“What could become of Mr. Bingley and Jane!”was a wonder which introduced the discussion of their affairs. Darcy was delighted with their engagement; his friend had given him the earliest information of it.

“Your surprise could not be greater than mine in being noticed by you.My conscience told me that I deserved no extraordinary politeness, and I confess that I did not expect to receive more than my due.”

He then told her of Georgiana's delight in her acquaintance,and of her disappointment at its sudden interruption;which naturally leading to the cause of that interruption,she soon learnt that his resolution of following her from Derbyshire in quest of her sister had been formed before he quitted the inn,and that his gravity and thoughtfulness there had arisen from no other struggles than what such a purpose must comprehend.

“I am almost afraid of asking what you thought of me,when we met at Pemberley.You blamed me for coming?”

“Did you speak from your own observation,”said she,“when you told him that my sister loved him, or merely from my information last spring?”

“That is to say, you had given your permission. I guessed as much.”And though he exclaimed at the term,she found that it had been pretty much the case.