Chapter 24

           MissBingley’sletterarrived,andputanendtodoubt. TheveryfirstsentenceconveyedtheassuranceoftheirbeingallsettledinLondonforthewinter,andconcludedwithherbrother’sregretatnothavinghadtimetopayhisrespectstohisfriendsinHertfordshirebeforeheleftthecountry. 

           Hopewasover,entirelyover;andwhenJanecouldattendtotherestoftheletter,shefoundlittle,excepttheprofessedaffectionofthewriter,thatcouldgiveheranycomfort. MissDarcy’spraiseoccupiedthechiefofit. Hermanyattractionswereagaindwelton,andCarolineboastedjoyfullyoftheirincreasingintimacy,andventuredtopredicttheaccomplishmentofthewisheswhichhadbeenunfoldedinherformerletter. Shewrotealsowithgreatpleasureofherbrother’sbeinganinmateofMr.Darcy’shouse,andmentionedwithrapturessomeplansofthelatterwithregardtonewfurniture. 

           Elizabeth,towhomJaneverysooncommunicatedthechiefofallthis,hearditinsilentindignation. Herheartwasdividedbetweenconcernforhersister,andresentmentagainstallothers. ToCaroline’sassertionofherbrother’sbeingpartialtoMissDarcyshepaidnocredit. ThathewasreallyfondofJane,shedoubtednomorethanshehadeverdone; andmuchasshehadalwaysbeendisposedtolikehim,shecouldnotthinkwithoutanger,hardlywithoutcontempt,onthateasinessoftemper,thatwantofproperresolution,whichnowmadehimtheslaveofhisdesigningfriends,andledhimtosacrificeofhisownhappinesstothecapriceoftheirinclination. Hadhisownhappiness,however,beentheonlysacrifice,hemighthavebeenallowedtosportwithitinwhatevermannerhethoughtbest,buthersister’swasinvolvedinit,asshethoughthemustbesensiblehimself.