Chapter 8

           Atfiveo’clockthetwoladiesretiredtodress,andathalf-pastsixElizabethwassummonedtodinner. Tothecivilinquirieswhichthenpouredin,andamongstwhichshehadthepleasureofdistinguishingthemuchsuperiorsolicitudeofMr.Bingley’s, shecouldnotmakeaveryfavourableanswer. Janewasbynomeansbetter. Thesisters,onhearingthis,repeatedthreeorfourtimeshowmuchtheyweregrieved,howshockingitwastohaveabadcold,andhowexcessivelytheydislikedbeingillthemselves;andthenthoughtnomoreofthematter: andtheirindifferencetowardsJanewhennotimmediatelybeforethemrestoredElizabethtotheenjoymentofallherformerdislike. 

           Theirbrother,indeed,wastheonlyoneofthepartywhomshecouldregardwithanycomplacency. HisanxietyforJanewasevident,andhisattentionstoherselfmostpleasing,andtheypreventedherfeelingherselfsomuchanintruderasshebelievedshewasconsideredbytheothers. Shehadverylittlenoticefromanybuthim. MissBingleywasengrossedbyMr.Darcy,hersisterscarcelylessso;andasforMr.Hurst,bywhomElizabethsat,hewasanindolentman,wholivedonlytoeat,drink,andplayatcards;who,whenhefoundhertopreferaplaindishtoaragout,hadnothingtosaytoher. 

           Whendinnerwasover,shereturneddirectlytoJane,andMissBingleybeganabusingherassoonasshewasoutoftheroom. Hermannerswerepronouncedtobeverybadindeed,amixtureofprideandimpertinence;shehadnoconversation,nostyle,nobeauty. Mrs.Hurstthoughtthesame,andadded: 

           "Shehasnothing,inshort,torecommendher,butbeinganexcellentwalker. Ishallneverforgetherappearancethismorning.Shereallylookedalmostwild."