पृष्ठ 411 / 817

At that ball, while I had the honour of dancing with you, I was

first made acquainted, by Sir William Lucas's accidental

information, that Bingley's attentions to your sister had given

rise to a general expectation of their marriage. He spoke of it

as a certain event, of which the time alone could be undecided.

From that moment I observed my friend's behaviour attentively;

and I could then perceive that his partiality for Miss Bennet was

beyond what I had ever witnessed in him. Your sister I also

watched. Her look and manners were open, cheerful, and engaging

as ever, but without any symptom of peculiar regard; and I

remained convinced, from the evening's scrutiny, that though she

received his attentions with pleasure, she did not invite them by

any participation of sentiment. If you have not been mistaken

here, I must have been in an error. Your superior knowledge of

your sister must make the latter probable.