Chapter 6 (Pride and Prejudice (Full Cast))

01CHAPTER VI.

02The ladies of Longbourn soon waited on those of Netherfield.

03The visit was soon returned in due form.

04Miss Bennet's pleasing manners grew on the goodwill of Mrs.

05Hurst and Miss Bingley.

06And though the mother was found to be intolerable, and the younger sisters not worth speaking to, a wish of being better acquainted with them was expressed towards the two eldest.

07By Jane this attention was received with the greatest pleasure.

08But Elizabeth still saw superciliousness in their treatment of everybody, hardly accepting even her sister, and could not like them.

09Though their kindness to Jane, such as it was, had a value as arising in all probability from the influence of their brother's admiration.

10It was generally evident whenever they met that he did admire her, and to her it was equally evident that Jane was yielding to the preference which she had begun to entertain for him from the first, and was in a way to be very much in love.

11But she considered with pleasure that it was not likely to be discovered by the world in general, since Jane united with great strength of feeling, a composure of temper, and a uniform cheerfulness of manner which would guard her from the suspicions of the impertinent.

12She mentioned this to her friend Miss Lucas.

13"'It may perhaps be pleasant,' replied Charlotte, "'to be able to impose on the public in such a case.

14But it is sometimes a disadvantage to be so very guarded.

15If a woman conceals her affection with the same skill from the object of it, she may lose the opportunity of fixing him.

16And it will then be but poor consolation to believe the world equally in the dark.

17There is so much of gratitude or vanity in almost every attachment that it is not safe to leave any to itself.

18We can all begin freely.

19A slight preference is natural enough.

20But there are very few of us who have heart enough to be really in love without encouragement.

21In nine cases out of ten, a woman had better show more affection than she feels.

22Bingley likes your sister undoubtedly, but he may never do more than like her if she does not help him on.

23But she does help him on, as much as her nature will allow.

24If I can perceive her regard for him, he must be a simpleton indeed not to discover it too.' "'Remember, Eliza, that he does not know Jane's disposition as you do.' "'But if a woman is partial to a man, and does not endeavour to conceal it, he must find it out.' "'Perhaps he must, if he sees enough of her.

25But, though Bingley and Jane meet tolerably often, it is never for many hours together.

26And as they always see each other in large mixed parties, it is impossible that every moment should be employed in conversing together.

27Jane should therefore make the most of every half-hour in which she can command his attention.

28When she is secure of him, there will be more leisure for falling in love as much as she chooses.' "'Your plan is a good one,' replied Elizabeth, "'where nothing is in question but the desire of being well married.

29And if I were determined to get a rich husband, or any husband, I dare say I should adopt it.

30But these are not Jane's feelings.

31She is not acting by design.

32As yet, she cannot even be certain of the degree of her own regard, nor of its reasonableness.

33She has known him only a fortnight.

34She danced four dances with him at Meryton.

35She saw him one morning at his own house, and has since dined with him in company four times.

36This is not quite enough to make her understand his character.' "'Not as you represent it.

37Had she merely dined with him, she might only have discovered whether he had a good appetite.

38But you must remember that four evenings have also been spent together.

39And four evenings may do a great deal.' "'Yes, these four evenings have enabled them to ascertain that they both like vingt-un better than commerce.

40But with respect to any other leading characteristic, I do not imagine that much has been unfolded.' "'Well,' said Charlotte, "'I wish Jane success with all my heart.

41And if she were married to him to-morrow, I should think she had as good a chance of happiness as if she were to be studying his character for a twelvemonth.' Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance.

42If the dispositions of the parties are ever so well known to each other, or ever so similar beforehand, it does not advance their felicity in the least.

43They always continue to grow sufficiently unlike afterwards to have their share of vexation.

44And it is better to know as little as possible of the defects of the person with whom you are to pass your life.' "'You make me laugh, Charlotte.

45But it is not sound—you know it is not sound—and that you would never act in this way yourself.' Occupied in observing Mr.

46Bingley's attentions to her sister, Elizabeth was far from suspecting that she was herself becoming an object of some interest in the eyes of his friend.

47Mr.

48Darcy had at first scarcely allowed her to be pretty.

49He had looked at her without admiration at the ball, and when they next met he looked at her only to criticise.

50But no sooner had he made it clear to himself and his friends that she hardly had a good feature in her face, than he began to find it was rendered uncommonly intelligent by the beautiful expression of her dark eyes.

51To this discovery succeeded some others equally mortifying.

52Though he had detected with a critical eye more than one failure of perfect symmetry in her form, he was forced to acknowledge her figure to be light and pleasing.

53And in spite of his asserting that her manners were not those of the fashionable world, he was caught by their easy playfulness.

54Of this she was perfectly unaware.

55To her he was only the man who made himself agreeable nowhere, and who had not thought her handsome enough to dance with.

56He began to wish to know more of her, and, as a step towards conversing with her himself, attended to her conversation with others.

57His doing so drew her notice.

58It was at Sir William Lucas's where a large party were assembled.

59You were a very strange creature by way of a friend, always wanting me to play and sing before anybody and everybody.

60If my vanity had taken a musical turn you would have been invaluable.

61But as it is I would really rather not sit down before those who must be in the habit of hearing the very best performers." On Miss Lucas's persevering, however, she added, "'Very well.

62If it must be so, it must.' And gravely glancing at Mr.

63Darcy, there is a fine old saying which everybody here is of course familiar with.

64Keep your breath to cool your porridge, and I shall keep mine to swell my song.

65Her performance was pleasing, though by no means capital.

66After a song or two, and before she could reply to the entreaties of several that she would sing again, she was eagerly succeeded at the instrument by her sister Mary, who, having, in consequence of being the only plain one in the family, worked hard for knowledge and accomplishments, was always impatient for display.

67Mary had neither genius nor taste, and though vanity had given her application, it had given her likewise a pedantic air and conceited manner, which would have injured a higher degree of excellence than she had reached.

68Elizabeth, easy and unaffected, had been listened to with much more pleasure, though not playing half so well.

69And Mary, at the end of a long concerto, was glad to purchase praise and gratitude by Scotch and Irish airs at the request of her younger sisters, who, with some of the Lucases and two or three officers, joined eagerly in dancing at one end of the room.

70Mr.

71Darcy stood near them in silent indignation at such a mode of passing the evening to the exclusion of all conversation, and was too much engrossed by his thoughts to perceive that Sir William Lucas was his neighbour till Sir William thus began.

72What a charming amusement for young people this is, Mr.

73Darcy!

74There's nothing like dancing, after all.

75I consider it as one of the first refinements of polished society.

76Certainly, sir.

77And it has the advantage, also, of being in vogue amongst the less polished societies of the world.

78Every savage can dance.

79Sir William only smiled.

80Your friend performs delightfully.

81He continued, after a pause, on seeing Bingley join the group.

82And I doubt not that you are adept in the science yourself, Mr.

83Darcy?

84You saw me dance at Meryton, I believe, sir.

85Yes, indeed, and received no inconsiderable pleasure from the sight.

86Do you often dance at St.

87James's?

88Never, sir.

89Do you not think it would be a proper compliment to the place?

90It is a compliment which I never pay to any place if I can avoid it.

91You have a house in town, I conclude.

92Mr.

93Darcy bowed.

94I had once had some thought of fixing in town myself, for I am fond of superior society.

95But I did not feel quite certain that the heir of London would agree with Lady Lucas.

96He paused in hopes of an answer, but his companion was not disposed to make any.

97And Elizabeth, at that instant moving towards them, he was struck with the action of doing a very gallant thing, and called out to her.

98My dear Miss Eliza, why are you not dancing?

99Mr.

100Darcy, you must allow me to present this young lady to you as a very desirable partner.

101And taking her hand, he would have given it to Mr.

102Darcy, who, though extremely surprised, was not unwilling to receive it, when she instantly drew back and said, with some discomposure to Sir William, Indeed, sir, I have not the least intention of dancing.

103I entreat you not to suppose that I moved this way in order to beg for a partner.

104Mr.

105Darcy, with grave propriety, requested to be allowed the honour of her hand, but in vain.

106Elizabeth was determined.

107Nor did Sir William at all shake her purpose by his attempt at persuasion.

108You excel so much in the dance, Miss Eliza, that it is cruel to deny me the happiness of seeing you.

109And though this gentleman dislikes the amusement in general, he can have no objection, I am sure, to oblige us for one half-hour.

110Mr.

111Darcy is all politeness, said Elizabeth, smiling.

112He is, indeed.

113But, considering the inducement, my dear Miss Eliza, we cannot wonder at his complacence.

114For who would object to such a partner?

115Elizabeth looked archly and turned away.

116Her resistance had not injured her with the gentleman, and he was thinking of her with some complacency, when thus accosted by Miss Bingley.

117I can guess the subject of your reverie.

118I should imagine not.

119You are considering how insupportable it would be to pass many evenings in this manner, in such society.

120And, indeed, I am quite of your opinion.

121I was never more annoyed.

122The insipidity and yet the noise!

123The nothingness and yet the self-importance of all those people!

124What will I give to hear your strictures on them?

125Your conjecture is totally wrong.

126I assure you, my mind was more agreeably engaged.

127I have been meditating on the very great pleasure which a pair of fine eyes in the face of a pretty woman can bestow.

128Miss Bingley immediately fixed her eyes on his face and desired he would tell her what lady had the credit of inspiring such reflections.

129Mr.

130Darcy replied with great intrepidity.

131Miss Elizabeth Bennet.

132Miss Elizabeth Bennet?

133repeated Miss Bingley.

134I am all astonishment.

135How long has she been such a favourite?

136And pray when am I to wish you joy?

137That is exactly the question which I expected you to ask.

138A lady's imagination is very rapid.

139It jumps from admiration to love, from love to matrimony, in a moment.

140I knew you would be wishing me joy.

141Nay, if you are serious about it, I shall consider the matter is absolutely settled.

142You will be having a charming mother-in-law indeed.

143And of course she will always be at Pemberley with you.

144He listened to her with perfect indifference while she chose to entertain herself in this manner, and as his composure convinced her that all was safe, her wit flowed long.

145End of chapter 6 End of chapter 6