Music Welcome to Snoozecast, the podcast designed to help you fall asleep. Find us at snoozecast.com and if you enjoy our show, please share us with a friend. This episode is brought to you by the grounds of Pemberley. Tonight we shall read the next part to Pride and Precious written by Jane Austen. In the last episode, soon after Wickham and Lydia leave Mrs. Bennett hears rumors that Bingley is returning to to Netherfield. Mr. Bennett refuses to visit him, however. Not long after, Bingley and Darcy visit the Bennets. Mrs. Bennett gives a warm welcome to Bingley and almost none to Darcy. She then goes on to speak glowingly about Lydia's marriage to Wickham.

Much to Elizabeth's mortification. Let's get cozy. Close your eyes.

Relax your body into the softness of your bed.

Now, take a few deep breaths. CHAPTER 54 As soon as they were gone, Elizabeth walked out to recover her spirits, or, in other words, to dwell without interruption on those subjects which must deaden them more. Mr. Darcy's behavior astonished and vexed her. Why, if he came only to be silent, grave, and indifferent," said she, did he come at all? She could settle it in no way that gave her pleasure. He could be still amiable, still pleasing to my uncle and aunt when he was in town, and why not to me? If he fears me, why come hither? If he no longer cares for me, why silent? Teasing, teasing man, I will think no more about him." Her resolution was for a short time involuntarily kept by the approach of her sister, who joined her with a cheerful look, which showed her better satisfied with their visitors than Elizabeth. Now, said she, that this first meeting is over, I feel perfectly easy. I know my own strength, and I shall never be embarrassed again by his coming. I am glad he dines here on Tuesday. will then be publicly seen that on both sides we meet only as common and indifferent acquaintance. Yes, very indifferent indeed. Settle is a bit laughingly. Oh Jane, take care. My dear Lizzie, you cannot think me so weak as to be in danger now. I think you are in very great danger of making him as much in love with you as ever. They did not see the gentleman again till Tuesday, and Mrs. Bennett, in the meanwhile, was giving way to all the happy schemes, which the good humor and common politeness of Bingley in half an hour's visit had revived. On Tuesday, there was a large party assembled at Longborn, and the two who were most anxiously expected to the credit of their punctuality as sportsmen were in very good time. When they repaired to the dining room, Elizabeth eagerly watched to see whether Bingley would take the place which and all their former parties had belonged to him.

Buyer. watched to see whether Bingley would take the place which, in all their former parties,

had belonged to him by her sister. Her prudent mother occupied by the same ideas, for Bore to invite him to sit by herself. On entering the room, he seemed to hesitate, but Jane happened to look round and happened to smile. It was decided. He placed himself by her. Elizabeth, with a triumphant sensation, looked towards his friend. He bore it with noble indifference, and she would have imagined that Bingley had received his sanction to be happy. Had she not seen his eyes likewise turned towards Mr. Darcy, with an expression of half laughing alarm. His behavior to her sister was such during dinner time as showed an admiration of her, which, though more guarded than formerly, persuaded Elizabeth that, if left wholly to himself, Jane's happiness and his own, would be speedily secured. Though she dared not depend upon the consequence, she yet received pleasure from observing his behavior.

It gave her all the animation that her spirits could boast, for she was in no cheerful humor. Mr. Darcy was almost as far from her as the table could divide them. He was on one side of her mother. She knew how little such a situation would give pleasure to either, or make either appear to advantage. She was not near enough to hear any of their discourse, but she could see how seldom they spoke to each other, and how formal and cold was their manner whenever they did. Her mother's ungraciousness made the sense of what they owed him more painful to Elizabeth's mind, and she would, at times, have given anything to be privileged to tell him that his kindness was neither unknown nor unfelt by the whole of the family. She was in hopes that the evening would afford some opportunity of bringing them together, that the whole of the visit would not pass away without enabling them to enter into something more of conversation than the mere ceremonial salutation attending his entrance. Anxious and uneasy, the period which passed in the drawing-room before the gentleman came, was weir some and dull to a degree that almost made her uncivil. She looked forward to their entrance as the point on which all her chance of pleasure for the evening must depend. If he does not come to me then, said she, I shall give him up forever." The gentleman came, and she thought he looked as if he would have answered her hopes, But alas, the ladies had crowded round the table, where Miss Bennett was making tea, and Elizabeth pouring out the coffee, and so close a confederacy that there was not a single vacancy near her which would admit of a chair. And on the gentleman's approaching, one of the girls moved closer to her than ever, and said in a whisper, The men shant come and part us, I am determined, we want none of them do we. Darcy had walked away to another part of the room. She followed him with her eyes and veered everyone to whom he spoke. Had scarcely patience enough to help anybody to coffee and then was enraged against herself for being so silly. A man who has once been refused, how could I ever be foolish enough to expect a renewal of his love? Is there one among the sex who would not protest against such a weakness as a second proposal to the same woman. There is no indignity so abhorrent to their feelings. She was a little revived, however, by his bringing back his coffee cop himself, and she sees the opportunity of saying, Is your sister at Pemberley still? Yes, she will remain there till Christmas, and quite alone have all her friends left her. Mrs. Ainsley is with her, the others have gone on to Scarborough these three weeks. She could think of nothing more to say, but if he wished to converse with her, he might have better success. He stood by her, however, for some minutes in silence. And at last, on the young lady's whispering to Elizabeth again, he walked away. When the tea-things were removed and the card tables placed, the lady's all rose, and Elizabeth was then hoping to be soon joined by him when all her views were overthrown by seeing him fall a victim to her mother's repacity for wrist players and in a few moments after seated with the rest of the party. She now lost every expectation of pleasure. They were confined for the evening at different tables, and she had nothing to hope, but that his eyes were so often turned towards her side of the room as to make him play as unsuccessfully as herself. Mrs. Bennett had designed to keep the two Netherfield gentlemen to supper, but their her carriage was, unluckily, ordered before any of the others.

And she had no opportunity of detaining them. "'Well, girls,' said she, as soon as they were left to themselves. What say you to the day? I think everything has passed off uncommonly well, I assure you. The dinner was as well dressed as any I ever saw. The venison was roasted to a turn, and everybody said. They never saw so fat a haunch. The soup was fifty times better than we had at the Lucas's last week, and even Mr. Darcy acknowledged that the partridges were remarkably well done. And I suppose he has two or three French cooks at least, and my dear Jane, I never saw you look in greater beauty. Mrs. Long said so too, for I asked her whether you did not. And what do you think she said besides? Ah, Mrs. Bennett, we shall have her at another field at last. She did indeed. I do think Mrs. Long is as good a creature as ever lived, and her nieces are very pretty behaved girls, and not at all handsome. I like them prodigiously." Mrs. Bennett, in short, was in very great spirits. She had seen enough of Bingley's behavior to Jane to be convinced that she would get him at last. And her expectations of advantage to her family when in a happy humor were so far beyond reason that she was quite disappointed at not seeing him him there again the next day to make his proposals. It has been a very agreeable day," said Miss Bennett to Elizabeth. The party seemed so well selected, so suitable one with the other. I hope we may often meet again." Elizabeth smiled. Lizzy, you must not do so. You must not suspect me. Hit mortifies me. I assure you that I have now learnt to enjoy his conversation as an agreeable and sensible young man without having a wish beyond it. I am perfectly satisfied from what his manners now are, that he never had any design of engaging my affection. It is only that he is blessed with greater sweetness of address, and a stronger desire of generally pleasing than any other man. "'You are very cruel,' said her sister. "'You will not let me smile and are provoking me to at every moment.' "'How hard it is in some cases to be believed and how impossible in others.

But why should you wish to persuade me

that I feel more than I acknowledge?

That is a question which I hardly know how to answer.

We all love to instruct, though we can teach only

what is not worth knowing.

Forgive me, and if you persist in indifference, do not make me your confidant. Chapter 55. A few days after this visit, Mr. Bingley called again and alone. His friend had left him that morning for London, but was to return home in ten days' time. He sat with them above an hour and was in remarkably good spirits. Mrs. Bennett invited him to dine with them, but with many expressions of concern, he confessed himself engaged elsewhere. Next time you call, said she, I hope we shall be more lucky. He should be particularly happy at any time, etc., etc. And if she would give him leave, would take an

early opportunity of waiting on them. Can you come tomorrow? Yes, he had no engagement at all for tomorrow and her invitation was accepted with alacrity.

He came and in such very good time that the ladies were none of them dressed. In ran Mrs. Bennett to her daughter's room, in her dressing gown, with her hair half finished crying out. By dear Jane, make haste and hurry down. He is calm. Mr. Bingley is calm. He is indeed. Make haste, make haste. Here Sarah, come to Miss Bennett this moment and help her on with her gown. Never mind Miss Lizzie's hair. We will be down as soon as we can," said Jane. But I dare say Kitty is forwarder than either of us. For she went upstairs half an hour ago. Oh, hang Kitty! What has she to do with it? Come, be quick, be quick! Where's your sash, my dear?" But when her mother was gone, Jane would not be prevailed on to go down without one of her sisters. The same anxiety to get them by themselves was visible again in the evening. After tea, Mr. Bennett retired to the library, as was his custom, and Mary went upstairs to her instrument. Two obstacles of the five being thus removed, Mrs. Bennett sat looking and winking at Elizabeth and Catherine for a considerable time without making any impression on them. Elizabeth would not observe her, and when it last Kitty did, she very innocently said, what is the matter, Mama? What do you keep winking at me for? What am I to do? Nothing child, nothing. I did not wink at you. She then sat still five minutes longer, but unable to waste such a precious occasion. She suddenly got up and saying to Kitty, Come here my love, I want to speak to you, took her out of the room. Jane instantly gave a look at Elizabeth, which spoke her distress at such premeditation, and her entreaty that she would not give into it. In a few minutes, Mrs. Bennett half opened the door and called out, Lizzie, my dear, I want to speak to you. Elizabeth was forced to go. We may as well leave them by themselves, you know," said her mother, as soon as she was in the hall. Kitty and I are going upstairs to sit in my dressing room. Elizabeth made no attempt to reason with her mother, but remains quietly in the hall till she and Kitty were out of sight, then returned into the drawing-room. Mrs. Bennett's schemes for this day were ineffectual. Bingley was everything that was charming, except the professed lover of her daughter. His ease and cheerfulness rendered him a most agreeable addition to their evening party, and he bore with the ill-judged officiousness of the mother, and heard all her silly remarks with a four-bearance and command of countenance particularly grateful to the daughter. He scarcely needed an invitation to stay supper, and before he went away an engagement was formed, chiefly through his own and Mrs. Bennet means for his coming next morning to shoot with her husband. After this day, Jane said no more of her indifference, not a word passed between the sisters concerning Bingley, but Elizabeth went to bed in the happy belief that all must speedily be concluded, unless Mr. Darcy returned within the stated time. Seriously, however, she felt tolerably persuaded that all this must have taken place with that gentleman's concurrence. Bingley was punctual to his appointment, and he and Mr. Bennett spent the morning together as had been agreed upon. The latter was much more agreeable than his companion expected. There was nothing of presumption or folly in Bingley that could provoke his ridicule or discuss him into silence, and he was more communicative and less eccentric than the other had ever seen him. Bingly, of course, returned with him to dinner, and in the evening Mrs. Bennett's invention was again at work to get everybody away from him and her daughter. Elizabeth, who had a letter to write, went into the breakfast room for that purpose soon after tea. For, as the others were all going to sit down to cards, she could not be wanted to counteract her mother's schemes. But on her returning to the drawing room, when her letter was finished, she saw, to her infinite surprise, there was reason to fear that her mother had been too ingenious for her. On opening the door, she perceived her sister and Bingley standing together over the hearth as if engaged in earnest conversation and had this led to no suspicion, the faces of both as they hastily turned round and moved away from each other, would have told it all. Their situation was awkward enough, but hers she thought was still worse. Not a syllable was uttered by either, and Elizabeth was on the point of going away again, and Bingley, who as well as the other had sat down, suddenly rose and whispering a few words to her sister, ran out of the room. could have no reserves from Elizabeth, where confidence would give pleasure, and instantly embracing her acknowledged with the liveliest emotion that she was the happiest creature in the world. It is too much, she added.

By far too much, I do not deserve it. "'Oh, why is not everybody as happy?' Elizabeth's congratulations were given with a sincerity, a warmth, a delight, which words could but poorly express. Every sentence of kindness was a fresh source of happiness to Jane, but she would not allow herself to stay with her sister, or say half that remained to be said for the present. I must go instantly to my mother. She cried. I would not on any account trifle with her affectionate solicitude, or allow her to hear it from anyone but myself. He has gone to my father already. Oh, Lizzy, to know that what I have to relate will give such pleasure to all my dear family. How shall I bear so much happiness?" She then hastened away to her mother, who had purposely broken up the card party, and was sitting upstairs with Kitty. Elizabeth, who was left by herself, now smiled at the rapidity and ease with which an affair was finally settled, that had given them so many previous months of suspense and vexation.

And this, Fetché, is the end of all his friends anxious circumspection

of all his sister's falsehood and contrivance,

the happiest, wisest, and most reasonable end.

In a few minutes, she was joined by Bingley, whose conference with her father had been short and to the purpose. Where's your sister?" said he, hastily as he opened the door.

With my mother upstairs, sheily as he opened the door.

...