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She represented to her sister, as forcibly as possible, what she

felt on the subject, and had soon the pleasure of seeing its

happy effect. Jane's temper was not desponding; and she was

gradually led to hope, though the diffidence of affection

sometimes overcame the hope, that Bingley would return to

Netherfield, and answer every wish of her heart.

They agreed that Mrs. Bennet should only hear of the departure of

the family, without being alarmed on the score of the gentleman's

conduct; but even this partial communication gave her a great

deal of concern, and she bewailed it as exceedingly unlucky that

the ladies should happen to go away just as they were all getting

so intimate together. After lamenting it, however, at some

length, she had the consolation of thinking that Mr. Bingley

would be soon down again, and soon dining at Longbourn; and the

conclusion of all was the comfortable declaration, that, though

he had been invited only to a family dinner, she would take care

to have two full courses.