Chapter 10

           Thedaypassedmuchasthedaybeforehaddone. Mrs.HurstandMissBingleyhadspentsomehoursofthemorningwiththeinvalid,whocontinued,thoughslowly,tomend; andintheeveningElizabethjoinedtheirpartyinthedrawing-room. Theloo-table,however,didnotappear. Mr.Darcywaswriting,andMissBingley,seatednearhim,waswatchingtheprogressofhisletterandrepeatedlycallingoffhisattentionbymessagestohissister. Mr.HurstandMr.Bingleywereatpiquet,andMrs.Hurstwasobservingtheirgame. 

           Elizabethtookupsomeneedlework,andwassufficientlyamusedinattendingtowhatpassedbetweenDarcyandhiscompanion. Theperpetualcommendationsofthelady,eitheronhishandwriting,orontheevennessofhislines,oronthelengthofhisletter,withtheperfectunconcernwithwhichherpraiseswerereceived,formedacuriousdialogue,andwasexactlyinunionwithheropinionofeach. 

           "HowdelightedMissDarcywillbetoreceivesuchaletter!" 

           Hemadenoanswer. 

           "Youwriteuncommonlyfast." 

           "Youaremistaken. Iwriteratherslowly." 

           "Howmanylettersyoumusthaveoccasiontowriteinthecourseofayear! Lettersofbusiness,too! HowodiousIshouldthinkthem!" 

           "Itisfortunate,then,thattheyfalltomylotinsteadofyours." 

           "PraytellyoursisterthatIlongtoseeher." 

           "Ihavealreadytoldhersoonce,byyourdesire."