Chapter 79Until Elizabeth entered the salon in Netherfield and looked in vain for Mr. Waterhouse under the red coats gathered there, she had never had any doubts about his presence. The certainty of meeting him had not been hindered by any of those memories that had not unreasonably worried her. She had dressed with more than usual care and prepared herself in the best mood for the conquest of what was still invincible from his heart, trusting that it was no more than could be won in the course of the evening. But in a moment the terrible suspicion arose from his deliberately omitted for the pleasure of Mr. Drury in Woodland's invitation to the officers; and although this was not exactly the case, the absolute fact of his absence was pronounced by his friend Denny, to whom Linda eagerly tu
