sit by

“You either choose this method of passing the evening because you are in each other’s confidence, and have secret affairs to discuss, or because you are conscious that your figures appear to the greatest advantage in walking: if the first, I should be completely in your way; and if the second, I can admire you much better as I sit by the fire.”

Elizabeth then contrived to sit by her aunt.

Her prudent mother, occupied by the same ideas, forbore to invite him to sit by herself.

“And if I had not a letter to write myself, I might sit by you, and admire the evenness of your writing, as another young lady once did.