Chapter 11

           Whentheladiesremovedafterdinner,Elizabethranuptohersister,andseeingherwellguardedfromcold,attendedherintothedrawing-room,whereshewaswelcomedbyhertwofriendswithmanyprofessionsofpleasure; andElizabethhadneverseenthemsoagreeableastheywereduringthehourwhichpassedbeforethegentlemenappeared. Theirpowersofconversationwereconsiderable. Theycoulddescribeanentertainmentwithaccuracy,relateananecdotewithhumour,andlaughattheiracquaintancewithspirit. 

           Butwhenthegentlemenentered,Janewasnolongerthefirstobject;MissBingley’seyeswereinstantlyturnedtowardDarcy,andshehadsomethingtosaytohimbeforehehadadvancedmanysteps. HeaddressedhimselftoMissBennet,withapolitecongratulation; Mr.Hurstalsomadeheraslightbow,andsaidhewas"veryglad;"butdiffusenessandwarmthremainedforBingley’ssalutation. Hewasfullofjoyandattention. Thefirsthalf-hourwasspentinpilingupthefire,lestsheshouldsufferfromthechangeofroom;andsheremovedathisdesiretotheothersideofthefireplace,thatshemightbefurtherfromthedoor. Hethensatdownbyher,andtalkedscarcelytoanyoneelse. Elizabeth,atworkintheoppositecorner,sawitallwithgreatdelight. 

           Whenteawasover,Mr.Hurstremindedhissister-in-lawofthecard-table—butinvain. ShehadobtainedprivateintelligencethatMr.Darcydidnotwishforcards; andMr.Hurstsoonfoundevenhisopenpetitionrejected. Sheassuredhimthatnooneintendedtoplay,andthesilenceofthewholepartyonthesubjectseemedtojustifyher. Mr.Hursthadthereforenothingtodo,buttostretchhimselfononeofthesofasandgotosleep.