Chapter 18

           TillElizabethenteredthedrawing-roomatNetherfield,andlookedinvainforMr.Wickhamamongtheclusterofredcoatsthereassembled,adoubtofhisbeingpresenthadneveroccurredtoher. Thecertaintyofmeetinghimhadnotbeencheckedbyanyofthoserecollectionsthatmightnotunreasonablyhavealarmedher. Shehaddressedwithmorethanusualcare,andpreparedinthehighestspiritsfortheconquestofallthatremainedunsubduedofhisheart,trustingthatitwasnotmorethanmightbewoninthecourseoftheevening. ButinaninstantarosethedreadfulsuspicionofhisbeingpurposelyomittedforMr.Darcy’spleasureintheBingleys’invitationtotheofficers; andthoughthiswasnotexactlythecase,theabsolutefactofhisabsencewaspronouncedbyhisfriendDenny,towhomLydiaeagerlyapplied,andwhotoldthemthatWickhamhadbeenobligedtogototownonbusinessthedaybefore,andwasnotyetreturned;adding,withasignificantsmile, "Idonotimaginehisbusinesswouldhavecalledhimawayjustnow,ifhehadnotwantedtoavoidacertaingentlemanhere." 

           Thispartofhisintelligence,thoughunheardbyLydia,wascaughtbyElizabeth,and,asitassuredherthatDarcywasnotlessanswerableforWickham’sabsencethanifherfirstsurmisehadbeenjust,everyfeelingofdispleasureagainsttheformerwassosharpenedbyimmediatedisappointment,thatshecouldhardlyreplywithtolerablecivilitytothepoliteinquirieswhichhedirectlyafterwardsapproachedtomake. Attendance,forbearance,patiencewithDarcy,wasinjurytoWickham. Shewasresolvedagainstanysortofconversationwithhim,andturnedawaywithadegreeofill-humourwhichshecouldnotwhollysurmounteveninspeakingtoMr.Bingley,whoseblindpartialityprovokedher.