Jane Austen
Pride and Prejudice

Chapter 1

A wealthy man, if he is single, must need a wife. This is a universal truth.

Therefore, when such a man first arrives in some neighborhood, all the families in that neighborhood are sure that he must marry one of their daughters.

Mr. Bennet and Mrs. Bennet had five daughters, so, as soon as she had heard that Netherfield Park had been let, Mrs. Bennet came to her husband and told him about it.

Mr. Bennet was silent.

«Don't you want to know who has taken it?» his wife asked excitedly.

Her husband said that he had no objection to hearing what she wanted to tell him.

In a happily excited manner Mrs. Bennet told him that Netherfield was taken by a single young man from the north of England. His name was Bingley, and his income was four or five thousand a year.

«What a fine thing for our girls!» she exclaimed.

«Why? How does it concern them?»

«My dear Mr. Bennet», replied his wife, «how tiring you are! You very well know that I am thinking of his marrying one of them».

«Is that why he has decided to settle here?»

«What nonsense you are talking! But I think he may fall in love with one of them, and therefore you must visit him as soon as he comes».

«I can't see why I should. You and the girls may go, or, better still, you may send them by themselves. You are as beautiful as any of them, and Mr. Bingley may like you the best of the party».

«Don't flatter me, my dear. I can't pretend to be anything extraordinary now. When a woman has five grown-up daughters, she ought to stop thinking of her own beauty».

«It can only happen to a woman who has never had much beauty at all».

«But, Mr. Bennet, you must indeed go and pay Mr. Bingley a visit when he comes into the neighborhood».

«It is more than I can promise, I assure you».

«But think of your daughters. What good fortune it would be for one of them. Sir William and Lady Lucas don't usually visit newcomers, but they decided to go now, just for that reason, for their daughter's sake. Indeed you must go. If you don't go, it will be impossible for us to visit him».

«You are over-scrupulous, my dear. I'm sure Mr. Bingley will be very glad to see you; and I will send a note by you in which I'll assure him that I will give my hearty consent whichever of the girls he chooses to marry; though I will put in a good word for my little Lizzy».

«You shouldn't do anything like that. Lizzy is not a bit better than the others; and she is not half so beautiful as Jane, and not half so cheerful as Lydia. But you are always giving her the preference».

«None of them have much to recommend them», replied he, «they are all silly and ignorant like other girls; but Lizzy is more quick-witted than her sisters».

«Mr. Bennet, how can you say such nasty things about your own children? You like to annoy me so much. You have no compassion for my poor nerves».

«On the contrary, my dear. I have a high respect for your nerves. They are my old friends. I have listened to your talking about them with great compassion these last twenty years at least».

«Ah, you do not know how much I suffer».

Mr. Bennet expressed his hope that his wife would live long and see many single young men of four thousand a year in the neighborhood.

«Since you will not visit them, it will be of no use to us, if twenty such men should come».

«I can assure you, my dear Mrs. Bennet, that when there are twenty, I will visit them all».

Mr. Bennet was such a strange mixture of personality traits, sarcastic humor, reserve, and whims, that for twenty three years of their married life his wife hadn't been able to understand his character. Her mind was of a simpler structure. She was a woman of a very average intelligence, little information, and uncertain temper. When she was displeased, she imagined herself nervous. The business of her life was to get her daughters married; its consolation was visiting and gossip.

Chapter 2

Mr. Bennet paid a visit to Mr. Bingley in the morning, but he didn't say anything about it to his wife. He had always intended to visit him, but till the evening after the visit was paid she had no knowledge of it. In the evening Lizzy, his second daughter, was trimming a hat, and he suddenly said:

«I hope Mr. Bingley will like it, Lizzy».

«We won't be able to know what Mr. Bingley likes», said her mother angrily, «since we are not to visit».

«But you forget, mamma», said Elizabeth, «that we'll meet him at the assemblies, and that Mrs. Long promised to introduce him».

«Mrs. Long has two nieces of her own. She is a selfish, hypocritical woman, and I do not believe her», her mother said.

Mr. Bennet agreed with her. But Mrs. Bennet was so annoyed that she began scolding one of her daughters.

«Stop coughing so, Kitty, for Heaven's sake! Have a little compassion on my nerves».

«I do not amuse myself by coughing», replied Kitty uneasily. «When is your next ball to be, Lizzy?»

«In a fortnight».

«But Mrs. Long does not come back till the day before the ball», cried her mother, «so she won't be able to introduce him: she will not know him herself».

«Then, my dear», her husband said, «you will introduce your friend to Mr. Bingley».

«It's impossible, Mr. Bennet. I am not acquainted with him myself».

«A fortnight's acquaintance is certainly very little. One cannot know what a man really is by the end of a fortnight. But Mrs. Long and her nieces must have their chance; and, therefore, if you don't do it, I will take it on myself».

The girls stared at their father. Mrs. Bennet said only «Nonsense, nonsense!»

«I cannot quite agree with you there», he said. «Do you consider the forms of introduction as nonsense? What will you say, Mary? You are a young lady of deep thought, I know, and read great books».

Mary wished to say something sensible, but knew not how.

«While Mary is thinking what to say», he continued, «let us return to Mr. Bingley».

«I am sick of Mr. Bingley», exclaimed his wife.

«I'm sorry. If I had known that this morning, I certainly would not have visited him», her husband said. «But I have paid the visit, so we cannot escape the acquaintance now».

The ladies were surprised as much as he wished; Mrs. Bennet most of all; though soon she said that she had expected it all the time.

«My dear Mr. Bennet, I knew you loved your girls so much! Well, how pleased I am!»

«Now, Kitty, you may cough as much as you want», said Mr. Bennet. And he left the room, tired of his wife's joyful exclamations.

«You have a wonderful father, girls!» said she, when the door was closed. «I do not know how you will ever repay him for his kindness; or me, either. At our age it is not so pleasant to be making new acquaintances every day; but for your sakes, we would do anything. Lydia, my love, though you are the youngest, I'm sure Mr. Bingley will dance with you at the next ball».

«Oh!» said Lydia confidently, «I am not afraid. Though I am the youngest, I'm the tallest».

How soon Mr. Bingley would return Mr. Bennet's visit, and when they should ask him to dinner were the most important subjects of the ladies' evening conversation.

Chapter 3

Mrs. Bennet and all her five daughters tried hard to get some satisfactory description of Mr. Bingley from Mr. Bennet. They attacked him in various ways: with direct questions, open suppositions, and unclear guesses. But he escaped the skill of them all, and they at last turned to their neighbor, Lady Lucas. Her description was highly favourable. Sir William had been delighted with him. He was quite young, wonderfully handsome, very pleasant and, most important, he was going to the next assembly with a large party. It was most delightful! If a man was fond of dancing, he was certainly able to fall in love; and Mr. Bingley's heart was the subject of very exciting hopes.

In a few days Mr. Bingley returned Mr. Bennet's visit, and sat about ten minutes with him in his library. He had heard much of the young ladies' beauty and hoped to meet them, but he saw only the father. The ladies were somewhat more fortunate: from an upper window they were able to see that he wore a blue coat, and rode a black horse.

Soon afterwards, an invitation to dinner was sent to Mr. Bingley. Mrs. Bennet had planned the menu that was to do credit to her housekeeping, but it all had to be put off. Mr. Bingley in his answer wrote that, unfortunately, he was unable to accept the honour of their invitation as he was to be in town the following day. Mrs. Bennet was quite upset. She could not imagine what business he could have in town so soon after his arrival in Hertfordshire; and she began to fear that he might never settle at Netherfield, flying about from one place to another. Lady Lucas calmed her a little by saying that Mr. Bingley, perhaps, had gone to London only to get a large party for the ball; and, indeed, they soon heard that Mr. Bingley was to bring twelve ladies and seven gentlemen with him to the assembly. The number of ladies upset the girls, but the day before the ball they were comforted by hearing that he had brought only six ladies with him from London: his five sisters and a cousin. And on the assembly day Mr. Bingley's party consisted of only five altogether: Mr. Bingley, his two sisters, the husband of the eldest, and another young man.

Mr. Bingley was good-looking and gentlemanlike; he had a pleasant open face, and natural manners. His sisters were elegant women, and looked very stylish. His brother-in-law, Mr. Hurst, only looked the gentleman. But the attention of the assembly room was soon drawn to his friend Mr. Darcy with his fine, tall figure, handsome face, noble bearing, and the word, spread within five minutes after his entrance, of his having ten thousand a year. The gentlemen said he was a fine figure of a man, the ladies decided he was much handsomer than Mr. Bingley, and he was the object of great admiration for about half the evening, till his manners gave out that he was proud, above his company, and above being pleased; then even his large estate in Derbyshire could not save him from the general decision that he was a most unpleasant person, unworthy to be compared with his friend.

Mr. Bingley had soon made acquaintance with all the chief people in the room; he was lively and danced every dance, was sorry that the ball closed so early, and talked of giving a ball himself at Netherfield. Such contrast between him and his friend! Mr. Darcy mostly walked about the room, speaking from time to time to one of his own party. He danced only once with Mrs. Hurst and once with Miss Bingley, and did not wish to be introduced to any other lady. His character was decided. He was the proudest, most unpleasant man in the world, and everybody hoped that he would never come there again. Mrs. Bennet disliked him even more than the others because he had snubbed one of her daughters.

As the number of dancing gentlemen was limited, Elizabeth Bennet had to sit down for two dances. For some time, Mr. Darcy had been standing near enough, and she heard a conversation between him and Mr. Bingley, who came from the dance for a few minutes and invited his friend to join it.

«Come, Darcy», said he, «I hate to see you standing about by yourself in this stupid manner. You must dance».

«I certainly will not. You know how I hate it. I can only dance with a partner whom I know well. Your sisters are engaged, and it would be a punishment to me to dance with any other woman in the room».

«Don't be so hard to please!» cried Mr. Bingley «Upon my honour, I never met with so many pleasant girls in my life as I have this evening; and several of them are uncommonly pretty».

«You are dancing with the only beautiful girl in the room», said Mr. Darcy, looking at the eldest Miss Bennet.

«Oh! She is the most beautiful creature I ever met! But there is one of her sisters sitting down just behind you, who is very pretty, and very pleasant. I can ask my partner to introduce you».

Mr. Darcy turned round and looked for a moment at Elizabeth. Catching her eye, he turned away and coldly said: «She is tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me; I am not in the mood at present to give importance to young ladies who are snubbed by other men. You had better return to your partner and enjoy her smiles. You are wasting your time with me».

Elizabeth had no very hearty feelings toward him after that. She told the story, however, with great humor among her friends. Hers was a lively mind, a playful character, and she delighted in anything ridiculous.

On the whole, the ball was successful for the Bennet girls. Mrs. Bennet was pleased that her eldest daughter had been much admired by the Netherfield party. Mr. Bingley had danced with her twice, and his sisters had talked to her. Jane was very much pleased by this, too, but in a quieter way. Elizabeth felt Jane's pleasure. Mary had heard as somebody had called her the most accomplished girl in the neighborhood; and Catherine and Lydia had never found themselves without partners, their chief interest at a ball. Therefore, they returned home to Longbourn in good spirits. Mr. Bennet was still up. He usually didn't notice time when reading a book, but that evening he was rather curious about the ball which had raised such great expectations. He had rather hoped that his wife would be disappointed in her expectations concerning the stranger, but he soon found out that he had a different story to hear.

«Oh! my dear Mr. Bennet», she exclaimed as she entered the room, «we have had a most delightful evening. Jane was admired so much; and Mr. Bingley thought her quite beautiful, and danced with her twice! Just think of that, my dear; he actually danced with her twice! She was the only creature in the room that he asked a second time. First of all, he asked Miss Lucas. I was so annoyed by that! But, however, he did not admire her at all; indeed, nobody can, you know; and he was quite struck with Jane as she was going down the dance. So he asked who she was, and got introduced, and asked her for the next dance. Then he danced with Miss King, and then with Maria Lucas, and then with Jane again, and then with Lizzy, and the Boulanger…»

«If he had had any compassion for me», cried her husband impatiently, «he would not have danced half so much! For God's sake, say no more of his partners. I wish he had sprained his ankle in the first dance!»

Mrs. Bennet said she was quite delighted with Mr. Bingley and his charming sisters, and began to describe their elegant dresses. Here Mr. Bennet stopped her: he protested against any description of fine dresses. So Mrs. Bennet had to change the subject, and with much bitterness and some exaggeration, she told him the story of the shocking rudeness of Mr. Darcy.

«But I can assure you», she said in the end, «that Lizzy does not lose much if he doesn't fancy her. He is a most unpleasant, horrid man. So conceited! He walked here, and he walked there, thinking himself so very great! Not handsome enough to dance with! I wish you had been there, my dear, and had given him one of your set-downs. I quite hate the man».

Chapter 4

Alone with Elizabeth, Jane told her how very much she admired Mr. Bingley. She said that he was sensible, good-natured, lively, had such easy manners; a perfectly well-bred man, just as a young man ought to be.

«He is also handsome», added Elizabeth, «a young man ought to be, if he possibly can. His character is thus complete».

«I was very much flattered when he asked me to dance a second time. I did not expect such a compliment».

«But I did. And that is one great difference between us. Compliments always take you by surprise, and me never. It was quite natural that he had asked you again. He could not fail to see that you were about five times as pretty as every other woman in the room. No thanks to his gallantry for that. Well, he certainly is very pleasant, and l allow you to like him. You have liked many a stupider person».

«Dear Lizzy!»

«Oh! you do have a tendency to like people in general. You never see a defect in anybody. Everybody is good and agreeable in your eyes. You have never spoken badly of a person in your life».

«I would not wish to condemn anyone hastily; but I always speak what I think».

«I know you do; and that's the wonder. With your good mind you are blind to the defects and stupidity of others! Pretended sincerity is common enough – one meets with it everywhere. But you alone are truly sincere and see the good in everybody's character and make it still better, and say nothing of the bad. And so you like this man's sisters, too, don't you? Their manners are different from his».

«At first I thought so, too. But they are very pleasing women when you talk with them. Miss Bingley is to live with her brother, and keep his house; and I am certain we'll find a very charming neighbor in her».

Elizabeth was silent. She was of a different opinion about Mr. Bingley's sisters. Their behaviour at the assembly had not shown any desire to be pleasant. Elizabeth was more observant and her character was firmer than her sister's, and as her judgment wasn't influenced by any attention to herself, she was not at all ready to approve them. They were very fine ladies; could be good-good-humoredwhen they were pleased, could make themselves pleasant when they chose it, but they were proud and conceited. They were rather beautiful, had been educated in one of the first private seminaries in town, had a fortune of twenty thousand pounds, spent more money than they ought, and kept company with people of high position, and were therefore sure that they had every right to think well of themselves, and poorly of others. They were of a respectable family in the north of England, and that circumstance they remembered much better than the fact that their brother's fortune and their own had been acquired by trade.

Mr. Bingley's father had left him a good fortune (nearly hundred thousand pounds), and Mr. Bingley thought of buying an estate, and sometimes made choice of his county; but as he now possessed a good house in London and rented a manor in Hertfordshire, it was doubtful to many of those who best knew his easy temper, whether he might not spend his life at Netherfield, and leave the buying of an estate to the next generation.

His sisters would very much like if he had an estate of his own; but, though he was now only a tenant, Miss Bingley was eager to preside at his table, and Mrs. Hurst, who had married a man of more fashion than fortune, also liked to consider his house as her home when it suited her. Mr. Bingley was just twenty three years old when he was tempted by an accidental recommendation to look at Netherfield House. He did look at it, and into it for half an hour, was pleased with the location and the main rooms, satisfied with what the owner said in its praise, and took it at once.

Between him and Darcy there was a very steady friendship, though they were absolutely opposite in character. Bingley attracted Darcy by the easiness, openness and docility of his temper, though no character could be of a greater contrast to his own, and though with his own temper he was never dissatisfied. Bingley had a greatest respect for Darcy and his judgement and opinion. Bingley was by no means stupid, but in intelligence, Darcy was the superior. He was clever. He was at the same time haughty, reserved, and hard to please, and his manners, though well-bred, were not pleasing. Therefore, everybody liked Bingley wherever he appeared; Darcy was always giving offense.

This difference between them could be clearly seen when they discussed the Meryton assembly. Bingley had never met with more pleasant people or prettier girls in his life; everybody had been most kind and attentive to him; there had been no formality; he had soon felt acquainted with everybody in the room; and, as to Miss Bennet, he could not think of an angel more beautiful. Darcy, on the contrary, had seen a collection of people in whom there was little beauty and no fashion; he hadn't felt the smallest interest for anybody of them, and from nobody received either attention or pleasure. He agreed that Miss Bennet was pretty, but she smiled too much.

Mr. Bingley's sisters agreed with Mr. Darcy. But they liked Miss Bennet, said she was a sweet girl, and they would like to know more of her. Thus their brother felt that he was free to think of her as he chose.

Chapter 5

At a walking distance from Longbourn there was Lucas Lodge. The Bennets were on very friendly terms with the Lucases. Sir William Lucas had made a tolerable fortune in trade in Meryton, and had risen to knighthood when he had been the mayor of that town. After that he thought it beneath him to be in trade and to live in a small market town. He bought a house about a mile from Meryton, known from that period as Lucas Lodge, where he could think with pleasure of his own importance. But, being by nature friendly, he was all attention to everybody.

Lady Lucas was a very good woman, not too clever to be a useful neighbor to Mrs. Bennet. They had several children. The eldest of them, a sensible, intelligent young woman, about twenty-seven, was Elizabeth's close friend.

In the morning after the assembly the Miss Lucases arrived at Longbourn to talk about the ball.

«You began the evening well, Charlotte», said Mrs. Bennet to Miss Lucas. «You were Mr. Bingley's first choice».

«Yes; but he seemed to like his second better».

«Oh! you mean Jane, I suppose, because he danced with her twice. To be sure that did seem as if he admired her, I rather believe he did».

«Didn't I tell you? I heard when Mr. Robinson asked him how he liked our Meryton assemblies, and whether he thought there were a great many pretty women in the room, and which he thought the prettiest, he immediately answered the last question: Oh! the eldest Miss Bennet, beyond a doubt; there cannot be two opinions on that point», Charlotte said.

«Upon my word! Well, that seems as if… but, however, it may all come to nothing, you know».

«Mr. Darcy is not so well worth listening to as his friend, is he? Poor Eliza!.. to be only just tolerable», said Charlotte.

«I would ask you not to put it into Lizzy's head to be annoyed by his ill-treatment; he is so unpleasant that it would be quite a misfortune to be liked by him. Mrs. Long told me last night that he sat close to her for half an hour without once opening his lips».

«Are you quite sure, ma'am? Is not there a little mistake?» said Jane. «I certainly saw Mr. Darcy speaking to her».

«It was only because she asked him at last how he liked Netherfield, and he had to answer her; but she said he seemed quite angry at being spoken to».

«I do not mind his not talking to Mrs. Long», said Miss Lucas, «but I wish he had danced with Eliza».

«Another time, Lizzy», said her mother, «I would not dance with him, if I were you».

«I believe, ma'am, I may safely promise you never to dance with him».

«There is an excuse for his pride», said Miss Lucas. «No wonder, that so very fine a young man, with family, fortune, everything in his favour, should think highly of himself. He has a right to be proud, if I may say so».

«That is very true», replied Elizabeth, «and I could easily forgive his pride, if he had not humiliated mine».

«By all that I have ever read, I am convinced that pride», remarked Mary, «is a very common flaw, and that there are very few of us who don't feel proud of themselves for some quality or other, real or imaginary. Vanity and pride are different things, though the words are often used synonymously. A person may be proud without being vain. Pride relates more to our opinion of ourselves, vanity to what we would have others think of us».

Chapter 6

The ladies of Netherfield soon paid a visit to those of Longbourn and invited them to visit Netherfield. Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley praised Miss Bennet's pleasing manners; and though the mother was found to be intolerable, and the younger sisters not worth speaking to, they expressed a wish to be better acquainted with the two eldest. Jane was pleased by this attention, but as Elizabeth understood, that they were kind to Jane just because of their brother's admiration, she could not like them. It was clearly seen whenever they met, that Bingley admired her, and Elizabeth knew that Jane was very much in love; but she was pleased to know that other people wouldn't discover it because Jane was capable of not showing her strong feelings to the whole world. She talked about this to her friend Miss Lucas.

«But if a woman hides her feeling with the same skill from the object of it», replied Charlotte, «she may lose the opportunity of fixing him. There are very few of us who have heart enough to be really in love without encouragement. In nine cases out of ten a woman had better show more love than she feels. Bingley likes your sister undoubtedly; but he may never do more than like her, if she does not help him on».

«But Jane helps him on as much as her nature will allow. If I can feel her love for him, he must be a simpleton, indeed, not to discover it too».

«Remember, Eliza, that he does not know Jane's character as you do».

«But if a woman is attracted to a man, and does not try to hide it, he must find it out».

«Perhaps he must, if he sees enough of her. But Bingley and Jane meet mostly at large parties where they can't have long talks together. Jane should therefore make the most of every half-hour in which she can have his attention. When she is sure of his affection, she can freely fall in love with him as much as she chooses».

«This is a good plan», replied Elizabeth, «if you just want to get married, to get a rich husband, or any husband, but these are not Jane's feelings; she is not acting by design. And I think that now she isn't even certain of how deep her own feeling is or how reasonable. She has known him only a fortnight. They danced and dined at a few parties in Meryton. This is not quite enough to make her understand his character».

«Well», said Charlotte, «happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance. If the characters of the parties are well known to each other or so similar beforehand, it does not help their happiness in the least. Later on, they always grow different enough to have their share of annoyance; and it is better to know as little as possible of the defects of the person with whom you are to pass your life».

«It is funny, Charlotte; but you know it is not right, and you would never act in this way yourself».

Elizabeth was so busy watching Mr. Bingley's attentions to her sister that she didn't notice his friend's growing interest to herself. Mr. Darcy had at first looked at her without admiration, criticized her features to his friends. And suddenly he saw that her face was made uncommonly intelligent by the beautiful expression of her dark eyes. Though his critical mind had found no perfect symmetry in her form, his eyes found her figure light and pleasing; and in spite of his saying that her manners were not those of the fashionable world, he was charmed by their easy playfulness. Elizabeth was perfectly unaware of all that; to her he was only the man who made himself pleasant nowhere, and who had not thought her handsome enough to dance with.

Wishing to know more of her, Mr. Darcy began listening to her conversation with others. At a large party at Sir William Lucas's she noticed that he was listening to her conversation with Colonel Forster. She said to her friend Charlotte that if he listened to her conversations again, she would let him know that she had noticed it.

«He has a very satirical eye, and if I do not begin by being impolite myself, I shall soon grow afraid of him».

So, when Mr. Darcy came near them, Miss Lucas provoked her to speak to him. Elizabeth turned to him and said:

«Did you not think, Mr. Darcy, that I spoke uncommonly well just now, when I was jokingly persuading Colonel Forster to give us a ball at Meryton?»

«With great energy; but it is always a subject which makes a lady energetic».

«You are stern to us».

«It will be her turn soon to be persuaded», said Miss Lucas. «I am going to open the instrument, Eliza, and you know what follows».

«You are a very strange friend! Always wanting me to play and sing before anybody and everybody! If my vanity had been to be praised for my musical talents, you would have been invaluable. In fact, I would prefer not to sing before those who must be used to hearing the very best performers». As Miss Lucas persisted, she agreed, «Very well, if it must be so, it must». And glancing at Mr. Darcy, she added, «There is a fine old saying, which is well known to everybody here, of course: „Keep your breath to cool your porridge“; and I shall keep mine to intensify my song».

Her singing was pleasing, though by no means brilliant. Several guests asked her to sing more, but before she could reply, the instrument was eagerly occupied by her sister Mary, who, not being pretty, had worked hard for knowledge and accomplishments, and always liked to demonstrate them.

Mary played rather well, but she had neither genius nor taste; her vanity had made her pedantic and conceited, and such manners would have spoilt even a higher degree of excellence than she had reached. Elizabeth, easy and natural, had been listened to with much more pleasure, though not playing half so well. At the end of a long concerto, her younger sisters asked her to play some Scotch and Irish melodies, and, with some of the Lucases, and two or three officers, joined eagerly in dancing at one end of the room.

Mr. Darcy was annoyed by this way of passing the evening, just dancing and no conversation. He stood there silently and didn't see Sir William Lucas till he addressed him.

«What a charming amusement for young people this is, Mr. Darcy! There is nothing like dancing after all. It is one of the first refinements of polished society».

«Certainly, sir; and it has the advantage also of being in vogue amongst the less polished societies of the world. Every savage can dance».

Sir William tried to engage Mr. Darcy in conversation, but wasn't successful. He saw Elizabeth moving towards them, and called out to her:

«My dear Miss Eliza, why are you not dancing? Mr. Darcy, you must allow me to present this young lady to you as a very desirable partner. You cannot refuse to dance, I am sure, when so much beauty is before you». Mr. Darcy though very much surprised, was not unwilling to dance with her, but Elizabeth suddenly stepped back and said to Sir William:

«Really, sir, I have not the least desire of dancing. Please, don't think that I moved this way in order to ask for a partner».

Mr. Darcy in a very proper manner asked her for the honour to dance with her.

«Mr. Darcy is all politeness», said Elizabeth, smiling, and turned away.

Her refusal had not offended the gentleman, and he was thinking of her with some good nature, when Miss Bingley interrupted his thoughts:

«I can guess what you are thinking of».

«I don't think so».

«You are thinking how unbearable it would be to spend many evenings in such society; and indeed I am quite of your opinion. I was never more annoyed! Such tastelessness, the nothingness, and yet the self-importance of all those people! I would gladly hear your critical remarks on them!»

«Your guess is quite wrong, I can assure you. My mind was more pleasingly engaged. I have been meditating on the very great pleasure which a pair of fine eyes in the face of a pretty woman can give».

Miss Bingley looked at him sharply and asked what lady had inspired such thoughts. Mr. Darcy seriously replied:

«Miss Elizabeth Bennet».

«Miss Elizabeth Bennet!» exclaimed Miss Bingley. «I am all astonishment. Well, when am I to wish you happiness?»

«I was absolutely sure you would ask this very question. A lady's imagination runs exactly this way: from admiration to love, from love to marriage».

«Well, if you are serious about it, the matter is absolutely settled. You will be having a charming mother-in-law, indeed; and, of course, she will always be at Pemberley with you».

His indifference to her remarks showed her that all was safe, and she continued to entertain herself in this manner for a long time.

Chapter 7

Mr. Bennet's estate brought him two thousand a year, and, unfortunately for his daughters, was entailed on a distant relative because he had no son of his own. Mrs. Bennet's father had been an attorney in Meryton, and had left her four thousand pounds. It was quite enough for her situation in life, but it couldn't help her husband's situation.

She had a sister married to a Mr. Phillips, who had been a clerk to their father and continued his business, and a brother settled in London in a respectable line of trade.

Meryton was only one mile from the village of Longbourn, and the young ladies usually walked there three or four times a week, to pay their duty to their aunt and to a milliner's shop just on the way. Catherine and Lydia, the youngest Bennet girls, visited Meryton most often. They were more vacant minded than their sisters, and their favourite occupation in the morning was to walk to Meryton and to learn some country news from their aunt, thus supplying conversation in the evening. At present, indeed, they were well supplied both with news and happiness by the arrival in the neighborhood of a militia regiment which was to stay the whole winter, and Meryton was the headquarters. They could talk of nothing but officers; and Mr. Bingley's large fortune, which occupied their mother's mind so much, was worthless in their eyes as compared to the regimentals of an ensign.

After listening one morning to their enthusiastic talk on this subject, Mr. Bennet coolly remarked:

«From all that I can collect by your manner of talking, you must be two of the silliest girls in the country. I have suspected it some time, but I am now convinced».

Catherine fell silent, but Lydia, with perfect indifference, continued to express her admiration of Captain Carter, and her hope of seeing him in the course of the day, as he was going to London the next morning.

«My dear Mr. Bennet, you must not expect young girls to have the mind of their father and mother. When they get to our age, they will not think about officers any more than we do. I remember the time when I liked a red coat myself very well… and, indeed, so I do still at my heart; and if a young colonel, with five or six thousand a year, should want one of my girls, I shall not say nay to him; and I thought Colonel Forster looked very becoming the other night at Sir William's in his regimentals».

The conversation was interrupted by the entrance of the servant 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 asking, while her daughter read,

«Well, Jane, who is it from? What is it about? What does he say? Well, Jane, tell us, my love».

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

«MY DEAR FRIEND,

Please, come to dine to-day with Louisa and me. My brother and the gentlemen are to dine with the officers, so we'll 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. Yours ever, CAROLINE BINGLEY»

«The gentlemen are dining out», said Mrs. Bennet, «that is very unlucky».

«Can I have the carriage?» said Jane.

«No, my dear, you had better go on horseback, because it seems likely to rain; and then you'll have to stay all night».

«That would be a good scheme», said Elizabeth, «if you were sure that they would not offer to send her home».

«Oh! But the gentlemen will have Mr. Bingley's carriage to go to Meryton».

«I would prefer to go in the carriage».

«But, my dear, the horses are wanted in the farm, I am sure. Mr. Bennet, are they not?»

The horses were, indeed, engaged. Jane had therefore to go on horseback. Her mother's hopes for a bad day were answered; Jane had not been gone long before it rained hard. Her sisters were sorry for her, but her mother was delighted. The rain continued the whole evening; Jane certainly could not come back.

The next morning, a servant from Netherfield brought the following note for Elizabeth:

«MY DEAREST LIZZY

I find myself very unwell this morning, due, I suppose, to my getting wet through yesterday. My kind friends will not hear of my returning till I am better. They insist also on my seeing Dr. Jones. Therefore, do not be alarmed if you hear of his visit. And, except a sore throat and headache, there is not much the matter with me. Yours, etc».

«Well, my dear», said Mr. Bennet, when Elizabeth had read the note aloud, «if your daughter dies, it would be a comfort to know that it was all in pursuit of Mr. Bingley and under your orders».

«Oh! I am not afraid of her dying. People do not die of little colds. She will be taken good care of».

Elizabeth was really worried and decided to go to Netherfield to see Jane. She was no horsewoman, so walking was her only alternative. Her mother said she would get dirty walking through wet dirty fields and not fit to be seen.

«I will be very fit to see Jane, and that is all I want. It's only three miles. I'll be back by dinner».

Catherine and Lydia walked with Elizabeth as far as Meryton because Lydia hoped to see Captain Carter before he went to London. In Meryton they parted and Elizabeth continued her walk alone, crossing field after field at a quick pace, jumping over puddles with impatient activity. When she reached the house, her shoes and stockings were dirty, and her face was glowing with the warmth of exercise.

She was shown into the breakfast room, where her appearance created a great deal of surprise. Elizabeth was sure that Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley disapproved of her walking alone, and in such dirty weather. However, they received her very politely. In their brother's manners there was good humor and kindness. Mr. Darcy said very little. He was divided between admiration of the brilliance given to her complexion by the exercise, and doubt that there was any need for her coming so far alone. Mr. Hurst said nothing at all. He was thinking only of his breakfast.

She was told that her sister was very feverish, and not well enough to leave her room. Elizabeth was taken to her immediately; Jane was delighted at her entrance. She didn't feel strong enough, however, and when Miss Bingley left them together, could say little besides expressions of gratitude for the extraordinary kindness she was treated with.

When the doctor examined Jane, he said that she had caught a severe cold, advised her to return to bed, and promised to bring her some medicine. The advice was followed readily, for the feverish symptoms increased, and her head ached badly. Elizabeth did not leave her room for a moment; the other ladies were not often absent either: the gentlemen were out, and they had, in fact, nothing to do elsewhere.

When the time came for Elizabeth to leave, Jane felt very ill and didn't want to part with her. Miss Bingley offered Elizabeth to stay at Netherfield for the present. Elizabeth was most thankful, and a servant was sent to Longbourn to inform the family and bring back a supply of clothes.

Chapter 8

When Elizabeth came down to dinner, Mr. Bingley expressed his sincere anxiety about Jane's condition. She had to say that Jane was by no means better. The sisters, on hearing this, repeated three or four times how much they sympathized with Jane, how shocking it was to have a bad cold, and then thought no more of the matter. Their brother's anxiety for Jane was evident, and his attentions to herself most pleasing. She had very little notice from any but him. Miss Bingley's attention was all for Mr. Darcy, and so was her sister's. Mr. Hurst, by whom Elizabeth sat, was an idle man, who lived only to eat, drink, and play at cards, who, when he found her to prefer a plain dish to a ragout, had nothing to say to her.

Right after dinner she returned to Jane, and Miss Bingley began criticizing her as soon as she was out of the room: her manners were very bad indeed, a mixture of pride and impertinence; she had no conversation, no style, no beauty. Mrs. Hurst agreed with her, and added:

«She has nothing, in short, to recommend her, except being an excellent walker. I shall never forget her appearance this morning. She really looked almost wild».

«You are right, Louisa. Her hair, so untidy. And why come at all? Why must she be running about the country because her sister had a cold?»

«Yes, and her petticoat: six inches deep in mud, I am absolutely certain».

Bingley said he hadn't noticed Elizabeth's dirty petticoat. In his opinion she looked remarkably well when she came into the room that morning.

Miss Bingley said that Elizabeth's behaviour showed conceited independence, a most country-town indifference to propriety.

«It shows an affection for her sister that is very pleasing», said Bingley.

«I am afraid, Mr. Darcy», remarked Miss Bingley in a half whisper, «that this adventure has rather acted on your admiration of her fine eyes».

«Not at all», he replied, «they were brightened by the exercise». After a short pause Mrs. Hurst began again:

«I like Miss Jane Bennet very much, she is really a very sweet girl, and I wish with all my heart she were well married. But with such father and mother, and such low connections, I am afraid there is no chance of it».

«I think I have heard you say that their uncle is an attorney in Meryton».

«Yes; and they have another, who lives somewhere near Cheapside».

«That is fine», added her sister, and they both laughed merrily.

«If Cheapside were full of their uncles», cried Bingley «it would not make them one jot less pleasant».

«But it must very materially lessen their chance of marrying men of any respectable status in the world», remarked Darcy.

Bingley made no answer to that statement, but his sisters fully agreed with it.

Elizabeth stayed with Jane till late in the evening. When her sister fell asleep, it seemed to her rather right than pleasant that she should go downstairs. On entering the drawing-room she found the whole party at cards and was invited to join them. As she suspected that they were playing high, she declined it, and making her sister the excuse, said she would amuse herself for the short time she could stay below, with a book. Mr. Hurst looked at her with astonishment.

«Do you prefer reading to cards?» said he, «that is rather singular».

«Miss Eliza Bennet», said Miss Bingley, «is a great reader, and has no pleasure in anything else».

«I deserve neither such praise nor such criticism», exclaimed Elizabeth; «I am not a great reader, and I have pleasure in many things».

«In nursing your sister I am sure you have pleasure», said Bingley; «and I hope the pleasure will soon increase by seeing her quite well».

Elizabeth thanked him from her heart, and then walked towards the table where a few books were lying. He offered to fetch her other books from his library and said he now wished his collection were larger.

«But I am an idle fellow, and though I have not many, I have more than I ever looked into».

Elizabeth assured him that she could suit herself perfectly with those in the room.

«What a delightful library you have at Pemberley, Mr. Darcy!» Miss Bingley said.

«It ought to be good», he replied, «it has been the work of many generations».

«And you are always buying books».

«I cannot understand the neglect of a family library at the time like this».

«Neglect! I am sure you neglect nothing that can add to the beauties of that noble place. Charles, when you build your house, I wish it may be half as delightful as Pemberley»

«I wish it may».

«And I think you should buy an estate in that neighborhood, and take Pemberley as a model. There is not a finer county in England than Derbyshire».

«With all my heart; I will buy Pemberley itself if Darcy will sell it».

«I am talking of possibilities, Charles».

«Upon my word, Caroline, I should think it more possible to get Pemberley by purchase than by imitation».

Elizabeth got so interested in that conversation that she soon put her book aside and stationed herself between Mr. Bingley and his eldest sister, to watch the game.

Miss Bingley asked Mr. Darcy about his sister and said that she was a most delightful girl, extremely accomplished for her age. She especially praised her performance on the pianoforte.

Mr. Bingley, with his usual good humor, said that all young ladies were quite accomplished.

«All young ladies accomplished! My dear Charles, what do you mean?» Miss Bingley exclaimed.

«Yes, all of them, I think. They all paint tables, cover screens, and net purses. And whenever a young lady is spoken of for the first time, they always inform you that she is very accomplished».

«Yes, many women are called accomplished for no more than netting a purse or covering a screen», said Darcy, «but I am very far from agreeing with you in your estimation of ladies in general. I cannot say that I know more than half a dozen ladies, who are really accomplished».

«Then», remarked Elizabeth, «there is a great deal more in your idea of an accomplished woman».

«Yes, there is a great deal in it».

«Oh! certainly», cried Miss Bingley, «an accomplished woman must have a thorough knowledge of music, singing, drawing, dancing, and the modern languages; and besides all this, she must possess a certain something in her appearance and manner of walking, the tone of her voice, her speech and expressions, or the word will be just half-deserved».

«And to all this», added Darcy, «she must also add something more important, she must improve her mind by extensive reading».

«I must say I've never seen such a woman. I've never seen such capacity, and taste, and elegance, so united».

Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley both started protesting that they knew many women who answered this description, when Mr. Hurst reminded them that they were supposed to play cards. All conversation came to an end, and Elizabeth soon afterwards left the room.

«Elizabeth Bennet», said Miss Bingley, when the door was closed on her, «is one of those young ladies who like to recommend themselves to the other sex by undervaluing their own; and with many men, I must say, it succeeds. But, in my opinion, it is a shameful manoeuvre, a very mean stratagem».

«Undoubtedly», replied Darcy, to whom this remark was chiefly addressed, «there is meanness in all the stratagems which ladies sometimes employ in order to captivate. Whatever resembles cunning is disreputable».

This reply didn't encourage Miss Bingley to continue the subject.

Elizabeth came down to say that her sister was worse, and that she could not leave her. Bingley wanted to send for the doctor immediately; after some discussion it was decided that the doctor should be sent for early in the morning if Miss Bennet were not much better. Bingley felt great anxiety; his sisters announced that they were sorrowful. They consoled themselves, however, by duets after supper, while their brother's way to ease his anxiety was to give his housekeeper directions that every attention must be paid to the sick lady and her sister.

Chapter 9

In the morning Jane felt better, but Elizabeth asked to send a note to Longbourn, desiring her mother to visit Jane, and form her own judgement of her condition. Mrs. Bennet, accompanied by her two youngest girls, reached Netherfield soon after the family breakfast.

Had she found Jane in any real danger, Mrs. Bennet would have been very unhappy. But she saw that her illness was not very serious; however, she didn't want Jane to leave Netherfield so soon. The doctor, who arrived about the same time, also thought that it wasn't at all advisable. After sitting a little while with Jane, on Miss Bingley's invitation, the mother and three daughters all followed her into the breakfast room. Bingley met them with hopes that Mrs. Bennet had not found Miss Bennet worse than she expected.

«Indeed I have, sir», she answered. «She is a great deal too ill to be moved. The doctor says we must not think of moving her. We must trespass a little longer on your kindness».

Bingley assured her that Jane would stay at Netherfield until she was fit to travel. Miss Bingley, with cold politeness, also said that Miss Bennet would receive every possible attention while she stayed with them.

Mrs. Bennet expressed her gratitude in many words.

«I am sure», she added, «without such good friends I do not know what would become of her, for she is very ill indeed, and suffers so much, though with the greatest patience in the world. She has, without exception, the sweetest temper I have ever met with. You have a sweet room here, Mr. Bingley, and a charming view from the windows. No place in the neighborhood is equal to Netherfield. I hope, you will not think of leaving it in a hurry».

«I do everything in a hurry», replied he; «I might leave Netherfield in five minutes. At present, however, I consider myself as quite fixed here».

«That is just what I've supposed about you», said Elizabeth.

«You begin to understand me, don't you?» cried he, turning towards her.

«Oh! Yes. I understand you perfectly».

«I wish I might take this for a compliment, but to be so easily seen through I am afraid isn't flattering».

«But it does not mean that your character is less admirable than a deep, complex one».

«Lizzy», cried her mother, «remember where you are, and do not run on in the wild manner that we suffer from you at home».

«The study of character must be amusing», Bingley said.

«Yes, but complex characters are the most amusing. They have at least that advantage».

«In a country neighborhood», said Darcy, «there are not many subjects for such study».

«But people themselves change so much, that there is always something new to be observed in them».

Mrs. Bennet got offended by Darcy's words and said that in the country there was as varied society as that in town.

Darcy didn't say anything to that, and Mrs. Bennet, feeling triumphant, continued.

«London has no great advantage over the country except the shops and public places. The country is a great deal pleasanter, is it not, Mr. Bingley?»

«When l am in the country», he replied, «I never wish to leave it; and when I am in town it is pretty much the same. They have each their advantages, and I can be equally happy in either».

«That is because your nature is so good. But that gentleman», looking at Darcy, «seemed to think the country was nothing at all».

«Indeed, Mamma, you are mistaken», said Elizabeth, blushing for her mother. «You've quite misunderstood Mr. Darcy. He only meant that you cannot meet such variety of people in the country as in the town, and you know it to be true».

«Certainly, my dear, but there are few neighborhoods larger than ours. I know we dine with four-and-twenty families».

For the sake of Elizabeth, Bingley kept himself from smiling. His sister was less delicate, and directed her eyes towards Mr. Darcy with a very expressive smile. To turn her mother's thoughts, Elizabeth asked her if Charlotte Lucas had been at Longbourn since her coming away.

«Yes, she called yesterday with her father. What an agreeable man Sir William is, Mr. Bingley, isn't he? So gentle and easy! He has always something to say to everybody. That is my idea of good breeding; and those persons who imagine themselves very important, and never open their mouths, quite mistake the matter».

«Did Charlotte dine with you?»

«No, she would go home. I think she was wanted about the mince-pies. For my part, Mr. Bingley, I always keep servants that can do their own work; my daughters are brought up very differently. But the Lucases are a very good sort of girls, I assure you. It is a pity they are not handsome! Not that I think Charlotte so very plain, but then she is our particular friend».

«She seems a very pleasant young woman».

«Oh, dear, yes; but one must admit she is very plain. Lady Lucas herself has often said so, and envied me Jane's beauty. Everybody says one does not often see anybody better looking. When she was only fifteen, there was a man at my brother Gardiner's in town so much in love with her that my sister-in-law was sure he would make her an offer before we came away. But, however, he did not. Perhaps he thought her too young. However, he wrote some very pretty verses on her».

«And so put an end to his affection», said Elizabeth impatiently. «I think there have been many cases of affection overcome in the same way. I wonder who first discovered the effectiveness of poetry in driving away love!»

«I have been used to consider poetry as the food of love», said Darcy.

«Of a fine, thick, healthy love it may. Everything nourishes what is strong already. But if it is only a slight, thin sort of fondness, I am convinced that one good sonnet will starve it entirely away».

Darcy only smiled. And a general pause followed. Elizabeth was afraid that her mother would say something stupid again. Though the lady wished to speak very much, she was unable to find anything to say. So after a short silence Mrs. Bennet repeated her thanks to Mr. Bingley for his kindness to Jane, with an apology for troubling him also with Lizzy, and ordered her carriage. Upon this signal, the youngest of her daughters put herself forward. The two girls had been whispering to each other during the whole visit, and the result of it was, that the youngest reminded Mr. Bingley of his promise to give a ball at Netherfield.

Lydia was a strong, well-grown girl of fifteen, with a fine complexion and good-humored face. She was a favourite with her mother, whose affection had brought her into society at an early age. She had high animal spirits, and a sort of natural self-importance, which the attention of the officers, to whom her uncle's good dinners, and her own easy manners recommended her, had increased into confidence. She was not afraid, therefore, to address Mr. Bingley on the subject of the ball, and not only to remind him of his promise, but to add also, that it would be the most shameful thing in the world if he did not keep it. His answer to this sudden attack was delightful to their mother's ear:

«I am perfectly ready, I assure you, to keep my promise; and when your sister is well again, you can name the day of the ball. But you would not wish to be dancing when she is ill».

Lydia was satisfied. «Oh! Yes, it would be much better to wait till Jane was well, and by that time most likely Captain Carter would be at Meryton again. And when you have given your ball», she added, «I'll insist on the regiment's giving one also. I'll tell Colonel Forster it'll be quite a shame if he does not».

Mrs. Bennet and her daughters then left, and Elizabeth returned instantly to Jane, leaving her own behaviour and that of her relatives to the remarks of the two ladies and Mr. Darcy. But, in spite of all Miss Bingley's witticisms on fine eyes, Elizabeth was unable to make him join in their critical remarks about her.

Chapter 10

During the day Elizabeth stayed with Jane. Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley had spent some hours of the morning with the sick girl, who continued, though slowly, to recover; and in the evening Elizabeth joined their party in the drawing-room. Mr. Darcy was writing a letter to his sister. Miss Bingley was watching the progress of his letter and repeatedly calling off his attention by messages to his sister. Mr. Hurst and Mr. Bingley were at piquet, and Mrs. Hurst was observing their game.

Elizabeth took up some needlework, and was listening to what passed between Darcy and his companion with great amusement. The endless praises of the lady either of his handwriting or the length of his letter, and the absolute indifference of the gentleman to them formed a curious dialogue, which was exactly in agreement with her opinion of each of them.

«Miss Darcy will be delighted to receive such a letter!»

No reaction.

«You write unusually fast».

«You are mistaken. I write rather slowly».

«Pray tell your sister that I long to see her».

«I have already told her so once, by your desire».

«How do you manage to make your lines so even?»

Silence.

«Tell your sister I am delighted to hear of her progress on the harp; and please let her know how I admire her beautiful little design for a table».

«Will you let me postpone your admiration till I write again? At present I have no space to put it down».

«Oh! It isn't important. I'll see her in January. But do you always write such charming long letters to her, Mr. Darcy?»

«They are usually long, but as to always charming it is not for me to say».

«I'm sure that a person, who can write a long letter with ease, cannot write badly».

«That will not do for a compliment to Darcy, Caroline», cried her brother, «he does not write with ease. He thinks too much about words of four syllables. Don't you, Darcy?»

«My style of writing is very different from yours».

«Charles writes so carelessly. He leaves out half his words, and blots the rest», said Miss Bingley.

«My ideas flow so rapidly that I have not time to express them, so my letters sometimes convey no ideas at all to my correspondents».

«Your modesty, Mr. Bingley», said Elizabeth, «must disarm criticism».

«Nothing is more deceptive», said Darcy, «than the appearance of modesty. It is often just carelessness and sometimes an indirect boast».

«And which of the two do you call my little recent piece of modesty?»

«The indirect boast. You are really proud of your defects in writing, because you believe them to be the result from rapidity of thought, and you think it's highly interesting. And when you told Mrs. Bennet this morning that if you ever decided to leave Netherfield you'd be gone in five minutes, you meant it to be a sort of compliment to yourself. But what is there so very praiseworthy in haste which must leave very necessary business undone, and can be of no real advantage to yourself or anyone else?»

«No», cried Bingley, «this is too much, to remember at night all the foolish things that were said in the morning. And yet, upon my honour, I believe what I said of myself to be true, and I believe it at this moment. At least, therefore, I did not pretend to the character of needless haste merely to show off before the ladies».

«I know you believe it; but lam by no means convinced that you would be gone so fast if, as you were mounting your horse, a friend were to say, „Bingley, you had better stay till next week“, you would probably do it, you would probably not go».

«By this», cried Elizabeth, «you have only shown Mr. Bingley's good nature much better than he did himself».

«Thank you», said Bingley, «for turning my friend's words into a compliment on the sweetness of my temper. But I am convinced he would certainly be of better opinion of me, if under such circumstance I refused to stay and rode off as fast as I could».

«Would Mr. Darcy then consider that your refusal to stay was justified by the sudden decision to go away?»

«Upon my word, I cannot exactly explain the matter; Darcy must speak for himself».

Darcy said he didn't have to explain the opinion he hadn't expressed.

«But you must remember, Miss Bennet, that the friend just asked him to return to the house, without offering any argument in favour of its necessity».

«To yield readily, easily, to the persuasion of a friend is no virtue with you».

«To yield without persuasion is no compliment to the intelligence of either».

«It seems, Mr. Darcy, you allow nothing for the influence of friendship and affection. Would you think poorly of a person if he yields to the desire of a friend, without waiting to be persuaded?»

«Before we continue, won't it be better, if we determine the degree of importance of that friend's request more precisely, as well as the degree of intimacy between the parties?»

«By all means», cried Bingley, «let us hear all the details, not forgetting their comparative height and size. I assure you, Miss Bennet, if Darcy were not such a great tall fellow, in comparison with myself, I would not yield to him half so much. I must say I don't know a more awful object than Darcy, on certain occasions, and in certain places; at his own house especially, and of a Sunday evening, when he has nothing to do».

Mr. Darcy smiled. But Elizabeth felt that he was rather offended, and, therefore, didn't laugh.

«I see, Bingley», said his friend. «You dislike reasoning, and want to stop this».

«Perhaps I do. Reasoning is too much like debate. If you and Miss Bennet postpone yours till I am out of the room, I'll be very thankful; and then you may say whatever you like of me».

«What you ask», said Elizabeth, «is no sacrifice on my side; and Mr. Darcy had much better finish his letter».

Later in the evening Mr. Darcy asked Miss Bingley and Elizabeth to entertain them with some music. Miss Bingley went quickly to the pianoforte; then she politely asked Elizabeth to lead the way. Elizabeth politely and sincerely refused, and Miss Bingley seated herself.

Mrs. Hurst sang with her sister, and while they were singing, Elizabeth noticed, as she turned over some music-books that lay on the instrument, how frequently Mr. Darcy's eyes were fixed on her. Since she could not imagine that she could be an object of admiration to so great a man, she decided that she drew his notice only because there was something most wrong about her, according to his ideas of right, than in any other person present. That thought did not pain her. She liked him too little to care for his approval.

After playing some Italian songs, Miss Bingley began a lively Scotch air. Mr. Darcy asked Elizabeth if she would like to dance.

She smiled, but made no answer. He repeated the question, with some surprise at her silence.

«Oh!» said she, «I heard you before, but I could not immediately determine what to say in reply. You wanted me, I know, to say „Yes“, that you might have the pleasure of despising my taste; but I always like overthrowing those kind of schemes. I have, therefore, made up my mind to tell you, that I do not want to dance at all, and now despise me if you dare».

«Indeed I do not dare».

Elizabeth rather expected that Mr. Darcy would be offended, and was surprised by his gallantry. There was a mixture of sweetness and archness in her manner which made it difficult for her to offend anybody. Darcy had never been so charmed by any woman as he was by her. He really felt, that if it were not for the lower position of her relatives, he would be in some danger.

Miss Bingley was jealous and wanted to get rid of Elizabeth. She often tried to talk of their supposed marriage, planning his happiness in such an alliance.

«I hope», said she, as they were walking together in the shrubbery the next day, «you will give your mother-in-law a few hints, when this pleasant event takes place, as to the advantage of holding her tongue; and if you can achieve it, please, cure the younger girls of running after officers. And try to control that little something, bordering on conceit and impertinence, which your lady possesses».

«Have you anything else to propose for my domestic happiness?»

«Oh! Yes. Put the portraits of your uncle and aunt Phillips next to your great-uncle the judge in the gallery at Pemberley They are in the same profession, you know, only in different lines. As for your Elizabeth's portrait, you must not have it painted. No painter could do justice to those beautiful eyes».

«It would not be easy, indeed, to catch their expression, but their colour and shape, and the eyelashes, so remarkably fine, might be copied».

At that moment they were met from another path by Mrs. Hurst and Elizabeth herself.

«I did not know that you intended to walk», said Miss Bingley, in some confusion. She was afraid that they had been overheard.

Mrs. Hurst joined Mr. Darcy and Miss Bingley, and left Elizabeth to walk by herself. The path just admitted three. Mr. Darcy felt their rudeness, and immediately said:

«This walk is not wide enough for our party. We had better go into the avenue».

But Elizabeth, who had not the least wish to remain with them, laughingly answered:

«No, no, stay where you are. You are charmingly grouped. The picture would be spoilt by admitting a fourth. Good-bye».

She then ran merrily off. She hoped to be at home again in a day or two. Jane was much better already.

Chapter 11

After dinner Elizabeth ran up to her sister and led her down to the drawing-room. Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley expressed great pleasure at seeing her and were pleasant to her before the gentlemen appeared. But when the gentlemen entered, Jane was no longer the first object. Miss Bingley's eyes were instantly turned toward Darcy, and she had something to say to him at once. He addressed himself to Miss Bennet, with a polite congratulation on her recovery. Bingley was full of joy and attention. He made Jane sit at the fireplace, that she might be further from the door. He then sat down by her, and talked mostly to her. Elizabeth, at work in the opposite corner, saw it all with great pleasure.

When tea was over, Darcy took up a book; Miss Bingley did the same. But Miss Bingley wasn't interested in her own book; she was watching Mr. Darcy's progress through his book. All the time she was asking him questions or looking at his page. However, he just answered her question, and read on. At last, she yawned and said, «How pleasant it is to spend an evening in this way! There is no enjoyment like reading!»

No one said anything. She yawned again, put aside her book, and looked round the room. As she heard her brother mentioning a ball to Miss Bennet, she turned towards him and said:

«Charles, if are you really serious about a dance at Netherfield, I would advise you to consult the wishes of the present party; I think there are some among us to whom a ball would be rather a punishment than a pleasure».

«If you mean Darcy», cried her brother, «he may go to bed, if he chooses, before it begins. The ball is quite a settled thing».

«I think», she replied, «balls would be much better if conversation instead of dancing were made the order of the day».

«My dear Caroline, it would not be near so much like a ball».

Miss Bingley didn't say anything to that, but got up and walked about the room. Her figure was elegant, and she walked well; but Darcy, whom she wanted to attract, was still reading on. She was desperate and decided to make one effort more. She turned to Elizabeth and said:

«Miss Eliza Bennet, let me persuade you to follow my example, and take a turn about the room. I assure you it is very refreshing after sitting so long».

Elizabeth was surprised, but agreed to it immediately. Miss Bingley succeeded at last: Mr. Darcy looked up. He was also surprised by Miss Bingley's attention to Elizabeth, and involuntarily closed his book. Miss Bingley invited him to join their party, but he said that his joining them would interfere with two motives for their choosing to walk up and down the room together.

«What could he mean?» Miss Bingley asked Elizabeth.

«I don't know», was her answer, «but I think he means to be severe on us, and the best way to disappoint him will be to ask nothing about it».

Miss Bingley, however, was incapable of disappointing Mr. Darcy in anything, and asked him to explain what he had meant by two motives.

«I'm ready to explain them», said he. «You either have secret affairs to discuss, or you know that your figures are shown to the greatest advantage in walking; if the first, I would be completely in your way, and if the second, I can admire you much better as I sit by the fire».

«Oh! Shocking!» cried Miss Bingley. «I never heard anything so abominable. How shall we punish him for such a speech?»

«Nothing so easy», said Elizabeth. «Tease him, laugh at him. You know him well; you must know how it is to be done».

«But I don't know how. Tease calmness of manner and presence of mind! No, no; I feel he may disregard us there. And as to laughter, Mr. Darcy can't be a subject to laughter».

«Mr. Darcy is not to be laughed at!» cried Elizabeth. «That is an uncommon advantage. I wouldn't like to have many such acquaintances. I dearly love a laugh».

«The wisest and best actions of men», said Mr. Darcy «may be shown ridiculous by a person whose first object in life is a joke».

«Certainly» replied Elizabeth- «there are such people, but I hope I never ridicule what is wise and good. Follies and nonsense amuse me and I laugh at them whenever I can. But I suppose, they are not your traits».

«Perhaps that is not possible for anyone. But all my life I tried to avoid those weaknesses which don't protect a strong intelligence from ridicule».

«Such as vanity and pride».

«Yes, vanity is a weakness indeed. But as to pride, where there is a real superiority of mind, pride will be always under good control».

Elizabeth turned away to hide a smile.

«So, your examination of Mr. Darcy is over», said Miss Bingley; «and what is the result?»

«I am perfectly convinced that Mr. Darcy has no defect. He thinks so himself».

«No», said Darcy, «I have made no such pretension. I have defects enough, but I hope they are not the defects of intelligence. I'm afraid I can't vouch for my temper. I very seldom yield. I cannot forget the follies and vices of others as soon as I ought to, nor their offenses against myself. My good opinion once lost, is lost forever».

«That is a defect indeed!» cried Elizabeth. «Unforgettable resentment is a shade in a character. But you have chosen your defect well. I really cannot laugh at it. You are safe from me».

«There is, I think, in every character a tendency to some defect, which not even the best education can overcome».

«And your defect is to hate everybody».

«And yours», he replied with a smile, «is stubbornly to misunderstand them».

Miss Bingley, tired of a conversation in which she had no share, asked Mrs. Hurst to play the pianoforte.

Darcy also didn't object. He began to feel the danger of paying Elizabeth too much attention.

As Jane felt much better, the sisters decided it was time for them to go home. Elizabeth wrote the next morning to their mother asking to send the carriage for them in the course of the day. But Mrs. Bennet wanted her daughters to stay at Netherfield till the following Tuesday, which would exactly finish Jane's week. Therefore, she sent them word that they could not possibly have the carriage before Tuesday. Elizabeth didn't want to stay there any longer and felt that their presence at Netherfield was not very much desirable to some of its inhabitants. She asked Jane to borrow Mr. Bingley's carriage immediately. Mr. Bingley tried to persuade Miss Bennet that it would not be safe for her, that she was not well enough. But Jane was firm where she felt herself to be right.

Mr. Darcy was pleased that the sisters were leaving. Elizabeth had been at Netherfield long enough. She attracted him more than he liked. He decided to show no sign of admiration. True to his decision, he scarcely spoke ten words to her through the whole of Saturday, and though they were at onetime left by themselves for half-an-hour, he just read his book, and would not even look at her.

On Sunday Jane and Elizabeth returned home. Mrs. Bennet was not pleased. She was sure Jane would have caught cold again. But Mr. Bennet was really glad to see them: he had missed their lively conversation in the evenings.

Chapter 12

«I hope, my dear», said Mr. Bennet to his wife, as they were at breakfast the next morning, «that you have ordered a good dinner to-day, because I have reason to expect an addition to our family party».

Mrs. Bennet's eyes sparkled. «It is Mr. Bingley, I am sure! Well, I am sure I shall be extremely glad to see Mr. Bingley».

«No», said her husband, «it is a person whom I never saw in my whole life».

There followed an astonished chorus of questions from his wife and all his five daughters at once. Mr. Bennet showed them a letter.

«It is from my cousin, Mr. Collins, who, when I am dead, may turn you all out of this house as soon as he pleases».

Mrs. Bennet started complaining angrily about the cruelty of settling an estate away from a family of five daughters, in favour of a man whom nobody cared anything about.

«I think it is the hardest thing in the world, that your estate should be entailed away from your own children; and I am sure, if I had been you, I would have tried long ago to do something or other about it».

«It certainly is a most immoral affair», said Mr. Bennet, «and nothing can clear Mr. Collins from the guilt of inheriting Longbourn. But after listening to his letter, you may perhaps be a little softened by his manner of expressing himself».

«I think it is very impertinent of him to write to you at all, and very hypocritical. I hate such false friends. Why could he not keep on quarreling with you, as his father did before him?»

«Why, indeed; it seems he has had some doubts concerning that, as you will hear».

«Hunsford, near Westerham, Kent, 15th October.

Dear Sir,

The disagreement between yourself and my late honoured father always gave me much uneasiness, and since I have had the misfortune to lose him, I have often wished to improve the situation. But for some time I was kept back by my own doubts, fearing that it might seem disrespectful to his memory for me to be on good terms with anyone with whom he had been pleased to quarrel. There, Mrs. Bennet. My mind, however, is now made up on the subject, for having received ordination at Easter, I have been fortunate to be distinguished by the patronage of the Right Honorable Lady Catherine de Bourgh, widow of Sir Lewis de Bourgh, who entrusted me with the valuable rectory of this parish, where I will serve with grateful respect towards her ladyship, and perform those ceremonies which are instituted by the Church of England. As a clergyman, moreover, I feel it my duty to help establish peace in all families within the reach of my influence; and therefore I hope that the circumstance of my being next in the entail of Longbourn estate will be kindly overlooked on your side, and not lead you to reject the offered olive-branch. I regret to be the means of hurting your charming daughters, and wish to apologies for it, as well as to assure you of my readiness to make up for it in every possible manner – but of this later. If you should have no objection to receive me into your house, I ask your permission to visit you and your family, Monday November 18th, by four o'clock, and probably trespass on your hospitality till Saturday, which I can do without any inconvenience, as Lady Catherine is far from objecting to my occasional absence on a Sunday, provided that some other clergyman is engaged to do the duty of the day. I remain, dear sir, with respectful compliments to your lady and daughters, your well-wisher and friend,

WILLIAM COLLINS»

«At four o'clock, therefore, we may expect this peacemaking gentleman», said Mr. Bennet, as he put down the letter. «He seems to be a most conscientious and polite young man, upon my word, and will prove a valuable acquaintance, especially if Lady Catherine should be so kind as to let him come to us again».

«There is some sense in what he says about the girls, however, and if he is willing to help them in anyway, I shall not be the person to discourage him».

«Though it is difficult», said Jane, «to guess in what way he can mean to help us, the wish itself is certainly to his credit».

Elizabeth was mainly impressed by his extraordinary respect for Lady Catherine, and his kind intention of christening, marrying, and burying his parishioners whenever it was required.

«He must be an oddity, I think», said she. «I cannot make him out. There is something very pompous in his style. And what can he mean by apologizing for being next in the entail? We cannot suppose he would help it if he could. Could he be a sensible man, sir?»

«No, my dear, I think not. I have great hopes of finding him quite the opposite. There is an interesting mixture of servility and self-importance in his letter. I am impatient to see him».

Mary thought that the letter was well composed and expressed. Catherine and Lydia were not interested in their cousin at all since he was not an officer. As for their mother, Mr. Collins's letter had softened her feelings towards him, and she was preparing to see him with a degree of calmness which astonished her husband and daughters.

When Mr. Collins arrived, he was received with great politeness by the whole family. Mr. Bennet said little, but the ladies were ready enough to talk, and Mr. Collins didn't need any encouragement for conversation. He was a tall, heavy-looking young man of five-and-twenty He was serious and his manners were very formal. He complimented Mrs. Bennet on having such beautiful daughters and said he had no doubt about their happy marriages in due time. This gallantry was not much to the taste of some of his hearers; but Mrs. Bennet, who quarreled with no compliments, answered most readily.

«I wish all my daughters to be well married indeed because at present things are settled so oddly».

«You mean, perhaps, the entail of this estate».

«Ah! Yes, sir. It is a sad affair to my poor girls, you must agree. Not that it is your fault; such things I know are all chance in this world. There is no knowing how estates will go when they come to be entailed».

«I am fully aware, madam, of the hardship to my fair cousins, and could say much on the subject, but I don't wish to seem impertinent and hasty. I can assure the young ladies that I come prepared to admire them. At present I will not say more; but, perhaps, when we are better acquainted…»

He was interrupted by an invitation to dinner, and the girls smiled at each other. They were not the only objects of Mr. Collins's admiration. The hall, the dining-room, and all its furniture, were examined and praised. Mrs. Bennet would have been flattered by his admiration if she hadn't thought he was looking at everything as his own future property. The dinner too was highly admired, and he wanted to know which of his fair cousins was so excellent at cooking. But Mrs. Bennet told him rather severely that they were very well able to keep a good cook, and that her daughters had nothing to do in the kitchen. He begged pardon for having displeased her. In a softened tone she said she was not at all offended; but he continued to apologize for about a quarter of an hour.

Chapter 13

While the servants were serving dinner, Mr. Bennet spoke very little, but when they left, he thought it time to have some conversation with his guest. He remarked that Mr. Collins was very fortunate in his patroness. Lady Catherine de Bourgh's attention to his wishes, and concern for his comfort, seemed quite extraordinary. Mr. Bennet could not have chosen better. Mr. Collins became most solemn in his manner and said that «he had never in his life seen such behaviour in a person of rank, such friendliness and condescension, as he had himself experienced from Lady Catherine. She had asked him twice to dine at Rosings. Many people he knew considered Lady Catherine proud, but he had never seen anything but friendliness in her. She had always spoken to him as she would to any other gentleman; she made not the smallest objection to his joining in the society of the neighborhood or to his leaving the parish occasionally for a week or two, to visit his relatives. She had even condescended to advise him to marry as soon as he could, provided he chose with discretion; and had once paid him a visit in his humble abode, where she had perfectly approved all the changes he had been making, and had even condescended to suggest some herself: some shelves in the closet upstairs».

Mrs. Bennet asked if lady Catherine lived near Mr. Collins.

«The garden in which stands my humble abode is separated only by a lane from Rosings Park, her ladyship's residence».

«I think you said she was a widow, sir? Has she any family?»

«She has only one daughter, the heiress of Rosings, and of very extensive property».

Mrs. Bennet then wanted to know what sort of young lady the daughter was, whether she was beautiful.

Mr. Collins said Miss de Bourgh was a most charming young lady indeed, but unfortunately of a sickly constitution, which has prevented her from making that progress in many accomplishments which she could have otherwise achieved, as he was informed by the lady who supervised her education.

«Has she been presented? I do not remember her name among the ladies at court».

«Her poor state of health unhappily prevents her being in town. As I told Lady Catherine one day, that has deprived the British court of its brightest ornament. Her ladyship seemed pleased with the idea; and you may imagine that I am happy on every occasion to offer those little delicate compliments which are always acceptable to ladies».

«You possess the talent of flattering with delicacy», said Mr. Bennet, «and may I ask whether you pay these pleasing compliments on an impulse, or are they the result of previous composition?»

«They arise chiefly from what is passing at the time, and though I sometimes amuse myself with composing such little elegant compliments as may be adapted to ordinary occasions, I always try to make them sound as spontaneous as possible».

Mr. Bennet's expectations were fully answered. His cousin was as absurd as he had hoped, and he listened to him with great enjoyment, keeping at the same time the most serious expression on his face, and only occasionally glancing at Elizabeth.

By tea-time, however, the dose had been enough, and Mr. Bennet was glad to take his guest into the drawing-room again, and, when tea was over, glad to invite him to read aloud to the ladies. Mr. Collins readily agreed, but when a book was produced, he started back and said that he never read novels. Other books were produced, and he chose Fordyce's Sermons. Before he had, with very monotonous solemnity, read three pages, Lydia interrupted him addressing to her mother:

«Do you know, mamma, that my uncle Phillips talks of dismissing Richard, and if he does, Colonel Forster will hire him. I shall walk to Meryton to-morrow to hear more about it, and to ask when Mr. Denny comes back from town».

Mr. Collins, much offended, laid aside his book, and said:

«It's a pity young ladies are so little interested by serious books, though written solely for their benefit. It surprises me, I must say; for, certainly, there can be nothing so advantageous to them as instruction. But I will no longer bore my young cousin».

Mrs. Bennet and her daughters apologized most politely for Lydia's interruption, and promised that it would not happen again, if he would start reading again. But Mr. Collins, assuring them that no offence was taken, turned to Mr. Bennet and offered himself as his partner at backgammon. Mr. Bennet accepted the offer, saying that he acted very wisely in leaving the girls to their own silly amusements.

Chapter 14

The greatest part of his life Mr. Collins had spent under the guidance of an illiterate and mean father. He was not a sensible man, and neither education nor society had been able to improve that natural defect because at university he had simply passed the necessary terms, without forming any useful acquaintance with his fellow students. His father had brought him up in complete subordination, which had given him great servility of manner; but it was now a great deal counteracted by the self-importance of a weak head, living alone, and the feelings of early and unexpected prosperity. A fortunate chance had recommended him to Lady Catherine de Bourgh when the living of Hunsford was vacant; and the respect which he felt for her high rank, and his servility for her as his patroness, in combination with a very good opinion of himself, of his authority as a clergyman, and his right as a rector, made him altogether a mixture of pride and servility, self-importance and humility.

Now that he had a good house and a very sufficient income, he was thinking of getting married, and he thought that his marrying one of the Bennet sisters, if he found them beautiful and pleasant, would be a very suitable, generous, and disinterested on his own part way to make peace with the Longbourn family.

His first choice fell on Jane because she was not only lovely but also the eldest daughter, and Mr. Collins was convinced that it was only right for the senior daughter to be the first to be married. But his plan had to be changed after a tete-a-tete with Mrs. Bennet before breakfast the next morning when she hinted that Miss Bennet was likely to be very soon engaged. So, Mr. Collins changed at once from Jane to Elizabeth, equally next to Jane in birth and beauty. Mrs. Bennet felt that she might soon have two daughters married; therefore, the man whom she could not hear of the day before was now high in her good graces.

After breakfast every sister except Mary agreed to walk to Meryton with Lydia, and Mr. Collins was to accompany them, at the request of Mr. Bennet, who was most anxious to get rid of him, and have his library to himself. In his library he had been always sure of leisure and calm; and though prepared, as he told Elizabeth, to meet with foolishness and conceit in every other room of the house, he wanted to be free from them there. Therefore, he most promptly invited Mr. Collins to join his daughters in their walk.

In Meryton the attention of the young ladies was caught by a young man of most gentlemanlike appearance, whom they had never seen before, walking on the other side of the street with Mr. Denny. Kitty and Lydia, under pretense of wanting something in an opposite shop, led the way across the street, and fortunately gained the pavement just when the two gentlemen had reached the same spot. Mr. Denny addressed them at once, and introduced his friend, Mr. Wickham, who had returned with him the day before from town because he had accepted a commission in their regiment. The young man was handsome, had a good figure, and very pleasing manners. The introduction was followed up on his side by a happy readiness of conversation, a readiness at the same time perfectly correct and unaffected. The whole party were still standing and talking together, when Darcy and Bingley appeared riding down the street. On recognizing the ladies of the group, the two gentlemen came directly towards them, and began the usual polite conversation. Bingley said to Miss Bennet that he was on his way to Longbourn to inquire after her health. Mr. Darcy confirmed it with a bow, and trying not to fix his eyes on Elizabeth, he suddenly saw the stranger. As their eyes met, their faces changed colour, one looked white, the other red. Mr. Wickham, after a few moments, touched his hat – a salutation which Mr. Darcy just condescended to return. Elizabeth saw that strange reaction and was extremely surprised. And, of course, she got curious about the meaning of it.

In another minute, Mr. Bingley and his friend left them and rode on.

Mr. Denny and Mr. Wickham walked with the young ladies to the door of Mr. Phillip's house, and then made their bows. Mrs. Phillips was always glad to see her nieces, and the two eldest, because of their recent absence, were particularly welcome, and she was eagerly expressing her surprise at their sudden return home from Netherfield, when her attention was drawn towards Mr. Collins by Jane's introduction of him. She received him with her very best politeness, which he returned with as much more, apologizing for his intrusion, without any previous acquaintance with her, which, however, might be justified by his relationship to the young ladies who introduced him to her. Mrs. Phillips was impressed by such an excess of good breeding. Her younger nieces were eager to have some information from her about Mr. Wickham, but she could only tell them what they already knew, that Mr. Denny had brought him from London, and that he was to have a lieutenant's commission in the… shire. Some of the officers were to dine with the Phillipses the next day and their aunt promised to make her husband call on Mr. Wickham, and give him an invitation also, if the family from Longbourn would come in the evening. This was agreed to, and they parted in mutual good spirits. Mr. Collins repeated his apologies in leaving the room, and was assured with as much politeness that they were perfectly needless.

Chapter 15

When Mr. Collins and his five cousins arrived at Meryton and were shown into their aunt's drawing room, the girls were pleased to hear that Mr. Wickham had accepted their uncle's invitation, and was then in the house.

While they were waiting for the gentlemen to finish their after dinner drinks in the dining room, Mr. Collins was at leisure to look around him and admire, and he was so much struck with the size and furniture of the room, that he compared it with the small summer breakfast room at Rosings. At first, Mrs. Phillips took offence at such comparison, but when she understood from him what Rosings was, and who was its owner, when she had listened to the description of only one of Lady Catherine's drawing rooms, and found that the chimneypiece alone had cost eight hundred pounds, she felt all the force of the compliment. He found in Mrs. Phillips a very attentive listener, whose opinion of his importance increased with what she heard, and who was going to make it known among her neighbors as soon as she could. To the girls, who could not listen to their cousin, and who only wished to have some music and dancing, the interval of waiting seemed very long. It was over at last, however. The gentlemen appeared, and when Mr. Wickham walked into the room, he was the happy man towards whom almost every female eye was turned, and Elizabeth was the happy woman by whom he finally seated himself. He immediately started conversation, and though it was only on its being a wet night, Elizabeth felt that the dullest topic might be made interesting by the skill of the speaker.

With such rivals for the notice of the fair ladies as Mr. Wickham and the officers, Mr. Collins found at intervals a kind listener in Mrs. Phillips only. When the card-tables were placed, she invited him to play at whist.

Mr. Wickham did not play at whist and was gladly received at the other table between Elizabeth and Lydia. At first it seemed that Lydia would monopolize him completely, but as she was extremely fond of lottery tickets, she soon grew too much interested in the game to have attention for anyone. Mr. Wickham was therefore free to talk to Elizabeth, and she was very willing to hear him. Though she chiefly wished to hear the history of his acquaintance with Mr. Darcy, she dared not even mention that gentleman. Her curiosity however, was unexpectedly satisfied. Mr. Wickham began the subject himself. He asked how far Netherfield was from Meryton, and then, with some hesitation, how long Mr. Darcy had been staying there.

«About a month», said Elizabeth. Then, wishing to hear more on the subject, she added, «He is a man of very large property in Derbyshire, I understand».

«Yes», replied Mr. Wickham; «his estate there is an excellent one. A clear ten thousand a year. No other person can give you more certain information about that than myself, for I have been connected with his family from my infancy».

Elizabeth looked a great deal surprised.

«You may be surprised, Miss Bennet, at this statement, after seeing, as you probably did, the very cold manner of our meeting yesterday. Are you much acquainted with Mr. Darcy?»

«As much as I ever wish to be», cried Elizabeth very emotionally. «I have spent four days in the same house with him, and I find him very unpleasant».

«I have known him too long and too well to be a fair judge», said Wickham. «It is impossible for me to be impartial. But I think your strong opinion of him would astonish other people».

«I can say he is not at all liked in Hertfordshire. Everybody is displeased with his pride. You will not find him more favourably spoken of by anyone».

«I'm afraid», said Wickham, after a short pause, «the world is blinded by his fortune and importance, or frightened by his high and proud manners, and sees him only as he chooses to be seen».

«I think him, even on my slight acquaintance, to be an ill-tempered man». Wickham only shook his head. Then he said he wanted to know whether Mr. Darcy was going to stay at Netherfield much longer. Elizabeth didn't know anything about it, but she hoped that Mr. Darcy's being in the neighborhood would not affect Mr. Wickham's plans.

«Oh! No, I won't be driven away by Mr. Darcy. If he doesn't want to see me, he must go. We are not on friendly terms, and it always gives me pain to meet him, but I have no reason for avoiding him except a sense of very great ill-usage, and most painful regrets at his being what he is. His father, Miss Bennet, the late Mr. Darcy, was one of the best men that ever lived, and the truest friend I ever had. This Mr. Darcy's behaviour to myself has been scandalous, but I think I could forgive him anything and everything except his disappointing the hopes of his father and disgracing his memory».

Elizabeth listened to him with growing interest, but thought it indelicate to ask more questions.

Mr. Wickham turned to more general topics, Meryton, the neighborhood, the society.

«It was the prospect of good society», he said, «that was my chief motive to enter the… shire. I knew the regiment to be a most respectable one, and my friend Denny tempted me even more by his description of a gallant society in Meryton. Society is necessary to me. I have been a disappointed man, and I don't like solitude. I must have work and society. A military life was not my aim in life. I was brought up for the church, and now I would have possessed a very good living if that had pleased the gentleman we were speaking of just now».

«Indeed!»

«Yes, the late Mr. Darcy, in his will, left me the best vacant living as his gift. He was my godfather, and loved me a lot. He was so kind to me. He wanted to provide enough for me, and thought he had done it; but when the living got vacant, it was given elsewhere».

«Good heavens!» cried Elizabeth. «How could it happen that his will was ignored? Why didn't you ask for legal help?»

«There was informality in the terms of the will which didn't give me any hope to get help from law. Mr. Darcy chose to treat it as just a conditional recommendation, and to say that I had lost all privilege to it by extravagance, imprudence, in short anything or nothing. The living became vacant two years ago and was given to another man. I haven't done anything impertinent or imprudent to deserve to lose it. Perhaps, having a warm, unguarded temper, I had spoken my opinion of him, and to him, too freely. I can remember nothing worse. But the fact is, that we are very different sort of men, and that he hates me».

«This is quite shocking! He deserves to be publicly disgraced».

«Some time or other he will be, but I cannot forget his father, so I can never expose him».

Elizabeth thought him to be a very honourable man and even handsomer than ever.

«But what», asked she, after a pause, «can have been his reason for such cruelty?»

«A deep dislike of me born by jealousy. His father's unusual affection for me irritated him, I think, very early in life. He could not stand the sort of preference which was often given me».

Elizabeth was shocked by such injustice, such inhumanity on the part of Mr. Darcy.

After a few minutes' silence she said, «I remember his saying one day, at Netherfield, that he is consistent in his resentments, has an unforgiving temper. His character must be dreadful».

Wickham said he couldn't be just in his judgment of Darcy's character.

Elizabeth was again deep in thought, and after a time exclaimed, «To treat like this his companion from childhood, connected together in the closest manner!»

«The greatest part of our youth was passed together. We lived in the same house, shared the same amusements, were objects of the same parental care. My father devoted all his time to the care of the Pemberley property. He was most deeply respected by Mr. Darcy, a most intimate, trustworthy friend. When, immediately before my father's death, Mr. Darcy gave him a voluntary promise of providing for me, I am convinced that he felt it to be as much a debt of gratitude to him, as of his affection to myself».

«How strange!» cried Elizabeth. «The very pride of this Mr. Darcy should have kept him from being unjust to you! There is no pride in dishonesty, and he treated you dishonestly».

«It is amazing», replied Wickham, «for almost all his actions may be traced to pride; pride had often been his best friend. But we are none of us consistent, and in his behaviour to me there were stronger impulses even than pride».

«Can such detestable pride as his have ever done him good?»

«Yes. It has often led him to be liberal and generous, to give his money freely, to show hospitality, to help his tenants, and support the poor. Family pride and filial pride, for he is very proud of what his father was, have done this. He has also brotherly pride, which, with some brotherly affection, makes him a very kind and careful guardian of his sister. Everybody says he is the most attentive and best of brothers».

«What sort of girl is Miss Darcy?»

He shook his head. «I wish I could call her friendly. It gives me pain to speak badly of a Darcy. But she is too much like her brother: very, very proud. As a child, she was affectionate and pleasing, and extremely fond of me; I have devoted hours and hours to her amusement. But she is nothing to me now. She is a handsome girl, about fifteen or sixteen, and, I understand, highly accomplished. Since her father's death, her home has been London, where a lady lives with her, and supervises her education».

«I am astonished at his intimacy with Mr. Bingley! How can Mr. Bingley, who is good humor itself, be in friendship with such a man? Do you know Mr. Bingley?» Elizabeth asked.

«Not at all».

«He is a friendly, charming man. He cannot know what Mr. Darcy is».

«Probably not, but Mr. Darcy can please where he chooses. He can be a real conversationalist if he thinks it worth his while. Among those who are his equals in social importance, he is a very different man from what he is to the less prosperous. His pride never leaves him; but with the rich he is liberal-minded, just, sincere, honourable, and perhaps pleasant».

The whist party soon afterwards broke up, and the players gathered round the other table. Mr. Collins sat down between his cousin Elizabeth and Mrs. Phillips. Mrs. Phillips asked him about his success at whist. He said he had lost, but asked her not to feel uneasy about it.

«I know very well, madam», said he, «that when persons sit down to a card-table, they must take their chances of these things, and happily my circumstances allow me to lose five shillings without much regret. There are undoubtedly many who could not say the same, but thanks to Lady Catherine de Bourgh, I am far beyond the necessity of paying attention to little matters».

Mr. Wickham got interested, and after watching Mr. Collins for a few moments, he asked Elizabeth in a low voice whether her relative was very intimately acquainted with the family of de Bourgh.

«Lady Catherine de Bourgh», she replied, «has recently given him a living. I don't know how she first noticed Mr. Collins, but he certainly has not known her long».

«You know of course that Lady Catherine de Bourgh and Lady Anne Darcy were sisters; consequently that she is aunt to the present Mr. Darcy».

«No, indeed, I did not. I knew nothing at all of Lady Catherine's connections. I never heard of her existence till the day before yesterday».

«Her daughter, Miss de Bourgh, will have a very large fortune, and it is expected that she and her cousin Mr. Darcy will unite the two estates».

This information made Elizabeth smile, as she thought of poor Miss Bingley. All her attentions, her affection for his sister and her praise of himself must be in vain and useless if he was already destined for another.

«Mr. Collins», said she, «speaks highly both of Lady Catherine and her daughter. But from some details in his stories about her ladyship, I suspect his gratitude misleads him, and that in spite of her being his patroness, she is an arrogant, conceited woman».

«I think she is both in a great degree», replied Wickham. «I have not seen her for many years, but I very well remember that I never liked her, and that her manners were dictatorial and offensive. She has the reputation of being remarkably sensible and clever, but I think she gets this reputation partly from her rank and fortune, partly from her authoritative manner, and the rest from the pride for her nephew, who chooses that everyone connected with him should have an intelligence of the first class».

Elizabeth thought that he had given a very reasonable description of it, and they continued talking together, with mutual satisfaction till supper put an end to cards, and gave the rest of the ladies their share of Mr. Wickham's attentions. There could be no conversation in the noise of Mrs. Phillips's supper party, but his manners recommended him to everybody. Whatever he said, was said well; and whatever he did, done gracefully. Elizabeth went away with her head full of him. She thought of Mr. Wickham and of what he had told her all the way home. But she wasn't able even to mention his name as they went, for neither Lydia nor Mr. Collins were silent for a moment. Lydia talked of lottery tickets, of what she had lost and what she had won; and Mr. Collins described the politeness of Mr. and Mrs. Phillips, repeated again and again that he did not in the least regret his losses at whist, enumerated all the dishes at supper, and had more to say than he could manage before the carriage stopped at Longbourn House.

Chapter 16

The next day, Elizabeth told Jane about her conversation with Mr. Wickham. Jane was astonished and worried; it was difficult for her to believe that Mr. Darcy could be so unworthy of Mr. Bingley's respect; and yet, it was not in her nature to question the honesty of a young man of such pleasant appearance as Wickham.

«They have both», said she, «been deceived, perhaps, in some way or other, of which we can form no idea. Interested people have perhaps misrepresented each to the other. It is, in short, impossible for us to guess the causes or circumstances which had set them against each other, without factual blame on either side».

«Very true, indeed; and now, my dear Jane, what have you got to say about those interested people? Defend them too, or we shall be obliged to think badly of somebody».

«Laugh as much as you choose, but you will not laugh me out of my opinion. My dearest Lizzy, just think in what shameful light it places Mr. Darcy, to be treating his father's favourite in such a manner, one whom his father had promised to provide for. It is impossible. No respectable man, no man who cared for his good reputation, could be capable of it. Can his most intimate friends be so greatly deceived in him? Oh, no!»

«I can much more easily believe that this friendship has been imposed on Mr. Bingley, than that Mr. Wickham has invented such history of himself as he gave me last night; names, facts, everything. If it is not so, let Mr. Darcy contradict it. Besides, there was truth in his looks».

«It is difficult indeed, it is upsetting. One does not know what to think».

«I beg your pardon; one knows exactly what to think».

The sisters were called from the shrubbery, where this conversation passed, by the arrival of the very persons of whom they had been speaking; Mr. Bingley and his sisters came to give their personal invitation for the long-expected ball at Netherfield, which was fixed for the following Tuesday. Mr. Bingley's sisters were delighted to see their dear friend Jane again, called it an age since they had met, and repeatedly asked what she had been doing with herself since their separation. To the rest of the family they paid little attention, avoiding Mrs. Bennet as much as possible, saying not much to Elizabeth, and nothing at all to the others. They soon hurried to leave Longbourn as if eager to escape from Mrs. Bennet's polite exclamations.

The prospect of the Netherfield ball was extremely pleasant to every female of the family. Mrs. Bennet was flattered by receiving the invitation from Mr. Bingley himself, instead of a ceremonious card. Jane pictured to herself a happy evening in the society of her two friends, and the attentions of their brother; and Elizabeth thought with pleasure of dancing a great deal with Mr. Wickham, and of seeing a confirmation of everything in Mr. Darcy's behaviour. Though Catherine and Lydia, like Elizabeth, meant to dance half the evening with Mr. Wickham, he was by no means the only partner who could satisfy them. And even Mary could assure her family that she hadn't anything against a ball.

«While I can have my mornings to myself», said she, «I think it is no sacrifice to join occasionally in evening amusements».

Mr. Collins surprised Elizabeth when he said that he saw nothing improper in his joining in the evening's amusement.

«I am by no means of the opinion, I assure you», said he, «that a ball of this kind, given by a young man of good reputation, to respectable people, can have any evil tendency; I am so far from objecting to dancing myself, that I will hope to be honoured with the hands of all my fair cousins in the course of the evening, and I take this opportunity of asking yours, Miss Elizabeth, for the two first dances especially».

Though Elizabeth hoped to be engaged by Mr. Wickham for those very dances, she saw now that Mr. Wickham's happiness and her own were perforce delayed a little longer, and accepted Mr. Collins's proposal with as good a grace as she could. His gallantry pleased her even less because of the suspicion that she was selected from among her sisters as worthy of being mistress of Hunsford Parsonage. The suspicion soon became conviction, as she noticed his increasing politeness toward herself, and heard his frequent attempt at a compliment on her wit and vivacity. She understood by her mother's behavior that their marriage would please her extremely. Elizabeth, however, did not choose to take the hint. Mr. Collins might never make the offer, and till he did, it was useless to quarrel about him.

Chapter 17

Elizabeth was sure Mr. Wickham would be among the officers at Netherfield ball. She had dressed with more than usual care, and prepared in the highest spirits for the conquest of all that remained unconquered of his heart. But she looked in vain for him among the group of red coats assembled in the drawing room at Netherfield. In an instant arose the suspicion that Mr. Wickham hadn't been included in the Bingleys' invitation to the officers for Mr. Darcy's pleasure. Though this was not exactly the case, his friend Denny confirmed the absolute fact of his absence when Lydia asked him. He told them that Wickham had to go to town on business the day before, and hadn't yet returned, adding, with a meaningful smile, «I do not imagine his business would have called him away just now, if he had not wanted to avoid a certain gentleman here».

On hearing this, Elizabeth felt that Darcy was no less answerable for Wickham's absence than if her first guess had been just, and every feeling of displeasure against Mr. Darcy was so sharpened by her disappointment, that she could hardly reply with tolerable politeness to the well-mannered questions which he soon afterwards approached to make. Attention, patience with Darcy was offence to Wickham. She was determined against any sort of conversation with him, and turned away with a degree of bad temper which she could not wholly win even in speaking to Mr. Bingley, whose blind affection for Darcy irritated her.

But Elizabeth was not formed for bad temper, and though her own plans for the evening were destroyed, she could not be low-spirited long. Having told all her sorrows to Charlotte Lucas, whom she had not seen for a week, she was soon able to draw her friend's attention to her cousin Mr. Collins and make witty remarks as to the oddities of the young man. The first two dances, however, brought a return of disappointment; they were dances of shame and misery. Mr. Collins was awkward and apologized instead of making right movements. The moment of her release from him was ecstasy.

She danced next with an officer, and had the refreshment of talking of Wickham, and of hearing that he was universally liked. When those dances were over, she returned to Charlotte Lucas, and was in conversation with her, when she found herself suddenly addressed by Mr. Darcy who took her so much by surprise asking her for the next dance, that, without knowing what she did, she accepted him. He walked away again immediately, and she was left to worry over her own absence of mind; Charlotte tried to console her:

«You may find him a very pleasant partner».

«Heaven forbid! That would be the greatest misfortune of all! To find a man pleasant whom one is determined to hate! Do not wish me such evil».

When the dancing began, however, and Darcy came up to claim her hand, Charlotte advised her in a whisper, not to be a fool, and allow her fancy for Wickham to make her appear unpleasant in the eyes of a man ten times his social importance. Elizabeth made no answer, and took her place on the dance floor, amazed at the status to which she was raised by being allowed to stand opposite to Mr. Darcy, and reading in her neighbours' eyes their equal amazement. They danced for some time without speaking a word, and at first she was determined not to break silence; then suddenly she was struck by the idea that it would be a greater punishment to her partner to make him talk, and she made some remark on the dance. He replied, and was again silent. After a pause of some minutes, she addressed him a second time with: «It is your turn to say something now, Mr. Darcy. I talked about the dance, and you ought to make some sort of remark on the size of the room, or the number of couples».

He smiled, and assured her that whatever she wished him to say should be said.

«Very well. That reply will do for the present. Perhaps after a while, I may say that private balls are much pleasanter than public ones. But now we may be silent».

«Do you talk by rule, then, while you are dancing?»

«Sometimes. One must speak a little, you know. It would look odd to be silent for half an hour together; and yet for the advantage of some, conversation ought to be so organized, that they may have the trouble of saying as little as possible».

«Are you consulting your own feelings now, or do you imagine that you are satisfying mine?»

«Both», replied Elizabeth playfully. «I have always seen a great similarity in the turn of our minds. We are each of an unsocial, reserved nature, unwilling to speak, unless we expect to say something that will amaze the whole room, and be handed down to future generations with all the popularity of a proverb».

«This isn't very much like your own character, I am sure», said he. «How near it may be to mine, I cannot pretend to say. You think it a true portrait undoubtedly».

«I must not decide on my own behaviour».

He made no answer, and they were again silent for a while. Then he asked her whether she and her sisters often walked to Meryton. She answered in the affirmative, and, unable to resist the temptation, added, «When you met us there the other day, we had just been forming a new acquaintance».

The effect was immediate. His features became even more conceited, but he didn't say a word. At length Darcy spoke, and in a reserved manner said, «Mr. Wickham's happy manners help him to make friends easily; whether he may be equally capable of keeping them, is less certain».

«He has been so unlucky as to lose your friendship», replied Elizabeth, «and in such manner that he is going to suffer from it all his life».

Darcy didn't say anything; it seemed he wanted to change the subject. At that moment, Sir William Lucas, passing to the other side of the room, came near them. He stopped with a polite bow to compliment Darcy on his dancing and his partner.

«Such very excellent dancing is not often seen, and I hope to have this pleasure often repeated, especially when a certain desirable event, my dear Eliza (looking at her sister and Bingley), takes place. What congratulations will then follow! But let me not interrupt you, Mr. Darcy, you will not thank me for stopping the enchanting conversation of that young lady, whose bright eyes are also displeased with me».

Конец ознакомительного фрагмента.

Текст предоставлен ООО «ЛитРес».

Прочитайте эту книгу целиком, купив полную легальную версию на ЛитРес.

Безопасно оплатить книгу можно банковской картой Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, со счета мобильного телефона, с платежного терминала, в салоне МТС или Связной, через PayPal, WebMoney, Яндекс.Деньги, QIWI Кошелек, бонусными картами или другим удобным Вам способом.