Chapter 61

           HappyforallhermaternalfeelingswasthedayonwhichMrs.Bennetgotridofhertwomostdeservingdaughters. WithwhatdelightedpridesheafterwardsvisitedMrs.Bingley,andtalkedofMrs.Darcy,maybeguessed. IwishIcouldsay,forthesakeofherfamily,thattheaccomplishmentofherearnestdesireintheestablishmentofsomanyofherchildrenproducedsohappyaneffectastomakeherasensible,amiable,well-informedwomanfortherestofherlife; thoughperhapsitwasluckyforherhusband,whomightnothaverelisheddomesticfelicityinsounusualaform,thatshestillwasoccasionallynervousandinvariablysilly. 

           Mr.Bennetmissedhisseconddaughterexceedingly;hisaffectionforherdrewhimoftenerfromhomethananythingelsecoulddo. HedelightedingoingtoPemberley,especiallywhenhewasleastexpected. 

           Mr.BingleyandJaneremainedatNetherfieldonlyatwelvemonth. SonearavicinitytohermotherandMerytonrelationswasnotdesirableeventohiseasytemper,orheraffectionateheart. Thedarlingwishofhissisterswasthengratified;heboughtanestateinaneighbouringcountytoDerbyshire,andJaneandElizabeth,inadditiontoeveryothersourceofhappiness,werewithinthirtymilesofeachother. 

           Kitty,toherverymaterialadvantage,spentthechiefofhertimewithhertwoeldersisters. Insocietysosuperiortowhatshehadgenerallyknown,herimprovementwasgreat. ShewasnotofsoungovernableatemperasLydia; and,removedfromtheinfluenceofLydia’sexample,shebecame,byproperattentionandmanagement,lessirritable,lessignorant,andlessinsipid. FromthefurtherdisadvantageofLydia’ssocietyshewasofcoursecarefullykept,andthoughMrs.Wickhamfrequentlyinvitedhertocomeandstaywithher,withthepromiseofballsandyoungmen,herfatherwouldneverconsenttohergoing.