Mrs. Bennet was prevented replying by the entrance of the footman with a note for Miss Bennet; it came from Netherfield, and the servant waited for an answer. Mrs. Bennet's eyes sparkled with pleasure, and she was eagerly calling out, while her daughter read,

     "Well, Jane, who is it from? What is it about? What does he say? Well, Jane, make haste and tell us; make haste, my love."

     "It is from Miss Bingley," said Jane, and then read it aloud.

     "MY DEAR FRIEND,--

     "If you are not so compassionate as to dine to-day with Louisa and me, we shall be in danger of hating each other for the rest of our lives, for a whole day's tete-a-tete between two women can never end without a quarrel. Come as soon as you can on receipt of this. My brother and the gentlemen are to dine with the officers.--Yours ever,

     "CAROLINE BINGLEY"

     "With the officers!" cried Lydia. "I wonder my aunt did not tell us of that."

     "Dining out," said Mrs. Bennet, "that is very unlucky."