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Two days after Mr. Bennet's return, as Jane and Elizabeth were

walking together in the shrubbery behind the house, they saw the

housekeeper coming towards them, and concluding that she came to

call them to their mother, went forward to meet her; but instead

of the expected summons, when they approached her, she said to

Miss Bennet, "I beg your pardon, madam, for interrupting you, but

I was in hopes you might have got some good news from town, so I

took the liberty of coming to ask."

"What do you mean, Hill? We have heard nothing from town."

"Dear madam," cried Mrs. Hill, in great astonishment, "don't you

know there is an express come for master from Mr. Gardiner? He

has been here this half hour, and master has had a letter."