Part 30 (1/2)

CHARLOTTE.

[_Smiling._] Well, well, Eliza! That speech savours a little of--disappointment.

ELIZABETH.

Oh, yes--anything you please!

CHARLOTTE.

[_Changing the subject._] And you say that Jane is not in her usual spirits?

ELIZABETH.

[_Shortly._] Yes.

CHARLOTTE.

And she is looking poorly?

ELIZABETH.

[_Still more shortly._] Yes--very!

CHARLOTTE.

Did she see much of the Bingleys in London?

ELIZABETH.

[_Bursting out hotly._] She saw nothing of them. Oh, Charlotte, I have just had all my suspicions verified.

CHARLOTTE.

Your suspicions?

ELIZABETH.

Yes, there has been an arrangement in all this. Mr. Bingley has been kept away from Jane by---- [_Stops suddenly._]

CHARLOTTE.