Chapter 54

           Assoonastheyweregone,Elizabethwalkedouttorecoverherspirits; orinotherwords,todwellwithoutinterruptiononthosesubjectsthatmustdeadenthemmore. Mr.Darcy’sbehaviourastonishedandvexedher. 

           "Why,ifhecameonlytobesilent,grave,andindifferent,"saidshe,"didhecomeatall?" 

           Shecouldsettleitinnowaythatgaveherpleasure. 

           "Hecouldbestillamiable,stillpleasing,tomyuncleandaunt,whenhewasintown;andwhynottome? Ifhefearsme,whycomehither? Ifhenolongercaresforme,whysilent? Teasing,teasing,man! Iwillthinknomoreabouthim." 

           Herresolutionwasforashorttimeinvoluntarilykeptbytheapproachofhersister,whojoinedherwithacheerfullook,whichshowedherbettersatisfiedwiththeirvisitors,thanElizabeth. 

           "Now,"saidshe,"thatthisfirstmeetingisover,Ifeelperfectlyeasy. Iknowmyownstrength,andIshallneverbeembarrassedagainbyhiscoming. IamgladhedineshereonTuesday. Itwillthenbepubliclyseenthat,onbothsides,wemeetonlyascommonandindifferentacquaintance." 

           "Yes,veryindifferentindeed,"saidElizabeth,laughingly."Oh,Jane,takecare." 

           "MydearLizzy,youcannotthinkmesoweak,astobeindangernow?" 

           "Ithinkyouareinverygreatdangerofmakinghimasmuchinlovewithyouasever."