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sort of conversation with him； and turned away with a degree of ill
humour； which she could not wholly surmount even in speaking to
Mr。 Bingley； whose blind partiality provoked her。
But Elizabeth was not formed for ill humour； and though every
prospect of her own was destroyed for the evening； it could not
dwell long on her spirits； and having told all her griefs to Charlotte
Lucas； whom she had not seen for a week； she was soon able to
make a voluntary transition to the oddities of her cousin； and to
point him out to her particular notice。 The two first dances；
however； brought a return of distress； they were dances of
mortification。 Mr。 Collins； awkward and solemn； apologising
instead of attending； and often moving wrong without being aware
of it； gave her all the shame and misery which a disagreeable
partner for a couple of dances can give。 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 in his
application for her hand； that； without knowing what she did； she
accepted him。 He walked away again immediately； and she was left
to fret over her own want of presence of mind； Charlotte tried to
console her。
‘I dare say you will find him very agreeable。’
‘Heaven forbid！—That would be the greatest misfortune of all！—
To find a man agreeable whom one is determined to hate！—Do not
wish me such an evil。’
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When the dancing recommenced； however； and Darcy
approached to claim her hand； Charlotte could not help cautioning
her in a whisper not to be a simpleton and allow her fancy for
Wickham to make her appear unpleasant in the eyes of a man of
ten times his consequence。 Elizabeth made no answer； and took
her place in the set； amazed at the dignity to which she was arrived
in being allowed to stand opposite to Mr。 Darcy； and reading in her
neighbours’ looks their equal amazement in beholding it。 They
stood for some time without speaking a word； and she began to
imagine that their silence was to last through the two dances； and
at first was resolved not to break it； till suddenly fancying that it
would be the greater punishment to her partner to oblige him to
talk； she made some slight observation 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 kind 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 by and
bye I may observe 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 entirely silent for half an hour together； and yet for the
advantage of some； conversation ought to be so arranged as that
they may have the trouble of saying as little as possible。’
‘Are you consulting your own feelings in the present case； or do
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you imagine that you are gratifying mine？’
‘Both；’ replied Elizabeth archly； ‘for I have always seen a great
similarity in the turn of our minds。—We are each of an unsocial；
taciturn disposition； unwilling to speak； unless we expect to say
something that will amaze the whole room； and be handed down to
posterity with all the eclat of a proverb。’
‘This is no very striking resemblance of your own character； I
am sure；’ said he。 ‘How near it may be to mine； I cannot pretend to
say。—You think it a faithful portrait undoubtedly。’
‘I must not decide on my own performance。’
He made no answer； and they were again silent till they had
gone down the dance； when he asked her if she and her sisters did
not very often walk 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。 A deeper shade of hauteur over…
spread his features； but he said not a word； and Elizabeth； though
blaming herself for her own weakness； could not go on。 At length
Darcy spoke； and in a constrained manner said；
‘Mr。 Wickham is blessed with such happy manners as may
ensure his making friends—whether he may be equally capable of
retaining them； is less certain。’
‘He has been so unlucky as to lose your friendship；’ replied
Elizabeth with emphasis； ‘and in a manner which he is likely to
suffer from all his life。’
Darcy made no answer； and seemed desirous of changing the
subject。 At that moment Sir William Lucas appeared close to them；
meaning to pass through the set to the other side of the room； but
on perceiving Mr。 Darcy he stopt with a bow of superior courtesy
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to compliment him on his dancing and his partner。
‘I have been most highly gratified indeed； my dear Sir。 Such
very superior dancing is not often seen。 It is evident that you
belong to the first circles。 Allow me to say； however； that your fair
partner does not disgrace you； and that I must hope to have this
pleasure often repeated； especially when a certain desirable event；
my dear Miss Eliza； （glancing at her sister and Bingley；） shall take
place。 What congratulations will then flow in！ I appeal to Mr。
Darcy：—but let me not interrupt you； Sir。—You will not thank me
for detaining you from the bewitching converse of that young lady；
whose bright eyes are also upbraiding me。’
The latter part of this address was scarcely heard by Darcy； but
Sir William’s allusion to his friend seemed to strike him forcibly；
and his eyes were directed with a very serious expression towards
Bingley and Jane； who were dancing together。 Recovering himself；
however； shortly； he turned to his partner； and said；
‘Sir William’s interruption has made me forget what we were
talking of。’
‘I do not think we were speaking at all。 Sir William could not
have interrupted any two people in the room who had less to say
for themselves。—We have tried two or three subjects already
without success； and what we are to talk of next I cannot imagine。’
‘What think you of books？’ said he； smiling。
‘Books—Oh！ no。—I am sure we never read the same； or not with
the same feelings。’
‘I am sorry you think so； but if that be the case； there can at
least be no want of subject。—We may compare our different
opinions。’
‘No—I cannot talk of books in a ball…room； my head is always
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full of something else。’
‘The present always occupies you in such scenes—does it？’ said
he； with a look of doubt。
‘Yes； always；’ she replied； without knowing what she said； for
her thoughts had