Page 286 of 817

Elizabeth could not oppose such a wish; and from this time Mr.

Bingley's name was scarcely ever mentioned between them.

Mrs. Bennet still continued to wonder and repine at his returning

no more; and though a day seldom passed in which Elizabeth did

not account for it clearly, there seemed little chance of her

ever considering it with less perplexity. Her daughter

endeavoured to convince her of what she did not believe herself,

that his attentions to Jane had been merely the effect of a

common and transient liking, which ceased when he saw her no

more; but though the probability of the statement was admitted at

the time, she had the same story to repeat every day. Mrs.

Bennet's best comfort was, that Mr. Bingley must be down again in

the summer.