So did Mr.Bennet, whose eyes wandered about the room, resting for a few instants upon Boniface, then sliding toward his wife.

Boniface himself seemed to be entirely unconscious of any pause, or of any person, or of any thing, except some mysterious erratic measure that he was beating with the bony fingers.
"It is a great while since we have met, Mrs.Newt," said Mrs.Bennet.
"Yes," returned Mrs.Nancy Newt, rapidly; "and now that we are to be so very nearly related, it is really high time that we became intimate." She looked, however, very far off from intimacy with the person she addressed.
"I am glad our children are so happy, Mrs.Newt," said Gerald Bennet, in a tremulous voice, with his eyes glimmering.
"Yes.

I am glad Gabriel's prospects are so good," returned Mrs.Newt.
"I've no doubt he'll be a very rich man very soon." When she had spoken, Boniface Newt, still drumming, turned his face and looked quietly at his wife.

Nobody spoke.

Gabriel only winced at what May's mother had said; and they all looked at Boniface.