0:00 CHAPTER XXI. Prejudice by Jane Austen. Chapter 21.
0:34 The discussion of Mr. Collins' offer was now nearly at an end, and Elizabeth had only to suffer from the uncomfortable feelings necessarily attending it, and occasionally from some peevish
0:40 illusion of her mother. As for the gentleman himself, his feelings were chiefly expressed,
0:49 not by embarrassment or dejection, or by trying to avoid her, but by stiffness of manner and
0:56 resentful silence. He scarcely ever spoke to her, and the assiduous attentions which he had been so
1:03 sensible of himself were transferred for the rest of the day to miss lucas whose civility in listening to him was a seasonable relief to them all and especially to her friend
1:18 the morrow produced no abatement of mrs bennet's ill-humour or ill-health. Mr. Collins was also in the same
1:27 state of angry pride. Elizabeth had hoped that his resentment might shorten his visit,
1:34 but his plan did not appear in the least affected by it. He was always to have gone on Saturday,
1:41 and to Saturday he still meant to stay.
1:48 After breakfast the girls walked to Meryton to inquire if Mr. Wickham were returned
1:50 and to lament over his absence from the Netherfield Ball.
1:55 He joined them on their entering the town
1:57 and attended them to their aunts,
2:00 where his regret and vexation
2:02 and the concern of everybody body were well talked over to elizabeth however he voluntarily acknowledged that the necessity of his absence had been self-imposed as the time drew near that i had better not meet mr darcy that to be in the same room the same party with him for so many hours together might be more than i could bear and that scenes might arise unpleasant to more than myself approved his forbearance, and they had leisure for a full discussion of it, and for all the
2:46 commendation which they civilly bestowed on each other, as Wickham and another officer
2:51 walked back with them to Longbourn, and during the walk he particularly attended to her.
2:58 His accompanying them was a double advantage.
3:02 She felt all the compliment it offered to herself, and it was most acceptable as an
3:07 occasion of introducing him to her father and mother. Soon after their return a letter was
3:15 delivered to Miss Bennet. It came from Netherfield, and was opened immediately.
3:21 The envelope contained a sheet of elegant little hot-pressed paper, well covered with a lady's fair, flowing hand, and Elizabeth saw her sister's countenance change as she read it, and saw her letter away, tried to join with her usual cheerfulness in the general conversation.
3:49 But Elizabeth felt an anxiety on the subject which drew off her attention even from Wickham.
3:56 And no sooner had he and his companion taken leave
3:59 than a glance from Jane invited her to follow her upstairs.
4:06 When they had gained their own room, Jane, taking out her letter, said,
4:12 This is from Caroline Bingley.
4:16 What it contains has surprised me a good deal.
4:20 The whole party have left Netherfield by this time, and are on their way to town,
4:24 and without
4:26 any intention of coming back again. You shall hear what she says."
4:33 She then read the first sentence aloud, which comprised the information of their having
4:38 just resolved to follow their brother to town directly, and of their meaning to dine that
4:43 day in Grosvenor Street, where Mr.
4:45 Hurst had a house.
4:48 The next was in these words.
4:51 I do not pretend to regret anything I shall leave in Hertfordshire, except your society,
4:58 my dearest friend, but we will hope, at some future period, to enjoy many returns of that delightful intercourse
5:06 we have known, and in the meanwhile may lessen the pain of separation by a very frequent
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