Chapter 12

In consequence of an agreement between the sisters, Elizabeth wrote the next morning to her mother. She begged that the carriage might be sent for them in the course of the day. But Mrs. Bennet had calculated on her daughters remaining at Netherfield till the following Tuesday, which would exactly finish Jane's week. She could not bring herself to receive them with pleasure before. Her answer, therefore, was not propitious, at least not to Elizabeth's wishes, for she was impatient to get home. Mrs. Bennet sent them word that they could not possibly have the carriage before Tuesday. In her postscript it was added that if Mr. Bingley and his sister pressed them to stay longer, she could spare them very well. Against staying longer, however, Elizabeth was positively resolved. Nor did she much expect it would be asked. On the contrary, she was fearful of being considered as intruding themselves needlessly long. So she urged Jane to borrow Mr. Bingley's carriage immediately. At length it was settled that their original design of leaving Netherfield that morning should be mentioned, and the request made.

The communication excited many professions of concern. Enough was said of wishing them to stay at least till the following day to work on Jane. Till the morrow their going was deferred. Miss Bingley was then sorry that she had proposed the delay. Her jealousy and dislike of one sister much exceeded her affection for the other.

The master of the house heard with real sorrow that they were to go so soon. He repeatedly tried to persuade Miss Bennet that it would not be safe for her, that she was not enough recovered. But Jane was firm where she felt herself to be right.

To Mr. Darcy it was welcome intelligence. Elizabeth had been at Netherfield long enough. She attracted him more than he liked. Miss Bingley was uncivil to her, and more teasing than usual to himself. He wisely resolved to be particularly careful that no sign of admiration should now escape him. Nothing should be done that could elevate her with the hope of influencing his felicity. He was sensible that, if such an idea had been suggested, his behaviour during the last day must have material weight in confirming or crushing it. Steady to his purpose, he scarcely spoke ten words to her through the whole of Saturday. Though they were at one time left by themselves for half an hour, he adhered most conscientiously to his book. He would not even look at her.

On Sunday, after morning service, the separation took place. It was agreeable to almost all. Miss Bingley's civility to Elizabeth increased at last very rapidly, as well as her affection for Jane. When they parted, she assured Jane of the pleasure it would always give her to see her either at Longbourn or Netherfield. She embraced her most tenderly. She even shook hands with Elizabeth. Elizabeth took leave of the whole party in the liveliest spirits.

They were not welcomed home very cordially by their mother. Mrs. Bennet wondered at their coming. She thought them very wrong to give so much trouble, and was sure Jane would have caught cold again. But their father, though very laconic in his expressions of pleasure, was really glad to see them. He had felt their importance in the family circle. The evening conversation, when they were all assembled, had lost much of its animation by the absence of Jane and Elizabeth. It had lost almost all its sense.

They found Mary, as usual, deep in the study of thorough bass and human nature. They had some new extracts to admire, and some new observations of threadbare morality to listen to. Kitty and Lydia had information for them of a different sort. Much had been done, and much had been said in the regiment since the preceding Wednesday. Several of the officers had dined lately with their uncle. A private had been flogged. It had actually been hinted that Colonel Forster was going to be married.