She followed him thither; and her curiosity to know what he had to tell her was heightened by the supposition of its being in some manner connected with the letter he held. It suddenly struck her that it might be from Lady Catherine; and she anticipated with dismay all the consequent explanations.

“If, therefore, an excuse for not keeping his promise should come to his friend within a few days,”she added,“I shall know how to understand it. I shall then give over every expectation, every wish of his constancy.If he is satisfied with only regretting me,when he might have obtained my affections and hand,I shall soon cease to regret him at all.”

“Lizzy,”said he,“I was going to look for you; come into my room.”