Pride and Prejudice — Chapter Fifty-Four
Abridged for Intermediate-High Learners

After their visitors left, Elizabeth walked out to think. Mr. Darcy's cold behavior had astonished her. "Why did he come, if he meant to be silent and serious?" she asked. "He was kind to my uncle and aunt in London. Why not to me? If he cares nothing for me, why come? Teasing man!"

Jane soon joined her. "Now that our first meeting is over, I feel perfectly calm," Jane said. "I am glad he dines here on Tuesday. Then everyone will see that we meet only as common, indifferent friends."

"Yes, very indifferent, indeed," Elizabeth said, laughing. "Oh, Jane! Take care."

"You cannot think me so weak as to be in danger now."

"I think you are in very great danger of making him as much in love with you as ever."

They did not see the gentlemen again until Tuesday. Mrs. Bennet gave herself to happy schemes, revived by Bingley's good humor.

On Tuesday a party gathered at Longbourn. Elizabeth watched to see whether Bingley would take his place beside her sister. Her mother did not ask him to sit beside herself. He hesitated, but Jane looked and smiled. It was decided. He placed himself by her, while Darcy watched with calm indifference.

During dinner Bingley's admiration of Jane persuaded Elizabeth that Jane's happiness would soon be secure. Mr. Darcy sat far from her, beside her mother. They barely spoke, and were cold when they did. Her mother's rudeness made what the family owed him feel more painful, and she longed to tell him his kindness was not unfelt.

She hoped the evening would give them some chance to talk. "If he does not come to me, I shall give him up forever," she thought.

The gentlemen came, and she thought her hopes would be answered. But the ladies had crowded the tea table so closely that there was no chair near her. One of the girls whispered, "The men shan't come and part us. We want none of them, do we?" Darcy walked away.

She envied everyone he spoke to, and scolded herself for hoping a man once refused would love her again.

She was revived when he brought his coffee cup back. "Is your sister at Pemberley still?" "Yes; she will remain there till Christmas." "And quite alone?" "Mrs. Annesley is with her. The others went on to Scarborough three weeks ago." After a few silent minutes, he walked away.

When the card tables were set out, her mother pulled him into her game of whist, and he was soon seated with the players. Separated at different tables, she could only hope he kept looking toward her so often that he would play as badly as she did.

Mrs. Bennet meant to keep the gentlemen for supper, but their carriage was ordered first. "Well, what say you? The soup was fifty times better than at the Lucases', and Mr. Darcy praised the partridges. And Mrs. Long said, 'Ah! Mrs. Bennet, we shall have her at Netherfield at last!'"

Mrs. Bennet was in high spirits, convinced she would get Bingley, and disappointed not to see him the next day to make his proposal.

"It has been a very agreeable day," Jane said. "I hope we may often meet again."

Elizabeth smiled.

"Lizzy, you must not suspect me. I enjoy his company, wanting nothing more. I am sure he never meant to engage my affection; he is blessed with a sweeter manner than any man."

"You are very cruel," said Elizabeth. "You will not let me smile, yet you make me want to every moment."

"How hard it is to be believed! But why persuade me that I feel more than I admit?"