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CHAPTER XI . WHEN the ladies removed after dinner Elizabeth ran up to her sister , and seeing her well guarded from cold , attended her into the drawing - room , where she was welcomed by her two friends with many professions of pleasure ; and Elizabeth had never seen them so agreeable as they were during the hour which passed before the gentlemen appeared . Their powers of conversation were considerable . They could describe an entertainment with accuracy , relate an anecdote with humour , and laugh at their acquaintance with spirit . But when the gentlemen entered , Jane was no longer the first object ; Miss Bingley’s eyes were instantly turned towards Darcy , and she had something to say to him before he had advanced many steps . He addressed himself directly to Miss Bennet with a polite congratulation ; Mr . Hurst also made her a slight bow , and said he was “ very glad ; ” but diffuseness and warmth remained for Bingley’s salutation . He was full of joy and attention . The first half hour was spent in piling up the fire , lest she should suffer from the change of room ; and she removed , at his desire , to the other side of the fireplace , that she might be farther from the door . He then sat down by her , and talked scarcely to anyone else . Elizabeth , at work in the opposite corner , saw it all with great delight . When tea was over Mr . Hurst reminded his sister - in - law of the card - table — but in vain . She had obtained private intelligence that Mr . Darcy did not wish for cards , and Mr . Hurst soon found even his open petition rejected . She assured him that no one intended to play , and the silence of the whole party on the subject seemed to justify her . Mr . Hurst had , therefore , nothing to do but to stretch himself on one of the sofas and go to sleep . Darcy took up a book . Miss Bingley did the same ; and Mrs . Hurst , principally occupied in playing with her bracelets and rings , joined now and then in her brother’s conversation with Miss Bennet . Miss Bingley’s attention was quite as much engaged in watching Mr . Darcy’s progress through his book , as in reading her own ; and she was perpetually either making some inquiry , or looking at his page . She could not win him , however , to any conversation ; he merely answered her question and read on . At length , quite exhausted by the attempt to be amused with her own book , which she had only chosen because it was the second volume of his , she gave a great yawn and said , “ How pleasant it is to spend an evening in this way ! I declare , after all , there is no enjoyment like reading ! How much sooner one tires of anything than of a book ! When I have a house of my own , I shall be miserable if I have not an excellent library . ”
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