William Merritt Chase Peonies painting

William Merritt Chase Peonies painting
Henri Fantin-Latour Flowers in a Bowl painting
After breakfast, the girls walked to Meryton, to inquire if Mr. Wickham were returned, and to lament over his absence from the Netherfield ball. He joined them on their entering the town and attended them to their aunt's, where his regret and vexation, and the concern of every body was well talked over. -- To Elizabeth, however, he voluntarily acknowledged that the necessity of his absence had been self imposed.
``I found,'' said he, ``as the time drew near, that I had better not meet Mr. Darcy; -- that to be in the same room, the same party with him for so many hours together, might be more than I could bear, and that scenes might arise unpleasant to more than myself.''
She highly approved his forbearance, and they had leisure for a full discussion of it, and for all the commendation which they civilly bestowed on