwiththemaboveanhour,andwasinremarkablygoodspirits. Mrs.Bennetinvitedhimtodinewiththem;but,withmanyexpressionsofconcern,heconfessedhimselfengagedelsewhere. 

           "Nexttimeyoucall,"saidshe,"Ihopeweshallbemorelucky." 

           Heshouldbeparticularlyhappyatanytime,etc.etc.; andifshewouldgivehimleave,wouldtakeanearlyopportunityofwaitingonthem. 

           "Canyoucometo-morrow?" 

           Yes,hehadnoengagementatallforto-morrow;andherinvitationwasacceptedwithalacrity. 

           Hecame,andinsuchverygoodtimethattheladieswerenoneofthemdressed. InranMrs.Bennettoherdaughter’sroom,inherdressinggown,andwithherhairhalffinished,cryingout: 

           "MydearJane,makehasteandhurrydown. Heiscome—Mr.Bingleyiscome. Heis,indeed. Makehaste,makehaste. Here,Sarah,cometoMissBennetthismoment,andhelpheronwithhergown. NevermindMissLizzy’shair." 

           "Wewillbedownassoonaswecan,"saidJane;"butIdaresayKittyisforwarderthaneitherofus,forshewentupstairshalfanhourago." 

           "Oh!hangKitty!whathasshetodowithit? Comebequick,bequick! Whereisyoursash,mydear?"