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She represented to her sister , as forcibly as possible , what she felt on the subject , and had soon the pleasure of seeing its happy effect . Jane’s temper was not desponding ; and she was gradually led to hope , though the diffidence of affection sometimes overcame the hope , that Bingley would return to Netherfield , and answer every wish of her heart . They agreed that Mrs . Bennet should only hear of the departure of the family , without being alarmed on the score of the gentleman’s conduct ; but even this partial communication gave her a great deal of concern , and she bewailed it as exceedingly unlucky that the ladies should happen to go away just as they were all getting so intimate together . After lamenting it , however , at some length , she had the consolation of thinking that Mr . Bingley would be soon down again , and soon dining at Longbourn ; and the conclusion of all was the comfortable declaration , that , though he had been invited only to a family dinner , she would take care to have two full courses . CHAPTER XXII . THE Bennets were engaged to dine with the Lucases ; and again , during the chief of the day , was Miss Lucas so kind as to listen to Mr . Collins . Elizabeth took an opportunity of thanking her . “ It keeps him in good humour , ” said she , “ and I am more obliged to you than I can express . ” Charlotte assured her friend of her satisfaction in being useful , and that it amply repaid her for the little sacrifice of her time . This was very amiable ; but Charlotte’s kindness extended farther than Elizabeth had any conception of : — its object was nothing less than to secure her from any return of Mr . Collins’s addresses , by engaging them towards herself . Such was Miss Lucas’s scheme ; and appearances were so favourable , that when they parted at night , she would have felt almost sure of success if he had not been to leave Hertfordshire so very soon . But here she did injustice to the fire and independence of his character ; for it led him to escape out of Longbourn House the next morning with admirable slyness , and hasten to Lucas Lodge to throw himself at her feet . He was anxious to avoid the notice of his cousins , from a conviction that , if they saw him depart , they could not fail to conjecture his design , and he was not willing to have the attempt known till its success could be known likewise ; for , though feeling almost secure , and with reason , for Charlotte had been tolerably encouraging , he was comparatively diffident since the adventure of Wednesday . His reception , however , was of the most flattering kind . Miss Lucas perceived him from an upper window as he walked towards the house , and instantly set out to meet him accidentally in the lane . But little had she dared to hope that so much love and eloquence awaited her there .
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