Elizabeth was pleased to find his memory so exact; and he afterwards took occasion to ask her,when unattended to by any of the rest,whether all her sisters were at Longbourn.There was not much in the question,nor in the preceding remark;but there was a look and a manner which gave them meaning.
They had not been long together before Mr.Darcy told her that Bingley was also coming to wait on her;and she had barely time to express her satisfaction,and prepare for such a visitor,when Bingley's quick step was heard on the stairs,and in a moment he entered the room.All Elizabeth's anger against him had been long done away;but had she still felt any,it could hardly have stood its ground against the unaffected cordiality with which he expressed himself on seeing her again. He inquired in a friendly, though general way,after her family,and looked and spoke with the same good-humoured ease that he had ever done.
Miss Darcy and her brother appeared, and this formidable introduction took place.With astonishment did Elizabeth see that her new acquaintance was at least as much embarrassed as herself. Since her being at Lambton, she had heard that Miss Darcy was exceedingly proud; but the observation of a very few minutes convinced her that she was only exceedingly shy. She found it difficult to obtain even a word from her beyond a monosyllable.